Bee stings and other things: Weird beauty treatments that actually work

WE TAKE a look through the world’s kookiest beauty procedures to discern what’s worth a look.

Gwyneth Paltrow has been known to indulge in a spot of apitherapy, which involves the ancient practice of using bee products for health.

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GWYNETH Paltrow recently admitted to having her face stung by bees to get rid of inflammation and scarring.

She isn’t the first youth-chasing celebrity to try a bizarre-sounding treatment, either. Years earlier, Demi Moore claimed that the secret behind her glowing complexion was letting leeches suck her blood.

Many more outlandish procedures are constantly popping up on the internet and social media, claiming to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, make eyes sparkle and remove sun spots, scars and other so-called flaws.

Some are a waste of your precious time and hard-earned cash.

Others are definitely worth considering, with clinical studies showing they do what they claim. The tricky bit, of course, is figuring out which treatments really do work.

“Treatments come and go all the time, and even medical professionals can find it difficult to know which ones are effective,” Dr Jeremy Cumpston of Ageless Clinics says.

“Your best bet is to do some research, talk to friends and family and ask your therapist to explain why they believe in their treatment modality.

“Don’t be put off by treatments that sound kind of weird. Sometimes they turn out to be the best.”

These are our current picks of the bunch.

ULTRASOUND SKIN TIGHTENING

HOLLYWOOD celebrity Jennifer Aniston is “not a fan” of Botox.

“I love lasers and [other non-invasive treatments such as] Thermage and Ultherapy.”

Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen production in the deepest layers of the skin.

... and after.

Before a Thermage non-surgical facelift.

Collagen is the main structural protein in connective tissue that keeps skin taut and smooth. We’re born with loads of it, but sun damage and ageing cause it to deteriorate.

Jenner Ching Mei Chan, clinical director at Cosmetic Medical Clinic in Sydney, says her clients achieve impressive results with immediate smoothing and lifting of skin.

This effect continues during the next two to three months as collagen production goes into overdrive. It’s more effective than lasers and radio-frequency machines as these only target the surface layers of skin, while Ultherapy delivers stimulation to a depth of around 4.55mm.

Necks become smoother and jawlines more defined, Jenner says. Even eyelids can benefit with fine lines and an easing of the dreaded “crepe” look.

An Ultherapy treatment takes about 90 minutes. It’s not fun, though. You’ll need to slather yourself in numbing cream and brace yourself for a creepy feeling of discomfort. But the results are worth it. Expect to pay about $700 (forehead) and $4500 (full face).

Learn more at au.ultherapy.com

HERBAL PEELS

AUSSIE actress Genna Chanelle Hayes is a fan of the herbal peel. The top layers of skin are resurfaced to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, smooth texture and minimise any pigmentation spots or mild scars.

Get a little crushed botanicals on your visage and reveal the lit-from-within glow.

Genna Chanelle.

Generally speaking, this type of peel relies on an acid of some kind, often glycolic or lactic. But pretty young Hollywood types are skipping the hardcore acids and instead turning to herbs to keep their complexions glowing.

Herbal peels rejuvenate skin and, better still, rely on nothing more than crushed botanicals. Think calendula and aloe vera for soothing, horsetail for detoxing, lungwort root for exfoliation, and chamomile to reduce inflammation and stimulate skin regeneration.

These all-natural ingredients are mixed into a paste and applied to the face and neck. This is then firmly massaged into the skin. In 20 minutes or so it’s removed to reveal a youthful, lit-from-within complexion. It’s all the rage with Hollywood starlets.

Herbal Aktiv Peel Skincare expert Sue Dann says the beauty of this peel is that it’s gentle, causes no injury to the skin and provides the same results as chemical versions.

Herbal peels aren’t a pamper treatment, but they’re not uncomfortable either. They cost from $240. Visit herbalpeel.com.au

SPARKLY EYES

BEAUTIFUL folk have a glint in the eye – a certain sexy sparkle (Chrissie Teigen is a case in point). You could put that down to good genes, or maybe it’s just clever contact lenses highlighting their limbal ring – the dark circle that separates the iris from the white of the eye.

Yes, it’s a thing. Apparently, men and women who have darker, more noticeable limbal rings are perceived as more attractive. And University of California research shows that a distinct limbal ring signifies health and beauty.

Chrissy Teigen.

Unlike coloured contact lenses of old, this new style of lenses don’t mask the iris of your eye, but instead highlight it with light-effect patterns that add depth and dimension to boost brightness.

“People notice something radiant about you rather than noticing your contact lens,” optometrist Dr Emma Gillies says.

Intrigued, I gave the lenses a try and loved the way they made my eyes pop in what I thought was a pretty, flirtatious way. I plan to wear them to parties and other special events.

Try 1-Day Acuvue Define in Natural Sparkle or Natural Shimmer, $57.60 (for a 30 pack).

Learn more at opsm.com.au

UPDATED VAMPIRE FACIAL

THIS treatment became popular after Kim Kardashian West announced she was a fan and posted a pic of herself looking bloodied and puffy. The reason for the bloodiness is this: the procedure, also known as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, kicks off with blood being taken.

The blood is then placed in a centrifuge in order to separate the red blood cells from the platelet-rich plasma. Once that’s done, the plasma is injected into the deep dermis or fat layer of the skin on your face, neck and/or décolletage.

The plasma is thought to stimulate the growth of collagen and elastin meaning less sagging, fine lines and even deeper wrinkles.

Cumpston has given the treatment a 2016 twist by skipping standard needles and instead using a Dermastamp – an electronic medical device with 18 needles that deliver up to 3200 micro punctures a minute.

He also provides his clients with a post-treatment cream that contains skin lightening agents, antioxidants and (wait for it) any left-over plasma. This plasma cream is snap frozen using liquid nitrogen.

That way, you can continue the treatment back at home.

“We know the platelets accelerate collagen and elastin formation resulting in younger, plumper, smoother skin,” Cumpston says.

“The take-home cream means you can continue that process.”

Vampire Facial prices vary depending on where you have the treatment carried out, and also how many areas you treat. At Ageless Clinics a PRP treatment for the face and neck costs $775. Your bespoke cream is included.

Visit agelessclinics.com.au

LIP TATTOO

REALITY star Kylie Jenner kicked off the full-lip trend when she opted for fillers (injections of a volume-boosting viscous substance) that gave her that pillowy, juicy pout. Today, though, it’s all about lip tattooing.

“The illusion of a sexy, full pout”. Picture: Fiona Harding

Kylie Jenner. Picture: Topshop

It sounds terrifying, but cosmetic guru Amy Jean Linnehan, who offers the treatment at her clinics throughout Australia, says it’s virtually pain-free.

The process is simple enough. First, an anaesthetic is applied in order to numb the area.

Then, a therapist draws on a lip line with a lip pencil to ensure you’re happy with the shape. Next, colour blends are chosen.

Generally, a deeper colour is used as an outline for the lips, then a softer, creamier version towards the centre and virtually none in the middle of the lip.

“This gives the illusion of a sexy, full pout,” Linnehan says.

Once you’re happy, tattooing begins. Those who’ve had the procedure say it’s similar to being stuck with a toothpick – repeatedly. Treatment usually lasts about 40 minutes and you can expect swelling immediately.

This wears off within 24 hours. Lips may peel a little during the first week.

The Kiss Me Lip Tint Tattoo is $1295, lasts up to a decade and includes a retouch follow-up.

Visit amyjean.com.au