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Sometimes the fountain of youth pours the putrid.
In search of younger-looking skin, humans have turned to all manner of questionable treatments, from bodily fluids to animal guts.
Here’s a rundown of a few of the more bizarre methods for turning back the clock.
Bird poop
Favored by age-defying actor Tom Cruise and power couple David and Victoria Beckham, a powdered bird poop facial — or what the Japanese call uguisu no fun — is a scat-based skin treatment that dates back centuries.
“Geishas and kabuki actors in the 18th century used nightingale droppings to remove their heavy makeup and whiten their faces,” Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology, previously told Page Six Style.
“The droppings were found to have naturally high levels of urea, which helps retain moisture in the skin, and guanine, an amino acid that imparts a luminescent quality to the skin and fights sun damage.”
Proponents of the fecal facial claim it can clear acne, minimize pores, and smooth skin.
Sheep placenta
A staple of traditional medicine, sheep placenta extract (SPE) is known for its wound healing, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
As of late, sheep placenta has made its way into facials and beauty products.
Advocates of the sac-based skin solution believe it is rich in proteins that stimulate collagen, thereby brightening and tightening the skin and aiding the treatment of sun damage.
However, the efficacy of such products and treatments is debatable.
“There is a small amount of research that claims placental products moisturize and tighten skin, but there is also evidence that claims the estrogen present in the placenta may cause problems,” New York-based dermatologist David Bank told Allure. “There are plenty of other effective anti-aging products that do not contain placental extract.”
Vampire facial
Aptly named for an immortal monster, this controversial skin treatment — which was developed by German orthopedic doctor Barbara Sturm — involves drawing blood from the arm, spinning it in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma, and then spreading a layer of it on the face, using needles to inject it deeper into the skin.
The facial gained notoriety after reality TV star Kim Kardashian posted a picture on Instagram showing the bloody skin treatment in 2013.
While the vampire facial can be safe if performed by licensed experts, improper needle handling has led to HIV infections among some youth seekers.
Sturm has also spearheaded the creation of a high-end face cream called MC1, infused with proteins from each user’s blood. The ever-ageless Cher is reportedly a fan.
Salmon sperm
Actress Jennifer Aniston and trendsetter Kim Kardashian both reportedly partake in the rejuvenating power of a salmon sperm facial
These fish-based facial treatments are believed to stimulate collagen production, increase cell turnover, and improve pigmentation and inflammation.
Salmon DNA is allegedly capable of regenerating skin cells and, in turn, helping treat acne scars, tighten pores, brighten skin tone, and smooth skin texture.
And science supports the spunk: A 2017 study found that salmon sperm helped repair cellular damage, accelerated wound healing, and reduced inflammation.
That same year, researchers developed a thin, transparent coating made from salmon sperm DNA that protects the skin from harmful UV light — a pivot away from SPF for sun protection.
A 2010 study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that the DNA in salmon sperm contained higher water content, increased skin elasticity, stronger collagen levels, and increased production of hyaluronic acid.
Menstrual blood
Bloody good skincare?
Menstrual masking, the process of applying your own menstrual blood to your face for a few minutes before rinsing, has taken social media by storm in recent years.
Advocates of the free, all-natural treatment allege that period blood contains stem cells, cytokines, and proteins — all of which, they argue, can revive the skin and give it that extra glow.
Indeed, a study published by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) found that wounds treated with menstrual plasma healed 100% within 24 hours, compared with 40% with regular blood plasma.
Menstrual blood-derived stem cells, or MenSCs, have also garnered interest from researchers and have been shown to enhance skin healing by boosting collagen production, reducing wrinkles, and promoting growth factors that support repair.
Blood lovers compare menstrual masking to a cheaper alternative for the aforementioned “vampire facial,” wherein platelet-rich plasma (PRP) taken from a patient’s own blood is injected back into the face,
However, experts disagree with comparing sterile PRP to menstrual blood, as the latter can contain different bacteria and fungi. It can also include Staphylococcus aureus — a common microbe that lives on the skin’s surface but can spur infections if it gets caught in cuts or pores — and even sexually transmitted infections, or STIs.
