Throughout history people have sought to achieve what they believed to be the ideal look. Some of these methods have been pretty strange, others quite dangerous. This week we learn about some of these historic techniques, why we no longer use them and what we do instead.
SKIN
Beautiful skin has been a goal of people throughout time. Achieving this, even today, is a huge portion of the beauty industry. The pursuit of this goal has led people to do some strange and dangerous things.
Cinnabar
In ancient Rome, people sought to add a blush to their cheeks. Cinnabar was one of the more popular choices, and a deadly one at that.
Cinnabar is a bright read mineral generally found around areas of high volcanic activity. Cinnabar is also the primary source of mercury. Inhaling cinnabar powder can lead to serious damage to the lungs. When placed on the skin, mercury can be absorbed leading to neurological damage, kidney damage, tremors and ultimately death.
Today, a variety of safe blushes are available on the market. Mel's Hair and Nail Salon also offers BB Blush, part of our BB Glow treatment which is a semi-permanent blush. When performed by a qualified aesthetician, it is a safe and effective technique.
Venetian Ceruse
Venetian ceruse was a popular skin whitening product favored by the European aristocracy in the 16th century. Queen Elizabeth I is claimed to have been a user, and it is thought to be one of the cosmetics that led to her dying of lead poisoning.
Venetian ceruse is a combination of water, vinegar and white lead. Exposing the skin to white lead can result in serious damage to the skin, hair loss, and a painful death.
Today, skin whitening can be achieved in a much safer method (although there are many dangerous products and techniques still marketed). Mel's Hair and Nail Salon offers several skin whitening treatments. Many products from trusted brands also exist.
Crocodile Dung Facials
Another technique from ancient Rome was crocodile dung facials. It was used as an anti-aging treatment that was said to leave the skin glowing and whiter. Crocodile dung was also an ingredient in ancient Roman rouges. Crocodile dung is of course full of bacteria, namely Burkholderia contaminans and Lactococcus garvieae. Both can cause dangerous infections.
Mel's Hair and Nail Salon offers a variety of safe treatments that will achieve these same goals. We have several facials as well as our BB Glow and Galvanic Facial Treatments. We also offer gluta drip administered by a registered nurse.
Lead Mercuride
Lead mercuride was a skin whitening treatment used in China during the Wei and Jun dynasties (AD 220-420). This treatment was applied to the skin and achieved whitening by killing off melanocytes - these are the cells that handle skin pigmentation. Exposing your skin to lead is bad. Sure, your skin will lighten, but then it'll become coarse, and then you die. Painfully and horribly.
This is one of the sadder treatments we've encountered from the ancient world. The dangers of lead exposure were well documented in China during this period. People knew it was dangerous, yet the treatment was offered and young ladies desperate to meet an artificial beauty standard died. Beauty starts with wellness and wellness starts with knowledge.
Mel's Hair and Nail Salon offers several safe alternatives. We have a variety of facials. We also offer gluta which is safe when handled properly and not abused.
HAIR
Historical people also wanted beautiful hair. Just like with skin, they did some odd stuff to pursue this goal.
Curling With Fire
In ancient Assyria, the nobility would place iron rods in fire and then use these rods to curl their hair. While this may be effective it does pose risk. Heat is still a component of hair curling, but the temperature must be carefully controlled. To ensure the hair remains healthy, proper aftercare is also required.
Lard
During the Elizabethan period, lard was used to set hair. While effective it had a strong odor and a tendency to attract rats. To protect against this people would sleep with nightcaps and in some cases, cages over their hair.
Today, lard is still used in some hair care products and there is some association with hair growth. For setting hair, however, modern hairsprays are much more effective and less rat-attracting.
Earthworm Hair Dye
In ancient Rome women who wanted to avoid gray hairs would make a dye composed of walnut shells, ashes and earthworms. These ingredients would be ground up and applied to the hair.
There is evidence linking earthworms to regrowing hair under certain medical conditions but as a hair dye there are better options. Mel's Hair and Nail Salon offers a number of salon grade dyes that are safe and effective
Urine and Pigeon Droppings Hair Dye
Another ancient Roman hair dye method involved mixing pigeon droppings with urine. While it was actually effective in turning dark hair blonde it was far from hygienic.
Again, modern hair dyes are much safer and cleaner when handled properly. The stylists at Mel's Hair and Nail Salon can help with quality color.
MAKEUP
Makeup has long been a part of people's beauty routines, starting around 5,000 years ago, and history shows us that some odd choices have been made.
Arsenic Complexion Wafers
If you were a Victorian woman suffering from freckles, pimples, blemishes, and a desire for the skin of a tuberculosis patient then you might consider Dr. James P. Campbell's Safe Arsenic Complexion Wafers.
Arsenic is a poison. Low grade, prolonged exposure results in a number of serious and unpleasant medical issues and ultimately death. This particular product was released at a time when there was little regulation. By the 1930s, regulation became stricter and more enforced. This product was eventually evaluated and ordered to be destroyed. There are many products today that are produced in ways that evade regulation and make bold claims. Beauty comes from wellness and wellness comes from knowledge.
There are a number of safe and effective products for treating freckles, pimples, blemishes and whitening skin. Mel's Hair and Nail Salon offers several facials, as well as BB Glow and Galvanic Facials that will do just that in a safe and effective manner.
Bromine Mannite
Bromine mannite is a toxic substance used by the ancient Egyptians in lipstick. Exposure to bromine mannite can result in vomiting, psychosis, skin lesions, seizures and death.
Many safe alternatives exist. Mel's Hair and Nail Salon can help with proper application of lipstick and also offers lip pigmentation and BB Liptint.
Kohl Eyeliner
Another favorite of the ancient Egyptians was eyeliner made from kohl. Kohl is made from lead sulfide, something that is best not applied to the skin. Exposure can result in lead poisoning which is associated with neurological problems, delirium, hallucinations and death.
This isn't just an ancient product. While the ancient Egyptians are closely tied to kohl, a movement to ban it did not take hold until the 1990s. While it is banned in many parts of the world, it does exist, sometimes under other names. It should also be noted that the name kohl is sometimes used to describe color in modern makeup products. Lead and its compounds has not been allowed in cosmetics sold in the Philippines since September 4th, 1997. The FDA Act of 2009 requires all cosmetic products to be evaluated and approved by the FDA prior to being sold. If the product is not listed in the FDA circular it may not be safe.
Belladonna (Nightshade) Eye Drops
During Renaissance Italy, large pupils were considered the height of beauty. To achieve this look, women began using eyedrops made from the belladonna plant. You may know it better as deadly nightshade. Belladonna drops were effective in widening the pupils, but they also caused blurred vision, difficulty focusing the eyes, blindness, heart problems, and skin problems. Belladonna is one of the most poisonous plants and consuming any part of the plant is toxic.
Belladonna is still used to widen the pupils during eye exams. When done by a doctor it is used in very small quantities and under controlled circumstances making it safe. It is not safe for cosmetic use.
BODY MODIFICATIONS
People have also practiced body modification techniques, many of these were quite cruel and damaging.
Foot Binding
Foot binding was a practice in China in which the bones of the foot were broken and tightly wrapped. Girls would undergo this process starting between the ages of 3 and 7 and continue throughout the life. The goal was an extremely small, crippled foot that promoted strong leg and buttock muscles.
Foot binding is now illegal; however, the practice did not end until the 1950s. This was an extremely painful practice that resulted in lifelong disability. It was generally irreversible and attempts to do so only increased the suffering.
Tightlacing
During the Victorian period, many western women practiced tightlacing. This involved wearing a corset laced so tight that the body would incorporate the corset into the ribs. The goal was to force the body into what was seen as the ideal female figure- extremely narrow waist and wide hips. The practice was painful and damaging to the ribs, spine and organs. Those who practiced tightlacing would experience difficulty breathing as well as damage to the heart. Fainting was so common that many establishments had special fainting rooms and fainting couches so that corset wearers could release the laces and regain their breath.
This practice was not always voluntary, young girls were forced to participate and methods were employed to prevent them from loosening the laces themselves. Not only that, but the dangers were well known, doctors of the period were quite vocal against tightlacing.
There has been a resurgence of this practice recently, however the dangers have not changed.
Artificial Cranium Modifications
This was a practiced followed by people all over the world including ancient Visayans. It involves encouraging an infant's head to grow into a particular shape. The reasons varied from place to place but the effect was generally an elongated or flattened head shape.
While there is no data suggesting this practiced actually impacted the individual's brain functions, there are also limited subject to test. This practice has largely died out.
IN CONCLUSION
People throughout history have sought what they believed to be an ideal beauty standard. Many of these practices were dangerous and, in some cases, just plain ineffective. That actually holds true today. When selecting a beauty product or treatment, ask questions, do your research and make sure you understand what will happen and the risks. Modern regulations prevent many harmful practices, however harmful products exist. There are manufacturers and retailers who will evade or simply ignore safe practices. Beauty begins with wellness and wellness begins with knowledge.
Don't you deserve to feel and look your best?
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