Skin care

No Animals Harmed: 7 Most Bizarre Beauty Treatments

Spa treatments featuring live animals may be all-natural, but they're also squirm-inducing

by Erica Smith | COMMENT

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Bloodsucking leech therapy, $190 and up When watching period dramas, we can't believe people ever thought bloodletting was a good idea for curing illnesses. More ridiculous than letting leeches suck your blood for vanity? Debatable, but the beauty treatment that promises to increase blood circulation has Demi Moore on its side at least.

Contrary to popular belief, leeches aren't just takers -- they're also givers. While sucking your blood like a Cullen, medicinal leeches also secrete a powerful saliva that contains about 60 different proteins, some of which stop blood clotting, dilate blood vessels, and decrease blood pressure. In short, they do improve blood circulation. Better blood flow means your skin is better equipped to flush out lingering toxins and dead skin cells, so you get rid of blotchiness, dark circles and itchy flares and are left with a healthy glow -- like you just stepped in from a brisk walk.

And as cringe-worthy as it sounds, magical leech saliva is also thought to contain an anesthetic, making the whole process virtually painless, albeit semi-disturbing.

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