Beauty therapy refers to applying and using a wide range of treatment and cosmetic techniques on an individual by trained beauticians. Beauty therapists are pundits in the area of facial and body care and knowledgeable in the area of skin biology and cosmetics chemistry. The most common beauty therapists’ most common services include manicure, pedicure, facials, hair removal, brow treatments, and make-up. Although many people think of beauty therapy as a modern practice, archeological evidence shows that it dates back to 4000 BC during the ancient Greek and Egyptian civilization (Cellania, 2014). The information available claims that skin creams and oil treatment were a common practice during the era. Surprisingly, beauty therapy was not reserved for women alone; it was practiced by men as well. Even though the beauty therapy practices took off earlier, the industry became prominent in the 20th century (Cellania, 2014). Read more
The ancient Egyptians applied mesdement, a mix of copper and lead ore, around their eyes. On their lower eyelids, they did green shades. They also applied black and dark grey makeover to their lower eyelids and lashes. Moreover, they added what was called kohl to complete the ornate look around their eyes. Kohl was a dark-colored powder made of ingredients such as burnt almonds, copper ores, oxidized copper, Lead, and ash (Cellania, 2014). Kohl was believed to have numerous medical benefits for users. The ancient Egyptians preferred dark colors because they could ward off “evil eyes” (Cellania, 2014). The ancient Egyptian women applied a mixture of clay and water on their lips and cheeks. They also applied henna to their nails and used a special type of soap made from vegetables, animal oils, and perfumes (Cellania, 2014). The primary reason why women wore make-up was to please gods as women believed that their appearance has a direct relationship with their spiritual worth (Cellania, 2014).
Bromine lipstick
The history of lipstick dates back to the time of Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh to reign in ancient Egypt between 51 and 30 B.C. Women in ancient Mesopotamia about 3,000 B.C used red clay, rust, henna, and Bromine Mannite to paint their lips. Bromine Mannite is obtained from polyalcohol mannitol found in plants. The ancient Egyptians used bromine Mannite, which is a rich brown, to color their lips. However, bromine Mannite was highly toxic as it could quickly kill the women who applied it and men who kissed them. Abu al-Quasim al-Zahrwai is credited with the invention of the first modern lipstick about A.D. 900. However, lipstick popularity began to die among elite class people to the point that it was regarded as a thing for prostitutes and lower-class women. It is worth noting that lipstick went through the most significant trouble to get to its current state among all cosmetic products.
Ancient Mesopotamia women (Jain, n.d)
Arsenic Wafers
Arsenic complexion wafers were sears designed in a unique way to transfer arsenic to the wearers through pores. They were prevalent between the 1890s and 1900s and were used to lighten women’s complexion to the point of transparent whiteness. The arsenic wafer was much desired by fashionable young ladies and the girls who emulated them. It was made of Lead and mercury and present in cosmetic products such as powders, soaps, and eye shadows. In the 19th century, the women would nibble on throughout the day, not knowing that they were poisoning themselves to get a pale look. The arsenic wafers are known to kill the red blood cells, which cause the skin to grow pale. It is also known to cause baldness and even death.
Arsenic Wafers (Livingly, 2020)
Ways to get a pale skin
There are various ways used to make the skin lighter. One of them is the use of a translucent mineral powder. Mineral powders help to make-up while at the same time preventing any possible dulling of color among women. Specialists recommend the use of powder that is a shade lighter than the foundation. It should also be applied to the neck area to complement the skin tone. Another common technique that is used to make the skin lighter is a blending foundation that is a few shades lighter than your natural skin. Additionally, using products made of Goths are recommended for skin lightening. A natural skin bleach with a mixture of a tablespoon for peroxide, glycerin, and lemon juice also works well to make the skin look pale. Applying commercial skin brightening creams twice a day is also a common practice to make women’s skin look brighter and paler. Beauty therapy
Skin-whitening tips (Tai & Sukumaran, 2019)
The use of Lead in cosmetics
Lead is a chemical element that is toxic when used in human beings. The United States Food and Drugs Administration regulates the use of Lead in the manufacture of cosmetics. However, the Lead was present in some cosmetic products such as foundation, nail polish, whitening toothpaste, and lipstick. Traditional eyeliners found to contain heavy metals include Tiro, Kwalli, Kohl, and Kajal. It is important to stress that Lead is not used intentionally as an additive in cosmetic products but is commonly detected in the air, water, and soil. This is because it is a naturally occurring metal and may be found in insignificant amounts in natural ingredients used in the cosmetic products’ manufacture.
The use of poisonous belladonna plant
The leaves and berries of belladonna plant are extremely poisonous to human beings as it contains toxic alkaloids. Belladonna plant is majorly cultivated in France and is used to manufacture stimulants, antispasmodics, and sedatives. The drops obtained from the belladonna plant were earlier used to dilate the women’s pupil. This was a beauty product used by ancient women to look seductive and attractive. Beauty therapy
Belladonna plant (Anna Fiore, n.d)
Radiation in a variety of cosmetic products
Radioactive materials were more often used in the manufacture of cosmetic products in France and England. Companies manufacturing cosmetics using radioactive materials include Radior, which specialized in hair tonic, skin soap, Talcum powder, Rouge, Vanishing cream, and Face powder. Tho-Radia beauty products were introduced into the market in 1933 and contained thorium chloride and radium bromide. The products range included lipstick, toothpaste skin cream, and cleansing milk.
(Prisco, 2020) (Prisco, 2020)
A variety of ways used to lose weight
There are many known pill and supplements that help people to lose weight. They include extracts of Garcinia Cambogia, Hydroxycut, Caffeine, Arlistat, and Raspberry Ketones, to mention a few. Other natural ways to lose weight include ginger, cinnamon, drinking non-sugary drinks, and regular exercise.
Use of corsets
A corset is defined as a woman’s undergarment extending from below the chest down to the hips to shape their figure. They were also used to support breasts. Although corsets help shape the woman’s figure, a tight one is associated with poor digestion and poor breathing.
(Orchard Corsets, 2020)
How fake eyelashes were attached
The idea of having long eyelashes stemmed from the idea that lashes got shorter with age. Pliny the Elder also postulated that having long lashes had a close relationship with being chaste. This made women compete for having the longest lashes to prove their chastity. In the 1800s, fake eyelashes were attached through needles. However, the fainthearted women attached eyelashes using glue instead of threading it. This was not a successful procedure, as the glued hair eventually fell. Beauty therapy
(Wright, 2015)
1940s Introduction of beauty salons and anti-aging treatments
Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden are regarded as moguls, who dominated the beauty industry in the 1940s (Panda, 2020). It is when more salons began to open countrywide, and the use of anti-aging or anti-wrinkle treatment introduced. Additionally, masks were used to heat the face and the head to make the skin look fresh. The salons could offer weight loss treatment, including massage chairs (Panda, 2020). Today, various anti-aging products include dermal fillers, chemical peels, Botulinum Toxin Therapy, and Nonablative Skin Rejuvenation (Panda, 2020).
1950s spa and what they offered
In the 1950s, spas were limited in number. Those days, the therapies provided in a spa include sticking face into a blender, covering face with candle wax, and strapping electrical wires to a person’s head. It was also hosting a movie theatre in the late 1950s.
(Enter the Razorback, 2015)