BIRD POO FACIALS IN NEW YORK
Geishas historically used uguisu no fun to remove their caked-on makeup, and to lighten and condition their skin. It remains a common beauty practise across Japan.
Unfortunately, the name translates as "bird excrement" - specifically that of a nightingale called the Japanese bush warbler, which is said to brighten and heal damaged skin.
A New York spa now offers what it calls the "Geisha Facial" with powdered nightingale droppings - but points out that, sadly, it has to be Asian nightingales because they live on seeds, as opposed to city pigeons, which eat litter.
SNAKE MASSAGES IN ISRAEL & BALI
The Snake Spa in Israel offers guests the chance to lie down and have non-venomous California and Florida king snakes, corn snakes and milk snakes crawl all over their naked bodies, the idea being that the freaky physical contact can be relaxing.
The treatment is also offered in Bali, where they use 1.8m pythons, whose mouths have been taped shut to ensure they don't bite.
BEER BATHS IN CZECH REPUBLIC
The Czechs believe that a bath in a tub of beer will melt away stress. Though it's not clear whether you actually have to drink the amber nectar too, several spas that offer the experience do so in big wooden vats, with beer taps alongside them so you can sip and soak to your heart's content.SNAILS FACIALS & FACE SLAPPING IN THAILAND
At the Snail Spa in Chiang Mai, you can have little molluscs crawl across your face - apparently snail mucous can smooth out wrinkles and is good for hydration.
The Thais are also partial to a bit of face slapping. Again, it is said to increase circulation, unblock energy, and is a stimulating, anti-aging practice, though a therapist describes it as a "chopping motion along the energy lines" of the face.
FIRE FACIALS IN CHINA
Huo liao is a popular form of alternative therapy in China, where a towel soaked in a "secret elixir" and a little alcohol is draped over the face. The therapist then sets the towel on fire, and puts it out a few seconds later with another towel. Fire treatment is said to be a miracle cure for just about anything, from obesity to the common cold.
DAGGA MASSAGES IN COLORADO
Marijuana is legal in Colorado, US, and massages using cannabis oil have become something of a hit. They won't actually get you stoned, apparently, but the relaxing properties of the oil on your muscles delivers a special kind of high and is said to help with chronic pain, wounds and inflammation...