Back in Time Today
Throughout history, various beauty practices have promised allure and status, often overshadowing their destructive consequences. These trends, driven by societal norms and perceptions of beauty, led to irreversible physical harm and even fatalities. Here’s a look at nineteen beauty trends that caused lasting damage in pursuit of aesthetic ideals.
1. Lead-Based Makeup (16th–18th Century)
In the quest for social prestige, many noblewomen in the 16th to 18th centuries turned to Venetian ceruse, a toxic concoction of lead and vinegar, for a pale complexion. This trend was so prevalent that even Queen Elizabeth I embraced it, despite its severe consequences. Lead-based makeup led to symptoms such as skin deterioration, hair loss, and organ failure. The silent killer, lead poisoning, ravaged users’ lives, often ending in premature death.
2. Foot Binding (China, 10th–20th Century)
A deeply rooted cultural practice, foot binding in China aimed to create the coveted “lotus feet,” symbolizing beauty and femininity. Young girls endured excruciating pain as their feet were broken and tightly bound, a ritual passed down through generations. This pursuit of aesthetic perfection resulted in lifelong deformities, infections, and chronic pain. Despite the suffering, foot binding persisted for centuries, marking a painful chapter in beauty history.
3. Corset Tightlacing (Victorian Era)
The Victorian era idolized the hourglass figure, leading women to lace themselves into constrictive corsets. These garments, designed to achieve waists as small as 18 inches, often resulted in severe health effects. Women faced crushed organs, fractured ribs, and even miscarriages. Some resorted to surgically removing ribs to fit these ideals. The physical toll of corset tightlacing left a legacy of pain and permanent injury.
4. Radium Beauty Products (1920s)
During the 1920s, radium-infused beauty products promised a youthful, radiant glow, capturing the imagination of many. Salons offered creams and powders laced with this radioactive element, unaware of its deadly effects. Users experienced severe radiation poisoning, jaw necrosis, and a heightened cancer risk, mirroring the tragic fates of the “Radium Girls.” The allure of glowing skin overshadowed the lethal price paid by those who embraced this dangerous trend.
5. Mercury Skin Lightening (Ancient Times–Early 1900s)
The desire for lighter skin transcended time and geography, leading to the widespread use of mercury-based skin lighteners. Advertised as safe, these products masked a sinister reality. Mercury exposure led to kidney failure, nerve damage, and, in many cases, death. The deceptive allure of fair skin propelled this hazardous trend, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake as users unknowingly sacrificed their health for a fleeting beauty ideal.
6. Tapeworm Diet Pills (Early 1900s)
A controversial weight loss method, the tapeworm diet pill promised effortless slimming. Users swallowed live tapeworms, gambling with their health for a smaller waistline. The parasitic infection led to malnutrition, severe intestinal blockages, and a host of medical complications. While this bizarre trend vanished over time, it serves as a cautionary tale of the lengths individuals will go to achieve an ideal body image, regardless of the cost.
7. Belladonna Eye Drops (Renaissance Italy)
In Renaissance Italy, women sought a dreamy, doe-eyed appearance through belladonna eye drops, derived from the deadly nightshade plant. The drops dilated pupils, giving rise to a striking, yet dangerous, look. Users risked blindness, heart failure, and even fatal poisoning. This perilous beauty practice underscores the extremes of fashion and the willingness to endure significant risks for fleeting, superficial enhancements during this era.
8. X-Ray Hair Removal (1920s)
The invention of X-ray technology in the early 20th century found an unexpected application in beauty salons for hair removal. The promise of painless, permanent results overshadowed the grave risks. Women experienced severe burns, increased cancer risk, and in extreme cases, amputations. The pursuit of smooth skin without the burden of hair removal led to disastrous health consequences, highlighting a dark chapter in beauty’s technological advancements.
9. Blackened Teeth (Japan, Heian Period)
In Heian period Japan, ohaguro saw married women dye their teeth black, a symbol of beauty and maturity. The process involved using iron filings and other ingredients to achieve the desired hue. While culturally significant, this practice came at a cost. Women suffered from tooth decay, gum disease, and mercury poisoning due to the toxic substances used in the dye. The beauty standard of blackened teeth exemplifies the cultural nuances of historical aesthetics.
10. Arsenic Wafers for “Glowing” Skin (Victorian Era)
Victorian society’s obsession with pale, “glowing” skin led to the consumption of arsenic wafers. Marketed as harmless, these wafers promised a luminous complexion but delivered a toxic reality. Arsenic poisoning caused organ failure and a slow, painful death. The dangerous pursuit of beauty through ingesting poisons highlights the era’s misguided beliefs about health and appearance, leaving a legacy of caution against harmful beauty practices.
11. The “Hottentot Bustle” (19th Century Europe)
Inspired by the physique of Saartjie Baartman, the “Hottentot Venus,” 19th-century Europeans embraced exaggerated bustles to enhance their silhouettes. This fashion trend involved padding or bustles to mimic a fuller figure, causing discomfort and potential injury. The exaggerated posture and weight led to chronic back pain, spinal misalignment, and muscle atrophy. The “Hottentot Bustle” reflects society’s tendency to idolize and objectify women’s bodies at the expense of their well-being.
12. Hair Dyes with Sulfuric Acid (1800s)
The quest for vibrant hair colors in the 1800s saw the use of dangerous substances, including sulfuric acid. Women bleached their hair with these harsh chemicals, often resulting in scalp burns and hair loss. The combination of sulfuric acid and lead combs introduced toxic elements directly to the scalp. This risky beauty practice highlights the perilous lengths individuals would go to achieve their desired aesthetic, often with harmful, lasting consequences.
13. The “Dead White” Look (18th Century France)
During 18th-century France, aristocrats aspired to the “Dead White” look, applying white lead makeup with blue vein detailing. This beauty ideal sought to emulate the delicate skin of the elite. However, the toxic makeup caused facial paralysis, skin ulcers, and led to early death. Marie Antoinette’s courtiers were among those suffering from these effects. This trend illustrates how societal pressures can drive individuals to embrace dangerous practices for status and perceived beauty.
14. Neck Rings (Kayan Tribe, Myanmar/Thailand)
In the Kayan tribe of Myanmar and Thailand, elongated necks featuring brass coils symbolize beauty and cultural identity. Girls begin wearing rings at a young age, gradually adding more over time. However, this practice results in collarbone deformation and muscle atrophy. Removing the rings can cause permanent disability. Despite these risks, neck rings remain a cultural tradition, reflecting the complex intersections of beauty, identity, and tradition in indigenous communities.
15. The “Cigarette Diet” (1920s–50s)
The marketing of cigarettes as appetite suppressants in the 1920s to 50s encouraged individuals to smoke for weight control. This trend, fueled by advertising and celebrity endorsements, linked smoking with a slim physique. However, the health costs were dire, leading to lung cancer, emphysema, and heart disease. The “Cigarette Diet” underscores the power of marketing and societal pressure in shaping unhealthy beauty standards, with lasting repercussions on public health.
16. Paraffin Wax Injections (Early 1900s)
In the early 1900s, paraffin wax injections offered a method to enhance facial and breast contours. This procedure promised a youthful appearance by “plumping” desired areas. However, the injected wax often hardened into painful lumps, leading to infections and a condition known as “wax cancer.” The quest for cosmetic enhancement through risky medical procedures underscores the historical willingness to sacrifice health for beauty, often with permanent, detrimental results.
17. The “Hair Corset” (Victorian Era)
The Victorian “Hair Corset,” a peculiar fashion accessory, involved sewing human hair into garments to achieve a fuller silhouette. This trend, while adding volume to clothing, led to unhygienic conditions. Scalp infections from hair harvesting and lice infestations were common. The “Hair Corset” serves as a peculiar reminder of the lengths to which individuals went to conform to fashion trends, often at the expense of health and cleanliness.
18. The “Mouth Stretcher” (Africa, Amazon Tribes)
Among some African and Amazon tribes, inserting lip plates or wooden discs to stretch the mouth symbolizes beauty and status. This tradition, while culturally meaningful, results in physical alterations such as jaw dislocation, tooth loss, and difficulty eating. The “Mouth Stretcher” reflects the diverse cultural expressions of beauty, emphasizing the varied interpretations of aesthetics across societies, each with its own set of physical challenges and cultural significance.
19. The “Laughing Gas Facelift” (1920s)
In the 1920s, the “Laughing Gas Facelift” emerged as a novel beauty treatment. Inhaling nitrous oxide promised a temporary “plumping” effect on wrinkles. However, the euphoric experience came with severe risks, including brain damage, addiction, and suffocation. The pursuit of youthful skin through this dangerous method highlights the lengths individuals would go to in combating the natural signs of aging, prioritizing appearance over safety.