A dangeous machine to give women a "permanent" wave.
Corsets and "waist-training" gave some women waists that measured 13 inches around. Some women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries even took the quest for a tiny waist to the extreme by undergoing surgical removal of lower ribs. This highly risky procedure was intended to make corseting even more effective and achieve the coveted hourglass silhouette. Undergoing rib removal carried significant dangers, including infection, internal organ damage, and even death. While not common, the fact that some women were willing to endure such drastic measures highlights the intense pressure to conform to beauty standards of the time.
Swallowing tapeworm cysts was said to be an effective method of weight control!
In the early 20th century, the use of radium-based products was widely advertised as the secret to youthful skin. Radium-infused creams, soaps, and even makeup products promised to rejuvenate the skin and improve appearance. Sadly, radium is radioactive, and exposure to it can cause cancer, radiation burns, and organ damage.
In some cases, radium was even used in beauty treatments where patients were exposed to radon gas or injected with radioactive substances in the name of beauty. Despite the deadly risks, these treatments were endorsed by scientists and medical professionals, making them even more appealing to the public. The truth about radium’s dangers came to light only after several women who worked with the substance began suffering from severe health complications.
In the early 1900s, pumice stones were used to scrub the skin in an attempt to smooth out rough patches and calluses. While pumice stones were considered effective for exfoliation, they were often used too aggressively, leading to painful abrasions and skin irritation. Some beauty enthusiasts even used pumice stones on their faces, which is incredibly harsh for delicate skin.
This practice could cause scarring and permanent skin damage, especially if the stone was not properly sanitized or was used too frequently. The trend eventually lost its appeal as safer, gentler exfoliation methods were introduced. Today, we know that exfoliating should be done with care to avoid compromising the skin’s protective barrier.
In the 19th century, beauty spots, or small artificial moles, were a highly fashionable accessory. Women would use makeup or fabric to create these marks on their faces, often in the shape of a mole or freckle. While the trend was popular, some women went to dangerous extremes to create the perfect beauty spot.
In some cases, women would use dangerous chemicals to darken their skin and create the ideal beauty mark. Others would even risk infection by using pins, needles, or unsafe materials. The obsession with these beauty spots led many to adopt potentially harmful practices in the name of beauty.
Skin lightening has been a long-standing beauty trend across the globe, with women in various cultures using dangerous substances to achieve a lighter complexion. Even in the 20th century some women turned to bleach baths—soaking in solutions containing harsh chemicals like chlorine or ammonia—to lighten their skin.These bleach baths often led to severe burns, chemical rashes, and long-term damage to the skin. Prolonged use of such treatments could cause irreversible damage, such as thinning skin and scarring. The health risks of bleaching products are still relevant today, with many harmful skin lightening treatments still in circulation.
Eye drops made from the deadly nightshade plant, belladonna, were used to give the eyes a lambent appearance. Its name means “beautiful woman” in Italian, reflecting its popularity in beauty routines.
However, as emphasized by Bailey Kirsten in an article for the International Museum of Surgical Science, belladonna is highly toxic. Prolonged use could cause blurred vision, headaches, and in severe cases, permanent blindness. Still, the allure of larger, darker eyes was enough for many women to risk their sight and health.
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