A Midas-Worthy Skin Treatment

For centuries, gold has been seen as a status symbol. And today is no different. The world’s financial elite have long felt the need to do strange things with gold, just to show that they can. These uses can run from the ordinary uses as a garnish on Serendipity’s famous sundae, to sparkling ‘grillz’ on famous rappers, and everyone remembers Donald Trump’s golden toilet. But now there is a golden opportunity that even us regular people can enjoy, a gold facial. 

This new fad facial got its start in Thailand and costs a mere $200. And for your money you can have gold infused lotions gently massaged into your skin to give it an extra radiance. Gold facial connoisseur Pavenooch Srimongkolchai loves the treatment. “It’s really exciting when I’m lying on the treatment table. I’m like ‘Yes, I’ve got gold on my face!” As far as the actual facial goes, “It tickles a bit when it’s applied, but the effects last longer than for other treatments so you know it’s worth it. And it’s really useful after a weekend at the beach” gushes Pavenooch. 

Wilawan Watcharasakwet / The Wall Street Journal

Even rising gold prices haven’t hurt the facial’s popularity. In fact, more and more people are flocking to salons due to higher perceived levels of exclusivity to the experience which has many perceived benefits. Gold is thought to be easily absorbed by the skin due to its softness and was seen in ancient Chinese medicine as a key to youth. Ancient Queens used to employ a gold massage roller to their faces daily for a dose of the metal. Indian traditions also employed gold as a facial said to firm the skin, give a glow, and reduce wrinkles. Today, many of the claims are the same but with more of a scientific slant claiming the gold draws blood to the area, speeding up cellular processes and activating regeneration. The gold is even supposedly effective on a molecular level connecting to the electrons present, activating ions to recreate broken cellular connections to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, restore skin’s elasticity, and slow down collagen degradation. 

Now it’s important to note a German study that found “no evidence has supported or refuted the efficacy of gold for facial skin care”. However, lovers of the Midas-themed treatment just don’t seem to care. And I have to say, I don’t blame them. If I had the spare cash I would get one of these facials for the sheer pleasure of being able to say that I had been covered in gold. And for those of us who live outside of Thailand, don’t worry, the facial is available in the US as well. Just promise us one thing, if you do get one of these facials, you have to come and tell us all about it!