This same market is expected to grow to $154 billion by 2021. Reviewing the numbers, it seems that this market has weathered depressions, recessions and economic downturns. And why is that? A quick history lesson shows us that more than 500 years ago Juan Ponce de Leon and his crew first set foot on the shores of Florida in search of the Fountain of Youth.
The search for youth and vitality seems to be a universal theme across many historical and pop culture quests - from early explorers to fictional characters like Indiana Jones. Even in our more sinister histories we can find tales of those seeking eternal youth, with examples such as The Blood Countess, Elizabeth Bathory, who bathed in the blood of her slaves to maintain her youth.
In modern times, there are many who take desperate measures to achieve such goals, to risky ends. Despite our current knowledge and the advice of agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, there are many risky skin treatments that the willing will try – even in spite of the costs.
So how low will people go to turn back the hands of time? Pretty low. Here are a list of four beauty treatments you may want to spare your body.
Skin Lightening Treatments
A recent FDA investigation found that skin-lightening creams imported from certain countries may be riddled with toxic levels of mercury and other heavy metals. The risk of developing mercury poisoning is a real one: high exposures to mercury can permanently damage the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, and kidneys. Symptoms of mercury poisoning include skin rashes (dermatitis), tremors, mood swings, irritability, memory loss, and muscle weakness.