Scale-covered, slithery, carnivorous and typically venomous snakes - they're not exactly the type of discovery that you'd want to make while trapped in a small closet or during a transcontinental flight. Dating back 150 million years, they have long served a valuable purpose in the ecosystem but unless you live in Outback country (where the majority of the world's 725 venomous snake species live), there's no reason to ever anticipate getting into a rumble with a legless wonder. Even if for some strange reason you find yourself eye-to-eye with one of the intimidating reptiles, the good news is that only 250 types actually possess the ability to deliver a fatal bite.
When they're not busy making the majority of us leap out of our skins, we humans utilize snakes in all sorts of diverse ways, including as household "pets" since they are relatively low maintenance and long-lived. They are also the subject of roadside snake charming performances (particularly in India) as well as a favored method of naturally controlling booming rat populations. The Cantonese go as far as to eat them, and various other Asian countries believe that consuming snake blood while the unfortunate creature is still alive leads to enhanced libido. Beyond using their hide for fashion accessories and collecting their venom for medicinal products, can you just guess what else we've managed to do with their life essence? Come on...let your mind wander.
Alright, I'll help you. Think vanity...pricey, temporarily paralyzing yet ultimately beautifying vanity. Considered the skin guru to the stars, Beverly Hills-based Sonya Dakar is currently offering patrons of her exclusive salon the opportunity to stun their skin into youthful submission via her $385 temple viper snake venom facial. Claiming that the cleansing massage and mask treatment naturally relaxes facial muscles by "sending a message to inhibit control and contraction," the Botox-like effect of the venom apparently bestows a youthful glow as well as visible improvement in the appearance of facial wrinkles and fine lines. Of course, she also sells a companion cream that can help ladies seeking the eternal fountain of youth to get their snake bite on in the comfort of their own homes.
Dakar isn't the only one surfing the snake venom wave, as is evidenced by the wild demand for Rodial's Glamoxy Snake Serum which retails for approximately $188 US/ 125 GBP for a 25 ml bottle. Referred to as "Botox in a bottle," the purportedly 100% safe beauty product contains a viper neuropeptide that generates a mild freeze-like effect which lasts approximately 8 hours at a clip (if applied twice daily). Through this process, oxygen is automatically carried into the skin, resulting in epidermis revitalization and a "plumping effect" which mimics the youth of our yesteryear. Well gosh, since Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, Naomi Campbell, and Katie Homes are all clamoring for it, then we should all stand in line! Snake venom is a 100% naturally occurring substance after all (just like botulinum toxin), and there's nothing even remotely disturbing about intentionally paralyzing your facial muscles for the sake of fleeting beauty....
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