A HISTORY OF BOTCHED BEAUTY TWEAKMENTS

Hair removal

In the 19th century, depilatory treatments required the use of corrosive chemicals. The ingredients for a recipe given in 1871 included sulphuret of arsenic, quicklime and alkaline lye, to be applied on the face and washed off with hot water. But it came with a health warning: ‘Dangerous consequences might ensue from the absorption of the arsenic.’

Injectables

The much-publicised story of Gladys Deacon (later the Duchess of Marlborough, left), who in 1903 had her nose reshaped using injected paraffin wax, helped to outlaw this harmful procedure. The duchess nearly died from necrosis as a result and her looks were permanently botched. ‘Paraffinomas’ – ulcers and embolisms caused by the injections – were common. One opera singer had to quit her career after the filler caused facial bumps.

Fat removal

The infamous 1928 case of Paris-based Dr Charles Dujarier (right) operating on a young woman’s legs to make them thinner is a reminder that such procedures are best handled by specialists. Dujarier, who wasn’t a cosmetic surgeon, not only damaged one of her legs by removing muscle as well as fat, he removed so much skin that the wound could not be stitched, and soon after the lady’s leg turned grey with gangrene. After three weeks the patient was told her leg needed to be amputated. She was later awarded 200,000 francs compensation.

Hair dyes

In the days before the regulation of poisons, hair dyes were particularly risky. In 1931, one hairdresser warned colleagues in the industry that the symptoms to look out for included pimples; pustules; intolerable itchings; eczema; red, inflamed oozing; burnt and blistered skin; headaches, shiverings and swollen limbs.