THE COMPLEXION FRAUD.

Evening Star, Issue 11776, 5 January 1903, Page 4

THE COMPLEXION FRAUD.

Some of the stories gleaned by a ‘Daily Kevra’ reporter recently as to the complexion trade seem almost incredible. Ono of the favorite devices of the “ face artist ” is to prof cm to remove the outside skin, or epidermis, of the face, thus giving the soft uniform pinky' glow—like the skin "of a newborn child—that is the correct thing in ibe drawing room at present. A lady who had gone to a specialist, said to bo a Russian, thus described the process :—“ She assured me that she had discovered a wonderful painless treatment by which tho outer skin could be removed and the face made a lovely pearly pink. The charge was only twenty guineas, and I had it done as an experiment. She first painted my face all over with somo brown stuff, aiid as it dried on I felt that the skin was tightening. After about three-quarters of an hour she took a silver knife —not unlike an ordinary small fruit knife—and carefully scraped mv face all over.” “What_was the result?” “Tho little scrapings curled up, and she said they were the outer skin. But I took a portion away and had it analysed, and found it was only a dried solution of isinglass, which she had first pul. on and then scraped off again. The outer akin had not gone at all. Of course, my face was red and. a little sore, but I don’t brheva a couple of days afterwards it made a scrap of difference.’ - The treatment was clearly a fraud, suitable only for tho most credulous and for those who could afford twenty guineas a week for the treatment of their complexion, for the Russian lady admitted that the outer skin would keep growing on again. Another treatment by a New York specialist is horrible in its details, ami shows to what depths women will sink through vanity. This treatment, which also professes to remove the outer skin, involves excruciating torture, considerable risk to life, and a fee of no less than 200 guineas! The unfortunate victim first has her face covered with some dreg which brings up the entire surface in blisters. For more than a week she must remain in a darkened room, aitended daily by tho lady specialist, and jf anything goes wrong she may easily have blood poisoning. The face is covered with masks of cosmetics and plasters, and came sort of skin does certainly come away, leaving a bright rosy blush color. In somo way, too, the muscles of the face arc swollen bo that “lines,” or wrinkles, disappear, but only for a short time. After the operation the patient Las Tt» be careful to keep out of rough or windy weather, and to save her hard-earned complexion, the result of a week of agony. The complexion must be preserved by the liberal application of lotions, washes, “ skin tonics,” and “ skin foods,” and a special skilled maid is required to keep it in order.