Read our other features:
Leave me alone
Couples therapy
Time to sparty
The Weird World of Spas

Fish reflexology, snake massage and blood sucking leeches may sound more like Papua New Guinean rites of passage than your average spa treatments, yet there’s a whole raft of bizarre animal-related treatments working their way across the globe. In anticipation of their arrival in the Fragrant Harbour (given our predilection for strange Chinese medicinal practices, it’s surely only a matter of time), Anna Whitehouse and Mark Tjhung dish the dirt.

Leech therapy
Spa Beaute Par Zai, Suite 901, Queen’s Place, 74 Queen’s Rd Central, Central, 2524 1272; www.spabpz.com.
The skinny:
Demi Moore was recently on The Late Show With David Letterman in the US, raving about a treatment she received in Austria that involved four “highly trained medical leeches.” Be prepared, though, because in this service, there will be blood. As the leeches bite the skin and suck away, their saliva is said to increase circulation and detoxify your system. To be fair, there are a few marshes and wet spots around the globe that can offer a similar service for free, but we’re assuming the flumpy towels and mug of green tea at the end of it all are much needed.

Local reaction:
“Oh yes, I’ve heard of that. I don’t think you can get it in Hong Kong though,” says Nigar Qureshi, owner of Spa Beaute Par Zai in Central. “But as a medical doctor, I wouldn’t recommend it, because I think it increases the chance of infection with the wounds being left open. But maybe I’m wrong.”
Until it comes to Hong Kong, try the Lymphatic Drainage Massage ($900) at Spa Beaute Par Zai. The therapy boosts your immune system, clears blockages, eliminates toxins and increases metabolism using various essential oils, finishing with a whole body wrap to moisturise and soften the skin. Now doesn’t that sound far more pleasant than its vampirical alternative?

Snake massage
Farm – The Organic Spa, 5/F Baskerville House, 13 Duddell St, Central, 2866 8238; www.farmtheorganicspa.com.
The skinny:
Some spas around the world are adding some ‘slickness’ to a traditional massage to relax clients’ aching muscles: Six non-venomous snakes slip-slide down your spine, leaving you lulled into a reptile-induced slumber.

Local reaction:
Ada Chan, marketing manager for the Farm – The Organic Spa, doesn’t exactly have slumber in mind when thinking about this therapy. “Oh wow! That would be quite scary for me. I don’t think I would let those snakes touch me.”

Until it comes to Hong Kong, try the aromatherapy massage from Farm – The Organic Spa ($980/80mins). With the aid of specially blended aromatherapy oils, let some supple, trained hands massage your aching muscles. Not particular reptilian, but extremely relaxing.

Bull-semen hair treatment
Six Senses Spa at the MGM Macau, 3/F Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen NAPE, Macau, (853) 8802 3838; www.sixsenses.com/six-senses-spas/mgm/index.php.
The skinny:
'Viagra for hair' couldn't be a more fitting description for Hari's Aberdeen Organic treatment at London department store Harrods. Aberdeen-Angus bull semen is mixed with Iranian plant root katera to create a hair mask alleged to improve thickness, strength and sheen.

Local reaction:
Khun Noi from the Six Senses Spa at the MGM Macau seems unfazed by the protein-rich treatment. “I've never heard of it before, but I think this could be helpful as well.”

Until it comes to Hong Kong, try the Hair Intensive Ritual (from $520) available at Six Senses which utilises the finest L’Occitane products. Starting with a shampoo and blow dry, the perfect product is then chosen for your hair’s needs, leaving it stronger, shinier and beautifully nourished. And, of course, there’s a scalp, neck and shoulder massage to complete the experience.

Bird poo facial
Hong Kong Waxing Factory, 7/F Carfield Commercial Building, 77-79 Wyndham St, Central, 9835 0284; www.hkwaxing.com.
The skinny:
The Geisha Facial at New York’s Shizuka Day Spa incorporates an alleged trick-of-the-trade among Japanese Kabuki actors and geishas to brighten and soften the skin: aestheticians apply UV-light-sanitised and powdered nightingale droppings, mixed with rice bran to the face.

Local reaction:
On hearing about this, Rozali Ostling, local spa director and personality, wasn't particularly impressed. “Oh shit – no! I don't think it’s going to help you, with all the bacteria and allergy in poo! But who knows, we live in the modern world where people do everything. But I don't want to put that on my face.”

Until it comes to Hong Kong, try a cleansing facial ($750) from Hong Kong Waxing Factory. Using all-natural Neoderma products from Cyprus, Rozali will give you a facial best suited for your skin, providing far better results than bird poo – at least, according to Rozali.

Fish reflexology
Paua Spa at CentreStage, 1-27 Bridges St, Central, 2522 3054, www.paua.com.hk.
The skinny:
In this treatment, popular all over Mainland China and in Singapore spas, such as the Sentosa Hotel, clients dip their feet in a warm pool for 20 minutes, where Turkish fish gently eat away dead skin. The treatment is said to leave tootsies smooth and exfoliated.

Local reaction:
“I have heard about that treatment! Some people put their foot, their leg or even their whole body in and let the little fish bite away,” says Faith Coetzee from Paua Spa Group. “It’s a very interesting treatment, but I’m not sure it’s available in Hong Kong. If it is, I’d love to try it!” Indeed, we’re a bit disappointed that it’s not here, especially given its popularity in China, Taiwan and Singapore.

Until it comes to Hong Kong, try the Elemis Sole Delight Foot Therapy available at Paua Spa at CentreStage. They’ll nourish your feet and nails with aroma-therapeutic oils and a milk bath before applying an exotic frangipani moisture melt – leaving beautiful smooth feet, without any fearsome fish chomping away at you.

Read our other features:
Leave me alone
Couples therapy
Time to sparty
The Weird World of Spas