Leech therapy
Demi Moore was recently on the Late Show with David Letterman, 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 your blood, their saliva is said to increase circulation and detoxify blood.
Local reaction “It sounds like something they would do in La-la Land,” says Tiffani Kim of the Tiffani Kim Institute (310 W Superior St, 312-260-9000). “I don’t know who would really want to do that, and I wouldn’t want to subject my staff to dealing with leeches.”
Until it comes to Chicago, try the detoxifying benefits of acupuncture at Tiffani Kim ($75–$140) or the ESPA detox body envelopment ($155) at the Peninsula Spa (108 E Superior St, 312-573-6860). The wrap is said to stimulate the lymphatic system to purge toxins.

Bull-semen hair treatment
“Viagra for hair” couldn’t be a more fitting description for Hari’s Aberdeen Organic treatment at a London salon, which mixes Aberdeen-Angus bull semen with Iranian plant root Katera as a hair mask to improve thickness, strength and sheen.
Local reaction “Oh my God, what do they do to get that?” says Anthony Muti, hair-department director at Mario Tricoci (locations around the city). “I doubt, considering how conservative the Midwest is, that we could sell that [treatment], but if it’s working for them…”
Until it comes to Chicago, try Mario Tricoci’s recently introduced Hair Therapy ($300–$700 depending on hair length and density), which is recommended for folks with chemically treated, damaged or frizzy hair. Composed almost entirely of the protein-rich Keratin Complex Hair Therapy by Coppola, the Formaldehyde-free treatment aims to reduce 90 percent of frizz and 50–70 percent of curls. After you sit for 20 minutes with the solution in your tresses, the stylist presses your locks with a 450-degree flat-iron seven times before sending you on your way for three to five frizz-free months.

Bird poop facial
The Geisha Facial at Manhattan’s Shizuka Day Spa incorporates an alleged trick-of-the-trade among Kabuki actors and geishas to brighten and soften the skin: Aestheticians apply UV-light-sanitized and powdered nightingale droppings mixed with rice bran to the face.
Local reaction “I think Chicagoans are open-minded and sophisticated, and if there was good science behind it, I think they would try it,” says Spa Space (161 N Canal St, 312-466-9585) owner Natalie Tessler. “A lot of very effective ingredients come from nature; I certainly wouldn’t pooh-pooh it.” (Well, aren’t we punny.)
Until it comes to Chicago, try Spa Space’s new 75-minute Sonya Dakar Ultra Luxe Facial ($185), an anti-aging treatment that incorporates a less grotesque but certainly wacky ingredient of its own: synthetic snake venom known as Synake made by Sonya Dakar. According to Tessler, the ingredient is intended to “stop the ‘send’ message of muscle contraction” while the rest of the facial hydrates and balances the skin and pampers the senses.

Snake massage
According to ForbesTraveler.com, Israeli spa Ada Barak adds some “slickness” to a traditional massage to relax clients’ aching muscles: Six nonvenomous snakes slip-slide down your spine.
Local reaction “We’re always looking for the latest treatment that’s going to give guests the element of relaxation while still being unique,” says Deja Goldstein, spa director at the Spa at Trump (401 N Wabash Ave, 312-588-8020). “[This service] will certainly get press, but I don’t think it’s what our guests are looking for. We find that back-to-basics [treatments are] always what prevail.”
Until it comes to Chicago, try the Spa at Trump’s 90-minute Signature Gem Stone service ($300). Guests select aromatherapeutic diamond-, sapphire-, emerald- or ruby-infused oils flown in from Dubai, which the aesthetician then incorporates into a relaxing and rhythmic massage, with hand movements choreographed in sets of three.

Fish reflexology
In this treatment, popular 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 peds smooth and exfoliated.
Local reaction While we think this service has the most realistic chance of making an appearance in a Chicago spa, it might take a bit more convincing to sway Peter Rubnitz of Urban Oasis (12 W Maple St, 312-587-3500; 939 W North Ave, 312-640-0001). “Well, I guess if there’s a restaurant in town where you can eat sushi off the body of a scantily clad girl, there could be a spa where piranhas eat your dead skin off,” he jokes. “Seriously, I cannot imagine this treatment ever being offered in Chicago. Way too creepy.”
Until it comes to Chicago, try the more traditional foot reflexology at Urban Oasis ($65 for 30 minutes; $100 as part of a 60-minute massage). Instead of focusing on exfoliation, the service is based on the belief that certain areas of the feet correspond to and affect specific parts of the body.