# Burning Beauty Treatments The Huo Liao Procedure Involves Setting a Person's Face on Fire By Meghan Young | Published 2013-03-09 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/huo-liao References: [neatorama](http://www.neatorama.com/2013/03/08/New-Beauty-Treatment-Setting-Your-Face-on-Fire/) & [en.rocketnews24](http://en.rocketnews24.com/2013/02/18/chinese-beauty-salons-make-your-eyes-shimmer-by-lighting-them-on-fire/) The saying, 'Beauty is pain,' has never rang so true as it does with the [radical Huo Liao beauty treatment](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skin-rejuvenation-treatment). On a very basic level, it involves setting the client's face on fire. Literally. Of course, Huo Liao (which means 'fire treatment' in Chinese) is a careful procedure that doesn't burn the skin, or else that would defeat the purpose entirely. Instead, the fire activates the properties in a [specially prepared secret elixer](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/muihood-tao-rice-water-essence) that is soaked into a towel and placed on a problem area. As shocking as Huo Liao may seem, it is a widely practiced form of [alternative therapy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy), particularly in China from which it originates. To get the fire started, alcohol is added as a starter fluid and then lit. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 52% | Activity: 79% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Cosmetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/cosmetics) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Alternative Beauty Treatments:** Huo Liao is just one example of the growing trend towards alternative beauty treatments that offer unique and unconventional experiences for consumers. - **Fire-based Therapies:** The use of fire as a therapeutic tool is a trend that is gaining traction in various wellness industries, from skincare to chiropractic practice. - **Secret Elixirs:** The use of traditionally-prepared herbal and natural elixirs is a trend that is being rediscovered and revitalized in the alternative beauty and health industries. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Beauty and Wellness:** The beauty and wellness industries are relevant to alternative beauty treatments and fire-based therapies which are disrupting traditional practices. - **Herbal Medicine:** The herbal medicine industry is applicable to the use of secret elixirs in alternative therapies. - **Traditional Chinese Medicine:** The traditional Chinese medicine industry may find opportunities to incorporate fire-based therapy in their practice. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Skin Resurfacing Treatments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/resurfacing-flash-peel.md) - [Novel Noninvasive Facelifts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noninvasive-facelift.md) - [AI-Powered Facial Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-powered-facial.md) - [Ai Burn Treatment Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retune.md) - [Skin Gym Face Treatments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lpg-endermologie.md) - [Spicy Pepper Body Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/superchili-body-mask.md) - [Medicinal Chinese Skincare Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/muihood-tao-rice-water-essence.md) - [Open-Air Medi-Spa Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/medical-beauty-bar.md) - [Beautifying Body Renewal Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/body-renewal-system.md)