A gold-leaf facial is the latest beauty craze among ladies of a certain age.

The Luxe 24 Karat Gold Facial uses the highest grade of gold leaf in an 80-minute procedure which costs $400. The flakes of gold leaf are laid on the face, before being massaged in.

UMO – the company behind the facial – claimed that the procedure will result in firmer, brighter and more supple skin.

The treatment’s use of the metal follows a strong historical tradition. It is said that Cleopatra slept in a gold mask every night, and Chinese empresses supposedly used gold rollers to massage their faces.

However, the precious metal has not been commonly used for modern day treatments because it is very difficult to make it penetrate the skin.

UMO claims that it has developed technology which allows staff at the Charleston Place spa in South Carolina, where the 24-carat facial is offered, to overcome this problem.

It is following a trend for ever more luxurious beauty treatments, such as using caviar as a conditioner on the hair.

Sturgeon eggs are also used in La Prairie’s products, whose fans in Hollywood include Angelina Jolie, and facials which use diamonds and pearls are also available. Source : Daily Mail