Bloody idiots

Concern as beauticians offer bloodletting amid a national shortage

- BY SASKIA ROWLANDS

COSMETIC cowboys are risking customers' lives by selling bloodletting services.

The procedure, which involves drawing large quantities of blood from the body, was discredited in the 19th century.

But beauticians with no medical qualifications are now offering to let blood, falsely claiming it can cure a range of health issues from chronic fatigue to hormone imbalance, migraines and burnout.

So-called experts are plugging the quack treatment, called venesection, on social media with photos of blood being taken.

One charges £80 per session.

The Facebook page says: "When the blood is heavy, stagnant or full of waste, oxygen can't circulate properly.