Droppings from a type of bird called Nightingale are used frequently for facials at high-class spas and allegedly to do softening, brightening and nourishing of the face. But how does it smell after? Can infected Nightingale transmit diseases such as the 'Bird Flu' through their poops?

Nightingale faeces or uguisu no fun in Japanese is referred to the excrement produced by a nightingale called Japanese bush warbler (cettia diphone). These droppings are used as facials since the ancient Japanese times but were recently introduced to the Western world. Individuals having this kind of facial are coined as "Geisha Facial."

Primary Uses

Nightingale poops are supposed to lighten skin, balance skin tones, prevent pimple or sun damage. Rice bran is sometimes added to the poop for exfoliation, massaged for few minutes and then rinsed off. This kind of facial is usually odourless and sanitised which can take up to one hour and ir is more or less expensive.

What Composes the Nightingale Poop?

Droppings produced by the Nightingale have high concentrations of nitrogen-rich urea (found in urine) and guanine, a type of amino acid. Aside from being used as a fertiliser, the urea is commonly found in cosmetic applications to hold skin moisture while guanine creates shimmery, iridescent effect in cosmetics, paints, plastics and other products.

Does it Contain Any Bacteria or Parasites?

Common wild bird droppings contain bacteria, fungi and other not-so-good components. Fortunately, uguisu no fun is safe due to the bird's special diet, controlled environment and process it undergoes for purification.

Is it Safe to Everyone?

Even there are no bacteria, fungi or harmful substances, the droppings cannot touch the eyes, nose or mouth to prevent irritation and individuals must first do an allergy test to assure no reaction once applied to their skin or it will make the skin worse.

Infected Nightingale and Transmission

Normally, the type of bird producing the "facial poop" is under controlled habitat and unlikely to transmit anything. However, Lai Shiow-suey, an honorary professor at the National Taiwan University School of Veterinary Medicine stated that birds infected with the H7N9 avian influenza in high concentrations can transmit the virus to their faeces.

"Although the H7N9 virus can destroyed if the excrement ferments at between 70 degrees Celsius to 80 degrees Celsius for a long period of time, unfermented poultry faeces could leak during transportation and pose a health risk," reported Taipei Times.

Moreover, birds and insects eating the unfermented droppings can also spread the disease according to Liu Pei-po, former director of the Taiwan Provincial Research Institute for Animal Health.

Who is Using Geisha Facial?

Victoria Beckham used the uguisu no fun to improve her skin when she was suffering from acne. Her husband, David Beckham, uses the product as well.

If you have any intention on using the product, make sure to double check spa clinic if they really use uguisu no fun to avoid any possible allergic reaction or fake 'poops' used on your skin just to cash out your wallet.