Quote by Julie Burchill
I've always thought of beauty therapy, 'alternative' treatments and the like as the female equivalent of brothels - for essentially self-deceiving people who feel a bit hollow and have to pay to be touched.
Summary
This quote suggests that the speaker views beauty therapy, alternative treatments, and similar practices as indulgences for individuals, primarily women, who are seeking validation and physical connection by paying for these services. The speaker appears to hold a cynical view, suggesting that these practices are forms of self-deception and are comparable to brothels, where individuals pay for physical intimacy.