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Have you had a mud mask or seaweed wrap? Seawater treatments give many options including thalassotherapy, thermal baths and whirlpool baths to hydro-massaging baths and hydro-jets.
Spas in France incorporate seawater into their services. It is readily available. Not having access to these waters one may still benefit from sea products that are very popular and available. This may include marine clays, algae and plants. They are effective in cleansing and revitalizing the skin.
Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes and not for diagnosis.
These sea treatments promote detoxification while providing the addition of minerals into the body. Through a medical spa these treatments are given by highly trained and skilled technicians. Your smaller spa will not have access to bigger equipment such as a thalassotherapy tub but could offer marine plant products. These services may overlap or be combined.
Our skin is about 64% water. As we age we tend to dry up. Basically, our cells are always bathing in water that is very similar to seawater.
Spa Treatments Using Seawater or Sea Products
Thalassotherapy is a technique using seawater and sea products as a form of therapy, to benefit and care for the skin. This may also include; marine plants such as algae, seaweed, and marine mud even adding the climate promoting health, wellness and beauty in the larger spas of France.
It was developed in northern France in seaside towns during the 19th century. At that time royalty and the rich and famous would travel to France to take advantage of the waters benefits. Modern days have put into practice following certain standards and rules.
Today we may be exposed to a poor diet, stress and pollution as we struggle to keep a balance. Thalassotherapy can be used to relieve stress, weight loss and healing aches and pains. It offers an effective and natural way of increasing the blood circulation which reduces inflammation by moving toxins out quickly to the lymphatic system. It is used for the entire body and extensively practiced in health spas throughout the world. It’s mainly a medical specialty.
In treating our skin it is used to relieve acne, eczema and psoriasis, for anti-aging treatment and cellulite. Therapies also benefit pores by firming, toning and moisturizing.
The thalassotherapy tub is filled with hot sea water. As the client relaxes in the tub, gentle air bubbles massage the lymphatic system and water jets massage the deeper tissues.
Balneotherapy involves treatment by bathing in hot springs (people during the Victorian era traveled to spring waters to cure their ailments) and other natural waters rich with minerals. Natural spring waters are preferred; it is a type of hydrotherapy. Balneotherapy has been popular for centuries and is similar to Thalassotherapy.
This promotes healing through increasing circulation, encouraging detox and relieving stress. It reduces pain and stiffness while promoting the muscles to relax. For our skin it is used to treat chronic plaque psoriasis, chronic psoriatic psoriasis and eczema.
Thermal baths have become an important aspect of traditional medicine in many cultures and countries and offered in spas around the world. They use naturally heated springs.
Thermal baths have a high silica content that can smooth and soften dry and rough skin while the sulfur contained in the water can hold properties that may relieve eczema and psoriasis.
Scotch hoses a hydrotherapy treatment that has you standing with back against a wall holding onto the positioned handles. The spa therapist uses a hand held shower head directing water onto you from a distance while the water massages your body. This can target certain areas. Hot water is used in dilating the blood vessels as the pressure massages the deep muscle tissue and promotes lymphatic drainage.
The algae pack treatment includes algae mixed with sea water to form a paste. This is then spread on the client’s spine and covered with paraffin wax. The wax prevents the skin from losing moisture and through heating; the algae paste is absorbed into the skin. The treatment is done along the spinal column because our bones are closest to the surface and the major network of arteries and veins there. The marine ions from the algae pack absorb quickly and penetrate into the body rapidly.
Check for medical contradictions before booking a seawater treatment or bathing in these waters.
Marine Plants
Don’t fret by using sea products you still get the essential benefits if a seawater service is not available.
Seaweed (wraps), algae (mask) and sediments also have beneficial properties and are more readily available to most estheticians than seawater. Seaweed and algae products collect and contain all the materials from the ocean. Just over two pounds of seaweed holds the same mineral amount as 2500 gallons of sea water. Sediments; like clay and peloids (a preparation of mud or clay and minerals, used for therapy) also hold many trace elements and minerals.
These marine plants used in skincare also perform many important functions. By adding minerals and rehydrating the skin this helps in retaining moisture. Marine plants contain phytohormones that are compatible with human hormones, so they work in the same way as essential oils and herbs do. They are rich sources of iodine, acting on the thyroid gland, promoting more thyroxin, essential to our immune system.
Seaweed is very helpful with treatments for acne. However, because of the rich iodine content, seaweed should be avoided on clients who have an allergy to shellfish. Seaweed and algae stimulate the circulation by assisting nutrition and detoxification of our cells. Clays and peloids give a soothing and calming effect as well as decongesting the pores. Sea products combined with essential oils work especially well.
Essential minerals found in seaweed include;
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Iodine
- Phosphorous
- Calcium
These are easily absorbed right into the skin then the bloodstream minus digestion. Since our own blood plasma is similar to the sea these important trace minerals help the body absorb the large quantities of vitamins, amino acids and polysaccharide sugars found in seaweed. This balances our own fluids helping to maintain the healthy alkaline pH.
Our paramedics today, transfuse saline solution into accident victims while transporting to the hospital.
You may inquire if your spa or a spa you want to check out offer any seawater or sea product services. As with any service check out the medical contradictions first.
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