Hot mineral baths help heal skin problems, reduce stress and increase blood circulation, and are even a “medicine” for pain relief and blood pressure regulation.
Dr. Tran Le Linh Trang, Department of Allergy – Dermatology and Allergy Center, 108 Central Military Hospital, said that hot mineral baths are a treatment therapy from three physical therapies: hydrotherapy, thermotherapy and mineral therapy. When bathing in hot mineral baths, the body is affected by the water pressure, sometimes strong, sometimes weak, like a massage, bringing many health benefits.
Some studies have shown the role of some trace elements in hot springs in protecting the skin such as copper, selenium, antioxidants, stimulating collagen restructuring, helping to reduce wrinkles. Magnesium stimulates the immune system to increase the skin’s protective barrier. Sulfur plays an important role in the body’s proper vitamin metabolism, fighting skin infections, especially acne-causing bacteria.
“Therefore, in addition to the usual beauty methods, people can consider using hot mineral water to have healthy and beautiful skin,” said Dr. Trang.
Hot mineral baths help reduce stress and increase blood circulation. Photo: Phuong Linh
Sharing the same opinion, Dr. Doan Thu Hong, Vietnam Institute of Applied Medicine, said that in addition to the benefits of “healing” the skin, hot mineral baths also help increase blood circulation and improve cardiovascular health, reducing high blood pressure.
The heat from the water helps dilate blood vessels, thereby increasing blood circulation throughout the body. When blood circulation increases, more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to cells, helping to remove toxins. This can help prevent problems such as high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and other cardiovascular conditions.
Hot spring baths also help reduce stress and promote restful sleep. The soft, warm water that hugs the body helps relax muscles and increase blood circulation, which can relieve physical symptoms of stress. Meanwhile, the serene scenery—a hallmark of many hot spring locations—provides a tranquil environment that promotes mental relaxation and significantly reduces stress levels.
Simple actions like focusing on your breathing, looking at a peaceful scene, listening to the sounds of nature around you and being present in the moment help induce a meditative state. The effect is holistic, helping to rebalance both body and mind, promoting restful sleep.
Pain relief is also a benefit of hot mineral baths, according to Dr. Hong. Essentially, the therapy can act “like a full-body hot pack.” In a 2021 study published in the journal Inquiry, which surveyed nearly 1,300 people with joint or muscle pain, including rheumatoid arthritis, 83% said that hot mineral baths helped relieve their symptoms after bathing.
According to Dr. Trang, hot mineral baths can be applied in many different places, from natural springs to health care resorts, even at home with home mineral generation technology. In fact, not every land has natural hot mineral springs, and not every spring has good therapeutic effects for health. However, some mineralization technologies help regenerate hot mineral streams, providing therapeutic capabilities, personalizing scents and colors, suitable for each person’s purpose.
Doctors advise everyone to know how to bathe properly to achieve the best results such as: Need to replenish water before and after bathing. Before bathing, need to get used to the water temperature, should not suddenly pour water on the body will be shocked. Should not bathe too long in one bath, only about 15-20 minutes with water temperature of 43-45 degrees Celsius.