Q&A for How to Take a Detox Bath

Yes; use an all natural or organic lotion or even organic coconut oil.

The baking soda is supposed to be put in at the beginning before you add the other ingredients for at least 5 minutes to neutralize the chlorine.

Yes. The main thing for that would be using Epsom salt, which will soften your skin.

It may, but a detox bath is all about helping you purge your body of toxins, so it's mainly just a cleanse.

Dead Sea salt is a fantastic substitute, as its mineral content is much higher than regular sea salt.

Yes, you can rinse with cool or lukewarm water to get all the Epsom salt residue off your body.

Create a "sauna-like" experience. If you have a shower, turn it to the highest setting and allow the steam to fill the bathroom. Bring essential oils with you as well. Drink a cup of hot ginger tea prior to sitting in the steam-filled bathroom. This should help with perspiration.

I would wait a couple of hours or so before going outside as the detox is taxing on the body and you may feel too tired for outdoor activities.

Half a cap of tea tree is too much. 1 drop of essential oil is the equivalent of one handful of herbs. Generally, you will use no more than 10 drops of essential oil in a bath.

You can do it is frequently or as infrequently as you like.

Not usually. Your bathtub will only get dirty from Epsom salts if you take a detox bath every single day for a long period of time (a year or so). Other than that, no marks should remain. And a good scrub each week will ensure that the bath stays in good condition.

While there's nothing specifically wrong with bananas, you should try to avoid eating anything before a detox bath.

Use a soap that is made with oil (olive, coconut, etc.), as most store-brand soaps tend to be harsh, and can contribute to dry skin. A good oil-based soap (usually marketed as "organic" or "natural") will not lather as much, but leaves skin smooth. You can find these at specialty health-based grocery stores such as Whole Foods.

You can sometimes find it at a grocery store or at a supermarket. Some beauty supply stores may also sell it. You can always buy it online as well. If you cannot find it under the name "Himalayan salt," try searching for "pink salt" instead.

It is recommended that you rinse your body after a detox bath as the Epsom salts will crystallize on your skin.

Water or a rehydration mix (sports drink or medical rehydration crystals) may help. Ginger ale is good as well.

Yes, detox baths can help with acne.

As often as you would like as long as you stay hydrated. I recommend 3 times at most, I've had experiences of feeling drained after the third.

No, and you should never add essential oils to a bath without adding some sort of fat to the water as a dispersant. You can use coconut milk, whole milk, or a teaspoon of a vegetable oil. Never use citrus like bergamot, lemon or hot oils like ginger or peppermint to a bath. Your skin is super absorbent when it is wet, and it can tear. Plus, you have all those mucous membranes to be concerned with. The directions in this article are a good way to end up in the ER. If you take Rx drugs, you should definitely talk to a certified aromatherapist or naturopathic doctor before using anything natural.

Yes, just keep the temperature no higher than 100 degrees and also keep very hydrated.

Not typically. Epsom salts can be used orally to help relieve constipation, but the amount your body soaks up isn't enough to cause soft stools. Detoxing can cause some reactions like that, because it allows your body to release toxins, but that type of detox is usually oral as well. Bath detoxing can cause dehydration, so make sure not to skip drinking water before, during, and after the bath.

Yes, you can. However, you may be drained of energy, which can cause dizziness. If you feel dizzy, you should lie down, not stand in the shower. Your skin will be sensitive, so do not over-cleanse, and use a natural, non-irritating soap, such as olive oil, vegetable glycerin, etc.

Your skin will absorb those nutrients and minerals into your body and release sweat. Rinsing off afterward is recommended to prevent any discomfort from leftover salt on your body.

Although the amount of salt absorbed through the skin likely won't be enough to affect your dietary needs, you can leave them out entirely. Epsom salts, baking soda, and apple cider vinegar alone will be very beneficial, with or without salt.

Probably hard to come by, but you can find peer reviewed studies on just about every subject on Google Scholar.

Twice a week is recommended for it to really work.

Yes. Detox bathing can lead one to be dehydrated, drained, and even dizzy. It also makes the skin more sensitive. Therefore, cleansing before (as opposed to after) is preferred for safety reasons. If you have performed the detox before and know your reaction to it though, you can cleanse after with caution.

The expression "salt in an open wound" is based on fact: the salts (both sodium chloride and others) can hurt. Open sores also give opportunities for infection. You should avoid adding any ingredients to a bath when you have open sores unless it has been cleared by a health care professional.

Yes, they are different. Body exfoliating is meant to remove dead skin.

Yes. Sea salt is only recommended, not required.