Salt water pools are healthier / Make your tub your pool !

The Benefits of Salt Water Pools – Health
Many people who develop sensitivities to chlorine pools make the decision to switch to salt water pools. While salt water pool systems produce chlorine naturally, they do not require the
Additional pool chemicals, such as stabilizers or algaecides, needed for chlorinated pools. The chlorine levels in salt water pools are also lower than in chlorinated pools, reducing the occurrence of chlorine-sensitive allergies.

The most common reactions to chlorine pools include respiratory, skin and nasal reactions. High levels of chlorine may irate the eyes, as well. The higher level of chlorine in chlorinated pools may lead to bladder cancer, according to WebMD, or to asthma and allergies in infants and toddlers, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Both risks increase due to exposure from disinfection byproducts (DBPs), which occurs when chlorine breaks down organic elements, such as sweat or urine. Other substances, such as perfume, lotion, deodorant, and makeup can contribute to the development of DBPs. Some studies suggest that babies, who are still developing their lungs, may inhale DBPs when they swim in chlorinated pools, leading to the onset of asthma or other allergies.

In addition to these things, salt water often feels better on the skin. Some studies indicate that salt water can help clear up certain skin conditions, such as psoriasis, acne and eczema. The salt water prevents skin from drying out and eliminates the flaky residue that chlorine can leave on skin. Salt water may help reduce joint inflammation, promote relaxation and relieve pain
Does Saltwater Really Help My Skin?
Author: Aaron Krach Posted: 11/25/2011

Not so fast.

When highly concentrated, mineral-rich saltwater is actually a natural moisturizer. Well-hydrated skin is healthy skin, elastic and soft to the touch. Unfortunately, to find water with enough salt content to benefit your skin, you’d have to go to Israel and jump into the Dead Sea.
“Concentrated salt water, as found in the Dead Sea, seems to help skin hydration, improve the rate of skin growth and decrease inflammation,” says Dr. Anne Chapas, a dermatologist and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at NYU School of Medicine. “But it’s unclear if normal sea water has these properties.”

The Dead What?
The first thing to understand is that the ocean is about 3.5 percent salient. The Dead Sea is about 9 times as salty. It also contains large quantities of skin-healthy minerals such as magnesium, which the ocean has too, but in much lower concentrations.
Studies have shown that soaking in water from the million-year-old Dead Sea hydrates the skin and reduces surface inflammation. This can feel good -- especially if you suffer from eczema or psoriasis, incurable but treatable conditions where skin is raw, red and irritated.
Can’t get around the world? All is not lost. A trip to the ocean can offer mild relief for certain skin conditions. But in a quirk of nature, it’s probably not the saltwater that makes a man feel better.

Sun Therapy
Most scientific evidence seems to support that the sun as the main contributor to skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, explains Chapas. “Both improve when exposed to a narrow wave of UV light found in sun exposure. Unfortunately, all the other and more harmful waves also occur during this sun exposure and can lead to skin cancer. To capture the beneficial wavelength without the other harmful ones, psoriasis and eczema patients often undergo UV light therapy in their dermatologist’s office.”
But if you have psoriasis, eczema or bad acne, you know that a day at the beach works wonders on your skin. So science be damned, right? Well, you’re not wrong to think that way.
Sun rays encourage natural exfoliation, which helps unclog pores to clear acne and remove patches of dead cells that are a bane of psoriasis sufferers.
However, your skin’s positive reaction is most likely psychological. Think about it. When, exactly, are you at the beach? Usually on weekends or during vacation, right? You’re relaxed, feeling good. So the healing you experience is most likely a combination of sun, saltwater and the stress-free environment. The sun dries out oily skin, the saltwater hydrates it naturally, and not being at work is … well, liberating.
So enjoy the beach this weekend.


HOMEMADE BATH SALTS

MAKING YOUR TUB,YOUR POOL, YOUR SEAD SEA!

Enjoy the healing benefits of homemade bath salts with these aromatherapy bath salt recipes containing epsom salt, Dead Sea salt, and therapeutic essential oils.
There are few things more pleasurable for body and spirit than a luxurious soak in the bath. Adding homemade bath salts that contain therapeutic essential oils, epsom salt, and Dead Sea salt will turn every bath into an aromatherapy experience with many health benefits. Making your own aromatherapy bath salts is fun and easy. They make beautiful, welcome gifts as well!

Why Homemade Bath Salts?
Creating homemade bath salts assures that all of the ingredients are good quality and that there are no additional drying agents or preservatives. Some commercial bath salts use ordinary table salt (sodium chloride) that dry the skin. Since it is readily absorbed into the skin, it can result in increased puffiness and have the same negative health effects as if it was consumed in excess, especially for those prone to fluid retention.

Many commercial bath salts use fragrance oils rather than essential oils. These are synthetic chemical compounds that smell good but have no therapeutic benefits and can cause skin reactions in those with sensitive skin. Use only pure, good quality essential oils from reputable sources in your homemade bath salts for the health benefits they offer.

Epsom Salt Bath Benefits

Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, has a similar appearance to table salt but it is a very different substance. Soaking in an epsom salt bath increases the magnesium and sulfate levels through skin absorption to offer the following benefits as reported by researchers and physicians:

improves heart health and circulation
prevents hardening of the arteries and blood clots
lowers blood pressure
eases muscle pain and cramps
softens skin
assists in the elimination of toxins, heavy metals, and environmental contaminants
relieves stress
aids in preventing migraine headaches and relieving pain
reduces the severity of diabetes by improving the body's ability to use insulin

Dead Sea Salt Bath Benefits

Dead Sea salt is very low in sodium and contains minerals, including bromide and magnesium, that are beneficial to health. Research has shown that regular soaking in dead sea salt baths improves skin hydration and significantly reduces skin roughness and inflammation. Other benefits of Dead Sea salt baths include:

effective treatment for psoriasis and acne
accelerates healing of rashes, insect bites, and other skin irritations
improves skin barrier function
cleanses and detoxifies
reduces the depth of wrinkling
improved sleep
Aromatherapy Bath Salt Recipes
The following aromatherapy bath salt recipes begin with the same salt base:

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2 cup Epsom salt
2 cups Dead Sea salt
Because these salts aid in skin hydration, they are naturally moisturizing and softening so no oils are needed. However, you may add one to two tablespoons of a good quality natural plant oil such as hemp oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, grape-seed oil, apricot kernel oil, or olive oil. Do not use baby oil, which is a petroleum based product that coats and seals the skin, negating the healing benefits of the salt bath.

To use, add about a cup of bath salts to warm bath water, mixing to dissolve and disperse the salts. Soak for 15 – 20 minutes for maximum benefit.

Relaxing Bedtime Bath

7 drops lavender

Store your aromatherapy bath salts in pretty glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Dollar stores are a great resource for inexpensive selections. You can often find lovely containers at antique stores, estate sales, and thrift shops as well. To keep it simple, recycle food jars, covering the lids with squares of cloth and securing them with ribbon bows. Be creative! Enjoy your homemade bath salts even when you aren't in the tub soaking in healing luxury.

References:

"The Science of Epsom Salt," Epsom Salt Council.

Proksch, Ehrhardt MD, et al."Bathing in a magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt solution improves skin barrier function, enhances skin hydration, and reduces inflammation in atopic dry skin," International Journal of Dermatology.