Mud

Generality

In the cosmetic field, hyperthermalized (or hyperthermal) sludges derived from the mixing of a solid clayey fraction with a liquid component (thermal water) are defined as mud or peloids .

The beneficial properties of sludge are exploited not only in the cosmetic field, but also in the medical field: not surprisingly, mud-based treatments are in great demand by men and women who wish to improve some skin blemishes or restore certain dermatological disorders, in particular acne, blackheads, cellulite, stretch marks and even wrinkles.

Given the many fields of application and the beneficial properties of the mud, it is clear why mud-balneotherapy has achieved great success in the cosmetic field and, above all, in the medical field. It is, in fact, a practice that consists precisely in the cutaneous application of thermal mud in the form of compresses for the treatment / improvement of some disorders of the skin, muscles and the osteoarticular apparatus.

Muds in cosmetics

The cosmetic and therapeutic-like benefits that are obtained from the mud packs are the result of the union between the biological properties of the thermal waters and the effect of heat on the skin. We remember, in fact, that the muds must be applied to the skin at a temperature of 45-48 ° C: in doing so, these treatments stimulate the microcirculation, encourage sweating, promote the elimination of metabolism waste and toxins, and promote exchanges ionic increasing the electrical conductivity of the skin. For this reason, mud packs are indicated in the treatment of acne and impure skin, and in body toning.

The mud packs are also indicated for the treatment of dandruff: applied to the hair, the thermal mud regularizes the production of sebum and revitalizes the hair shaft.

To enhance the beneficial effect of hot packs, muds are often embellished with essential oils or other herbal extracts. For example, an anti-cellulite mud is typically enriched with extracts of Centella asiatica, horse chestnut, butcher's broom and ivy: these active ingredients are specifically chosen to stimulate microcirculation, consequently to promote the drainage of interstitial fluids and promote the elimination of toxins.

To increase its beneficial properties, mud is often mixed with warm sea water and seaweed.

Medical Muds

It is not uncommon for doctors to recommend thermal mud packs to their patients for the improvement of various problems. The thermal muds are, in fact, extremely advantageous and often suggested as a complement to medical therapy, because:

Lighten osteoarticular disorders in affected patients (anti-inflammatory properties).
They relieve pain in the presence of degenerative joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Prevent any re-ignition of rheumatic pains.
They limit cartilage damage in patients suffering from joint pain.
They provide relief from pain in the presence of neuralgia, neuritis and osteoporosis.
They relax the muscles (myorelaxing action) and promote blood circulation.

Finally, it seems that mud-balneotherapy can have beneficial effects even in patients suffering from chronic respiratory diseases.

Curiosity

Some experts strongly believe in the therapeutic properties of mud, so much so as to recommend mud therapy even to speed up the healing of diseases such as flu, measles, stomach disorders, toothache and diphtheria.

Mud maturation

Before being applied to the skin, the mud must mature: in other words, to enrich itself with therapeutic properties, the mud (called "virgin mud") must undergo a maturation process in thermal water for at least 6-12 months. In this way, the clay that makes up the mud acquires and incorporates all the chemical-physical properties of the thermal water.

Depending on the type of thermal water used - during the period of maturation - the mud can also be colonized by vegetable microflora (such as algae) and / or microorganisms able to increase and further improve the final properties of the thermal mud.

After completing the maturation process, the mud is ready to fully exercise its beneficial effect.

Classification

The systems used to classify the different types of sludge are multiple. For example, a very common type of classification is that based on the geological characteristics of the so-called virgin mud (ie the mud that has not yet been subjected to maturation in thermal water). However, most probably, the most well-known form of classification is that carried out according to the type of thermal water used for the maturation of the mud and according to the type of trace elements it contains. In this regard, we can therefore distinguish:

Sulphurous mud;
Chlorinated muds (the most appreciated in spas);
Sulphurous muds;
Salsoiodic muds;
Ferruginous sludge;
Arsenic mud.

Application

To be applied to the skin, the mud must be warm. In detail, at the time of application the temperature is estimated at around 45-50 ° C.

However, it is good to specify that - when used in the medical field - the temperature to which the mud must be applied, is usually determined by the doctor who works in the structure to which it is addressed following an accurate check-up to be carried out before perform any type of treatment.

However, the patient who undergoes mud-balneotherapy is gradually covered with slime all over the body, or in a specific body area (for example, neck, back, upper or lower limbs, joints, etc.). After that, the areas on which the mud was applied are covered with sheets, blankets and / or tarpaulins in order to minimize heat loss.

The session is completed after 12-15 minutes, but can be extended up to a maximum of 20 minutes (no more).

Subsequently, the mud that has adhered to the skin must be removed with the help of jets of water, preferably lukewarm (thermal shower). After removing the mud, we recommend a thermal bath at 35-37 ° C for about 8-10 minutes, at the end of which the patient will be dried using a warm cloth.

At this point, to encourage sweating and water exchange, the patient is accompanied in a separate room, where he will be laid out on a couch and covered with a warm cloth for a period of time that can vary from 15-30 minutes to 60 minutes . This period is commonly referred to as a "reaction period".

Finally, to amplify and further increase the benefits of the mud, the patient can undergo a thermal massage.

Did you know that ...

A good part of the patients who undergo thermal mud treatments to improve osteoarticular disorders declare to reduce the consumption of medicinal products by 10% in the months following therapy.

Frequency

As we have seen, mud-balneotherapy is particularly indicated to improve the appearance of the skin and restore acne and oily skin. However, the frequency of application must not be excessive: a cycle of three mud packs is sufficient, to be repeated every 3-5 days.

However, depending on the type of disorder to be treated, the number of sessions required to complete the "therapeutic protocol" could be greater.

Contraindications

Although it is not a proper medicine, mud packs are not suitable for everyone. The main contraindications to the use of mud as a cosmetic / medical treatment are the following: