Ion detox baths will not remove toxins through the bottom of your feet, but they also won't do you any harm. Foot detox baths are part of the multimillion dollar detox industry on the rise since the early 1990s. According to Stephen Barrett at DeviceWatch.org, as well as experts at Harvard Medical School, the theory behind foot detox baths is pseudo-science, enhanced by colorful visual effects. But, whether you believe in foot detoxing or not, a long soak in warm, moving water is a soothing way to detox your stress level.
Understand the Process
An ion detox foot bath is a small basin about the size of any vibrating or massaging foot bath, and it runs on electricity. The basin contains a central mechanism that alternately releases positive and negative ions, which allegedly reverberate with the toxins in your body, encouraging them to leave you through the bottoms of your feet, where they can be identified.
Prepare the Ion Detox Foot Bath
Fill the basin with warm water. Don't make it too hot or you'll irritate your skin. Plug the power cord into the wall and turn the unit on. Sprinkle the included salts into the water and let them dissolve. These salts will supposedly help draw the toxins from your body.
Prepare Your Feet
Wash your feet in warm, clear water. Use a loofah or net scrubber to exfoliate any dead skin. Pat your feet dry with a clean towel. It may seem odd to wash your feet before soaking them, but apparently the oils in any lotions or soap that may have dried on your skin can react with the salts in the detox bath.
Detox
Leave your feet soaking in the water for at least 30 minutes. The water should change colors as you soak, becoming darker as time goes on. According to the many websites devoted to ionic foot detox, this color change stems from the reaction between the toxins leaving your body and the salts in the bath water. According to Barrett, this reaction is due to the rust produced by immersing the metal electrodes in the saltwater.
Interpret the Results
Ion detox foot baths generally include a card that has all of the different colors the water may contain on it, along with a description of what toxin caused the particular color. According to Harvard Health Publication, no evidence suggests that it's possible to draw toxins out through the bottom of your feet, either by ionic stimulation or any other method. But, if the color coding on the card suggests that your diet is too high in fat or that your immune system is sluggish, adopting a healthier lifestyle certainly won't hurt.
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