Mud

Generality

In the cosmetic field, they are defined as muds or peloids hyperthermalized (or hyperthermal) slimes derived from the mixing of a solid clay fraction with a liquid component (thermal water).

The beneficial properties of muds 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 imperfections or heal certain dermatological disorders, in particular acne, blackheads, cellulite, stretch marks and even wrinkles.
Given the multiple fields of application and the beneficial properties exerted by mud, it is clear why mud-balneotherapy has achieved great success in the cosmetic field and, above all, in the medical field.In fact, it is a practice that consists precisely in the cutaneous application of thermal mud in the form of packs for the treatment / improvement of some disorders of the skin, muscles and osteoarticular system.

Mud in Cosmetics

The cosmetic and therapeutic-like benefits obtained from 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 remind you, 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, favor the elimination of metabolic waste and toxins, and promote exchanges ionic by increasing the electrical conductivity of the skin For this reason, mud packs are indicated in the treatment of acne and impure skin, and in toning the body.
Mud packs are also indicated for the treatment of dandruff: applied to the hair, the thermal mud regulates the production of sebum and revitalizes the hair shaft.
To enhance the beneficial effect of hot packs, the muds are often embellished with essential oils or other herbal extracts. For example, an anti-cellulite mud is typically enriched with gotu kola, horse chestnut, ruscus and ivy extracts: these active ingredients are specially chosen. to stimulate microcirculation, consequently to promote the drainage of interstitial fluids and favor the elimination of toxins.

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

Mud in Medicine

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

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

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

Curiosity

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

Mud ripening

Before being applied to the skin, the mud must mature: in other words, in order to be enriched with therapeutic properties, the mud (defined as "virgin mud") must be subjected to a process of maturation in thermal water for at least 6-12 months. By doing so, 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 ripening period - the mud can also be colonized by vegetable microflora (such as algae) and / or microorganisms capable of further increasing and improving the final properties of the thermal mud.
After completing the maturation process, the mud is ready to fully exert its beneficial effect.

Classification

The systems used to classify the different types of sludge are many. For example, a very widespread type of classification is that which is 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 likely, the best 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:

• Sulfur muds;
• Chlorinated mud (the most popular in spas);
• Sulphurous muds;
• Salso-iodic muds;
• Ferruginous sludge;
• Arsenic sludge.

Application

To be applied to the skin, the muds must be hot. In detail, at the time of application the temperature is estimated to be around 45-50 ° C.
However, it should be noted that - when used in the medical field - the temperature at which the mud must be applied is usually determined by the doctor who works in the facility to which it is addressed following a thorough check-up to be carried out before perform any type of treatment.

In any case, the patient who undergoes mud-balneotherapy is gradually covered with slime all over the body, or in a specific area of ​​the body (for example, neck, back, upper or lower limbs, joints, etc.). After that, the areas where the mud has been 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). Once the mud robe has been removed, we recommend a thermal bath at a temperature of 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 to a separate closet, where he will be placed on a bed and covered with a warm cloth for a period of time that can vary from 15-30 minutes up to 60 minutes. . This period is commonly referred to as the "reaction period".
Finally, to amplify and further increase the benefits exerted by the mud, the patient can undergo a thermal massage.

Did you know that ...

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

Frequency

As we have seen, to improve the appearance of the skin and heal acne and oily skin, mud-balneotherapy is particularly indicated. However, the frequency of application should not be excessive: a cycle of three mud packs is sufficient, to be repeated. every 3-5 days.
In any case, 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 muds as a cosmetic / medical treatment are the following:

• Acute arthropathies;
• Epilepsy;
• Pregnancy;
• Menses;
• Hemorrhagic ulcers.