While there’s little scientific evidence to indicate that you can pull toxins out of the body through the feet, using detox baths, soaks, and other detox products can still benefit you in other ways.
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What Is A Foot Detox?
Detox diets, detox drinks, detox creams…there’s no shortage of detox products online and in shops. These products claim to help flush toxins, such as heavy metals, from your body, complementing the natural function of our kidneys and liver.
Foot detoxes claim to do the same thing. They use ions, herbs, salts, and other substances to remove toxins via the feet.
Most foot detoxes involve soaking your feet in a bath containing ionized water, epsom salt, or herbs. There are also foot detox patches and pads that you can stick onto your feet.
You can buy a foot detox bath for use at home, or make a DIY foot detox using common kitchen products. Many spas and salons also offer foot detox, which may also include other treatments like a foot scrub and massage.
Does Foot Detox Work?
So far, we do not have strong scientific evidence that any of these detoxes work as advertised. We only have anecdotal reports of people saying they feel a lot better after using a foot detox.
Is it because it cleanses their body? That’s a possibility. But it’s more likely that they are experiencing other positive effects from the foot detox.
Types of Foot Detoxes
1. Ionic Foot Bath
An ionic foot bath is the most common kind of foot detox treatment. You can get a complete ionic spa kit online, at a local retailer, or from a beauty or wellness store.
An ionic foot bath uses an ionizer to generate a mild electrical current in water, usually with salt added to it. The current creates ions in the water, which are said to attract toxins in the body and pull them out.
However, there’s no evidence that ionised water can detox the body through the feet.
You may have come across videos or images of the water in an ionic foot bath changing colour, which could indicate toxins being pulled out of the body.
The colour of the water might change, but it’s not because of toxins. The electrical current in water causes a reaction between ions and impurities in the water, causing it to change colour.
Dirt, sweat, and oils from your feet can also make the water appear darker.
That doesn’t mean an ionic foot spa is entirely pointless. Getting a foot bath, whether it’s ionic or not, can reduce pain and soreness and make you feel more relaxed.
Here’s a video that explains the science, or lack thereof, behind detox foot baths.
2. Herbal Foot Soak
Herbal foot soaks are another popular way to detox. As with ionic baths, there’s no evidence that herbs can pull toxins out of your body.
That said, a herbal foot soak is great for your feet in other ways. It can help with dry and cracked skin, it feels refreshing when your feet are sore, and the warm water boosts blood flow.
You can mix different kinds of herbs in warm water to create a relaxing herbal soak. Popular herbs include rose, lavender, rosemary, ginger, and chamomile. The warm water makes it easier for herbs to release their oils and fragrance into the water.
Avoid using any herbs you are allergic to and do not soak your feet for more than 30 minutes to avoid wrinkly skin.
Tip: You can add essential oils like tea tree, lavender, or peppermint to the bath to make it more potent. Essentials oils are great for moisturising the skin, treating fungal infections, and helping you relax.
3. Epsom Salt Foot Soak
While an epsom salt soak may not detox your feet, it has plenty of other proven benefits. An epsom salt foot bath, combined with essential oils, helps treat fungal infections on the feet or toenails.
It’s also great for pain relief, softens dry skin, exfoliates your skin, and can reduce swelling.
To make an epsom foot soak, add a half cup of epsom salt to a basin of warm water. Soak your feet for 30 minutes. Feel free to add a few drops of your favourite essential oils.
4. Foot Detox Pad and Foot Masks
Foot detox pads and masks contain ingredients like charcoal, herbs, and oils that supposedly pull toxins out of your body. You stick the pads on your feet and leave them overnight.
As with all other kinds of foot detoxes, there are likely no toxins being pulled out of your body. But foot pads can leave your feet feeling softer and smoother.
Foot masks are especially good for treating dry, cracked, and callused skin. They contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid that exfoliate dead skin cells and calluses, reduce or eliminate cracks, and moisturise the skin.
Final Thoughts
As long as you take the right precautions (no open wounds, avoid allergic substances, and do not soak for too long), most foot detox treatments are harmless. Don’t expect a soak or mask to flush any toxins out of your body, but it can still feel great for your feet, body, and mind.
