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| A mud bath is a tub of volcanic ash or mineral-infused clay mixed with warm spring water to create a soothing, reparative spa experience. The 100-degree mixture draws toxins out through pores in the skin. There are only a few true mud baths in the United States because access to volcanic ash and an abundant hot spring are required. The most widely known is Calistoga, California.. |
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| Typical costs: |
- Fees at Calistoga spas range from $65 -$90 per person for a typical 60- to 90-minute bath.
- Rates are least expensive during the middle of the week and higher on the weekend.
- If you can't get to Calistoga, many spas offer body wraps using mineral-rich mud to detoxify the skin. Sessions are $80 -$150 for 45 minutes and $100 -$200 for 60 minutes.
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| What should be included: |
- Bathers are submerged to the neck in the bubbly brew, creating a weightlessness feeling. Mud spas typically include a hot blanket wrap afterward and access to a whirlpool or steam room. Some also include a clay or herbal facemask.
- Discounts:
- For a mud experience at a fraction of the cost, the Indian Springs resort in Idaho Springs, Colo., sells kelp-infused mud for $10 that customers can place directly on their bodies as they sit in geothermal baths. Cost is $18 -$23 per person.
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| Additional costs: |
- Many Calistoga spas offer massage for an additional charge as part of a package deal. A mud bath plus 30-minute therapeutic massage ranges from $110 -$130.
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| Shopping for mud baths: |
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures. |
Article updated October 2007 |