The hot spring of Unzen is characterized by its sulfurous hot water with high acidity (pH: 2.0 - 2.2), which is uniquely high comparing to hot springs in Europe where the hot spring treatment is actively performed. The temperature of the hot spring of Unzen is as hot as around 90 C (194 F). Unzen's hot spring is known by its component of hot water such as "acid hydrogen sulfide spring", "aluminiferous spring including hydrogen sulfide" or "ferrous sulfate spring" but it is generally called "sulfurous hot spring".
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The hot spring of Unzen is highly effective in sterilization because of its acidity. It takes effect against skin diseases in general such as eczema, chilblain, incisures, and other skin related problems. It is also noted that the Unzen hot spring is effective to facial treatment as well as effective against chronic rheumatism, diabetes, neuralgic pain, muscle pain, joint pain, and fatigue with health-promoting benefits.
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| 1) | Before taking the hot spring bath, please drink a lot of water in order to promote perspiration. Firstly, before go into the bathtub, you should adjust your body gradually to the hot spring. So, pour the hot spring water on your body starting from the farthest parts such as toes and fingertips toward the heart. This step dilates the blood vessels of the surface of your body, which is necessary for you to prevent getting dizziness later on.
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| 2) | In the bathtub, soak up to your shoulders so that you can ingest ingredients of the hot spring to your body. For example, the sulfate ion in the spring has bactericide effects; the dilated blood vessels induced by the hot spring have preventive effects against arterial sclerosis, and also ease joint or tendinous pains. The sulfurous ingredients take preventive effects against diabetes, promote pancreatic functions, and induce thermal sweating; provided, however, it is recommendable that a hypertensive person should take a half-immersed bath soaking your body up to your navel.
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| 3) | Please be noted that taking a long bath in hot water causes sudden rise of blood pressures and rapid heartbeats, and places undue stress on your heart. Please take the warm water bathing at the temperature of about 40 C (104 F) until you sweat lightly on your forehead. And then get out of the bathtub for a while to take a rest.
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| 4) | As the medical effects of the hot spring water last approximately for three hours, it is recommendable not to rinse your body after taking the bath. For people with sensitive skins, however, it is recommended to rinse the body immediately after the bath with fresh water because of the sulfurous and acidic quality of the hot spring.
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| 5) | After taking the bath, your body gets tired even though you feel refreshed. It requires two to three hours until the blood pressure will be stabilized, therefore take some rest at least for 30 minutes. Be careful not to cool off your body completely, or you get cold. Don't forget to drink plenty of water again to avoid dehydration because you perspired a lot during taking the bath.
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| 6) | Having the "three times a day" as a rough standard of bathing, enjoy taking the hot spring bath while paying good attention to your physical strength and conditions. |
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