People Are Raving About The “Life Changing” Benefits Of Salt Therapy - Here’s Why

It’s reportedly beneficial for healthier skin and overall wellness.

As a cookbook author, there’s nothing more disappointing than unseasoned food. Salt is, perhaps, the single most important ingredient of any dish, no matter the culture, taste, or preparation  method.

Beyond its role as a mealtime essential, salt—particularly the pink Himalayan variety—may also play a key role in reducing the symptoms of many popular respiratory and skin conditions. And while most studies of salt therapy, otherwise known as halotherapy, have proven to be flawed or inconclusive, many spa-goers rave about its alleged health benefits, especially when inhaled as part of a treatment or salt-lined room. 

Carlos Lamarche and Jason Lundy, founders of SALT LIVE ENERGIZED, are among the group of people who tout salt’s efficacy. In fact, they’re so convinced about its healing properties that they set up a treatment pop-up in Manhattan to cater to pollutant-breathing New Yorkers. 

Though the center is currently closed, that doesn’t take away from the duo’s continued enthusiasm, so we chatted with Lundy to get the complete rundown on salt therapy in general and why it should become an essential part of one’s self-care routine. 

What Is Salt Therapy?

As defined by Lundy, “salt air therapy is a holistic, drug-free, natural therapy. Dry particles of pharmaceutical-grade salt as small as one micrometer (a.k.a. “micron”) are released in a low-humidity environment. Chemists call this ‘a colloidal suspension of salt particles dispersed in air.’” 

“To give you perspective, the particles are smaller than the red blood cells coursing through your veins,” he adds. “Salt therapy promotes better breathing, sounder sleep, improved physical fitness and endurance, healthier skin, and overall wellness. Salt therapy also helps alleviate symptoms of many respiratory and skin conditions.”

How Does Salt Therapy Work?

According to Lundy, the aforementioned salt particles are ground by a professional-grade halogenerator (halo is a Greek prefix meaning “salt”). “It’s then propelled into our relaxing Himalayan salt room,” he says. “Clients breathe the salt air deep into the lungs. The naturally antibacterial salt air widens the airways, loosens clinging mucus, and reduces inflammation caused by urban air pollutants, pollens, and other irritants to our respiratory system.” 

As a result, “breathing becomes not just easier, but more fulfilling. Non-inhaled particles land on exposed skin, helping with skin hydration, balancing pH, and inducing reparative and regenerative processes in the skin such as stimulating cell growth and microcirculation.”

What Are Salt Therapy Options Beyond Treatment Rooms?

While it may be your instinct to invest in a Himalayan salt lamp, there isn’t much evidence to back up claims that their negative ions remove dust and pollution from the air. 

“The salt would have to be heated to a high temperature,” says Lundy. Instead, salt scrubs, salt baths and nasal rinses are seemingly effective treatments to enjoy salt’s benefits from the comfort of your own home or a local spa. 

For the former, Lundy reveals that “many of the 80-plus minerals in Himalayan salt are minerals the body needs. Your skin is capable of absorbing minerals it needs during Himalayan salt baths and body scrubs which helps make up for any mineral deficiencies you might have.”

“Using salt water rinses for the throat and nasal cavities is [also] very effective. It's cleansing,” he adds.  “But nothing benefits the lungs like the dry salt air in our treatment center.”

Will You Notice the Effects of Salt Therapy Right Away? 

Though Lundy alleges that consistent treatments will yield better results, he stands by his commitment to have “every client leave feeling and knowing that [they’ve] made a difference for them.” 

“95 percent of our clients say they feel more open and are breathing better immediately when they leave our treatment center,” he says. “Our regulars say we’ve changed their lives.” 

Final Thoughts on Salt Therapy

Whether you’re hoping for a quick fix or are interested in more long-term solutions, salt therapy may be an ideal option to enhance the quality of your skin and breathing. More science will be necessary to determine if and what the exact impact maybe, but there seems to be virtually zero risks with sitting in a Himalayan salt room and relaxing. 

And even if signs of improvement are the result of a placebo effect, any chance to unwind and remove yourself from the hustle and bustle of everyday life will always be worth your time and money.