To answer this question scientifically, all the influences must be discussed. Basically, all ionic footbaths are based on electrolysis of water. In this process there are five influences to note: power level, water type, metal plate alloy content, salt type/additives, and the epidermis of the foot. Here we will discuss some of them:



Power level:

Voltage is a very important part of the issue. Firstly, we need to know that according to The Bohr Model of atomic physics, at least 13.6 Volts needs to be applied to the water to allow for electron jump in the hydrogen atom (released negative ions). Also, it is important to maintain a voltage way above this minimum to create a level of ionization that allows for saturation to occur. Low power levels can produce ionization, but these released ions will recombine as fast as they are produced. Creation of them faster than they recombine is essential; you need a regulating and adjustable source of power. Conversely, providing too much power to the bath can create a tunneling effect in which the flow overcomes the amount of alloy plate surface available and the overall electrolysis effect lowers.

Water:

Most all water that comes from a public tap has its own impurities which due to the electrolysis are separated or recombined from their original state of soluble suspension in the water. Common tap water can contain varying amounts of suspended solids such as sodium, lead, calcium, magnesium, manganese, nickel, chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, barium, boron, cadmium, chromium, copper, fluorine, iron, mercury, sulphates, and organic debris. These impurities are found in very small and safe amounts in tap water. In the presence of electrolysis, these impurities clump together to such a size as to be visible. Highly filtered waters such as reverse osmosis, distilled, and drinking often produce much less color and seem to have lower visual activity. They are also not very conductive for the electrical process and require more salt. These types of water actually are not the best choice to produce the ionization for the most efficient session.

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Sea salts/ additives:

Sea salt is an integral part of the process. First, it allows for control of the conductivity of the water, more salt, more current; the user can control the electrolysis rate with the salt level in the bath. Secondly, its structure allows for the saturation of the bath with ionization. Without the salt, the bath will produce electrolysis but will often not saturate with ionization. Some foot bath manufacturers provide salts with minerals added or salts naturally having lots of minerals, this creates many very amazing looking colors above and beyond the colors that naturally occur. This addition of minerals makes the bath very conductive; unfortunately this means very little sea salt is added. With less sea salt there are fewer salt crystals structures in the bath, this can affect overall ionization adversely. Always use a water type and ?non-additive? sea salt combination that allows the highest production and retention of ions in the bath. Having to add too much salt to a bath to gain the electrolysis process (low power units) can wear out the array plates/rings much too quickly.

This overview is a very basic attempt to explain complex, chemical and atomic level reactions that occur in an . If you are more curious, here is a link and there is a wealth of information out on the internet and at your local library about these processes.