See below the “recipe” for dilute bleach baths. Dilute bleach baths are a type of therapeutic bath used primarily in dermatology for treating certain skin conditions, most notably eczema (atopic dermatitis). But in my experience, I’ve found them helpful for general skin health. Bleach baths can be drying, so they shouldn’t be done more than once or twice a week.
WHAT YOU NEED
- *Plain bleach for home use, 1/4 to 1/2 cup
- Measuring cups
- Warm water
- A bathtub
DIRECTIONS:
- Draw a half or full bath of warm water
- Measure 1/4 cup bleach for a half bath or 1/2 up bleach for a full bath.
- Pour the bleach into the warm water and mix well
- Soak for 10-15 minutes
- Rinse (if desired, this is optional) and pat dry
- Apply a cream or lotion to moisturize
Note: this can be adapted to a smaller volume for dilute bleach soaks by using one teaspoon of bleach per three gallons of water.
*Use ONLY plain bleach. Not “splash free” or color safe, or fragrances, or bleach that has any other additives. Clorox bleach technically has “CloroMax” technology, which would not be in line with this rule (nobody knows what it is), however I personally have used it with acceptable results in this fashion. Proceed with at your own risk.
Do 1-2 times a week for best results. Discontinue or reduce frequency if you find your skin becoming dry.
Use gloves when handling bleach. Don’t wear nice clothes, and measure carefully!
Med-Derm, MD 