Hello.
In the previous column, I shared the relaxing effects of hydrogen baths and the physical and mental changes many people notice after bathing. This time, I would like to revisit a question I am often asked: “How does hydrogen actually reach the body?” I will explain this in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

Hydrogen is the smallest molecule found in nature. This “smallness” is one of hydrogen’s most distinctive characteristics. Whether hydrogen is taken in through inhalation, drinking hydrogen-rich water, or absorption through the skin—as in a hydrogen bath—it is thought to spread through the body in a short period of time and travel through the bloodstream to cells throughout the body. In particular, inhalation is considered an efficient method, as hydrogen absorbed through the lungs is known to reach the bloodstream within minutes and be carried to even the smallest areas of the body.

What has attracted attention is hydrogen’s selective interaction. It is said to gently neutralize only harmful reactive oxygen species—such as hydroxyl radicals, which are associated with aging and inflammation—while leaving oxygen and beneficial reactive oxygen species unaffected. As a result, the cellular environment may become more balanced, supporting circulation and leading to sensations such as reduced fatigue and improved skin firmness.

Another important point is that once hydrogen enters the body, it is metabolized and eliminated relatively quickly. For this reason, taking in small amounts on a daily basis is considered ideal. Rather than relying on a single method, continuing intake in ways that suit one’s lifestyle—such as inhalation, drinking hydrogen water, or absorbing hydrogen through the skin in a hydrogen bath—is key.

At my salon, clients who incorporate hydrogen into their daily routines often share comments such as, “I don’t get tired as easily,” “My skin looks clearer,” or “I wake up feeling lighter in the morning.” These experiences may be signs that hydrogen’s mechanisms are working gently and that the body is beginning to regain balance.

At this time, we are offering opportunities to experience hydrogen firsthand. I encourage you to take this opportunity to explore, through your own senses, how hydrogen may reach and be felt within the body.