Salonpas Review: Don’t Buy Before You Read This!

Expert rating: stars-icon     By Natalie K (Senior Reviewer) November 14, 2023       Advertising Disclosure

User Rating:

34%

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 What is it?

Salonpas is a company that manufactures pain-relieving products, most notably their line of topical patches. Their patches come in a variety of styles for different needs and they also make Quick Relief sprays and gels. Salonpas products are applied directly to the afflicted area where their pain relieving medications are absorbed through the skin.

Our panel of experts has compiled a list of the top brands of joint health supplements and they’ve determined that Flexitrinol is the most effective for long term mobility and ease of movement. Flexitrinol doesn’t just address the symptoms of joint pain, it naturally stimulates better joint functionality overall. Click here to learn more about how Flexitrinol contributes to healthier bones, ligaments, and joint tissue.

Salonpas Ingredients and Side Effects
Menthol Methyl Salicylate

 Menthol: Menthol is an organic compound that is derived from peppermint or other mint oils, or it can be manufactured in a laboratory environment. It is often used as a localized pain reliever or anti-irritant. Menthol is generally safe for human use, although it has been connected to some mild side effects, especially when used topically. Potential side effects of menthol creams, patches, and sprays may include:

  • Skin irritation.
  • Other allergic symptoms.

Methyl Salicylate: Known more commonly as wintergreen oil, it is both manufactured synthetically and is derived naturally from wintergreen plants. Methyl salicylate is often used as a fragrance or food additive, however it also has been known to stimulate blood flow and relieve pain when applied topically. In its pure form methyl salicylate is poisonous to humans and has contributed to a number of deaths in the past, mostly due to over application. Children and pregnant or nursing women should not use products containing methyl salicylate. Other potential side effects may include:

  • Skin irritation or burning sensation.
  • Gastro-intestinal distress such as nausea, vomiting, and cramping.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Ringing in the ears.

Salonpas’ website lists these as the only two active ingredients in their patches. It is possible that there are other ingredients that they do not list, and there is no dosage information made available publically.

Click here to see our panel of expert’s list of the best over the counter joint health supplements on the market.

Salonpas Quality of Ingredients

There is nothing wrong with Salonpas’ ingredients assuming that all you are looking for is temporary pain relief. Salonpas is an analgesic, so it does not affect the muscles, joints, or bones in any kind of medical way; it only affects the body’s ability to perceive that pain.

Anti-inflammatory painkillers do more to get at the root of what is causing the pain, but ideally a joint health supplement is going to address the underling issues such as collagen and elastin production and overall cartilage health.

Menthol and methyl salicylate are most effective when there is an immediate need for pain relief due to damaged soft tissue, such as in the case of muscle strains or bruising. It is rare that the active ingredients of a topical analgesic will even be able to penetrate to the deeper joint tissue itself, and the physical nature of the patch can make it cumbersome and uncomfortable when used on smaller joints like hands and wrists.

For long-term joint health look for supplements that include ingredients that work with the body’s natural processes to stimulate collagen and elastin production and improve general immune functionality. Some of the more popular and effective ingredients include:

  • Hyaluronic Acid.
  • Boswellia Serrata.

Compare brands to find products that don’t just mask joint pain but actually go to the source to help improve cartilage, synovial fluid, and ligament wellness.

To see a list of the best supplements for relieving joint pain, click here.

The Price and Quality of Salonpas

Salonpas does not distribute their products through their own website, but it is sold in terrestrial stores and there are a number of retailers online that ship them.

Users should beware: their products are quite expensive, especially for daily use. Customers can expect a range of prices similar to these:

  • 20 Regular size patches: $9.99-$11.99.
  • 20 Large size patches: $11.58-$16.99.
  • 1 Bottle pain relieving spray: $7.01-$7.99.
  • 1 Bottle Deep Relieving gel: $7.19-$9.99.

There are more cost efficient ways to relieve pain and smarter ways to prevent it. The amount of money one would have to spend in order to make Salonpas a daily joint pain remedy would be prohibitive for most customers, and our experts recommend against exposing oneself to that quantity of methyl salicylate.

Click here to see our experts’ list of the best joint health supplements for increased flexibility and range of motion.

Business of Salonpas

Salonpas is manufactured by Hisamitsu America, Inc. They are the makers of a number of different health and wellness brands and can be reached at:

Phone Number: (973) 765-0122

Address: 3510 Torrance Blvd Ste 301

Torrance, CA 90503

Email: Neither Salonpas nor Hisamitsu make an e-mail address available online, however there is a customer comment form on Salonpas’ website.

Hisamitsu is not accredited with the Better Business Bureau and a search online reveals that they have been involved in a number of legal disputes over the years. There were multiple lawsuits filed in 2024 and 2024 alleging copyright infringement and theft of intellectual property, however those suits were settled out of court and there do not seem to be any formal complaints or legal actions filed against Hisamitsu or Salonpas at this time.

Click here for our experts’ list of the most trustworthy joint health supplement brands.

Customer Opinions of Salonpas

Online there are quite a few favorable reviews from customers using the patch to relieve muscle pain. There are also a number of unfavorable reviews from individuals that were looking to address chronic joint pain. Those reviews were similar to these:

“Didn’t relieve my joint pain. I wouldn’t recommend it.”

“Tried the patches and the spray and neither one makes my knees feel better.”

“This stuff costs too much and I need help every day. I’m still looking for solutions, but this isn’t it.”

The consensus from the online community seems to be that the patches work just fine for some short-term pain issues but that they are not a viable long-term solution to any serious joint, muscle, or bone issues.

For a list of the safest and most effective joint health supplements, click here.

How Does Salonpas Compare?
  • Product Name
  • User Rating
  • Good Company Reputation
  • Quality Ingredients
  • Money Back Guarantee
  • Salonpas
  • 34/100
Conclusion – Does Salonpas Work?

Whether or not Salonpas will work for you largely depends on what you’re using it for. If all you need is relief from a minor strain or sports injury, Salonpas seems like it may be an effective option. For all other applications, such as healing wounds, curing ailments, or improving overall joint health, our panel of experts suggests finding a different product.

For long-term joint health our experts recommend Flexitrinol. They have complied a list of the top joint health nutritional supplements currently available on the market and Flexitrinol scored the highest overall. Click here to see their complete results and to learn more about what makes Flexitrinol so effective.

8 Responses to Salonpas Review

Cynthia says:

It does NOT work. IF you use the patch and you have sensitive skin you WILL get a chemical burn. 4 people including myself have been burned by this patch and SalonPas does not seem to care. Ive been given the run around for MONTHS. They even hired an attorney to talk for them and finally offered me a settlement of 500 dollars AFTER I was persistant in demanding compensation. This company is FAKE.. they do NOT make this product in AMERICA they only have NOVEN as a place to distribute it..THIS COMPANY is based in JAPAN where they do not have to follow ALL rules in what they put on their labels….DO NOT BUY

Gina says:

I bought 2 patches today for neck & back pain and within 20 minutes of applying them my neck & back started to burn like a blistering feeling so I had my husband remove them & I have 2 square chemical burns. The packaging does not have a warning label about this. I’m waiting to see if I will have blistering, if so I’m seeking medical attention. Great way to spend Christmas eve. Thank you.

Sharon gray says:

I used the product it burn my skin off. Had to go to urget care to be help.

Pauline Lovell says:

I put a Salonpas patch on my left shoulder JULY 06, at about 11:30 or 11:45p.m. Early the next morning my shoulder was hurting so I took the patch off. There was a big blister with a lot of redness around it. I was shocked. I have used the patches before with no problem. A few days later, I knew I better go to Urgent Care. The area was very red, with pus, etc. I had a skin ulceration and skin infection. I was put on antibiotics and ointment. It didn’t get better and I finally went to another E.R. I wound up later having to go to my physician where I had to have a collagen patch on it. It is August 02, and the area is still not healed completely and is red and I have a feeling it is perhaps going to be red and scarred. This is NOT a safe product! I have yet to see any kind of warnings on the package or T. V. All I see on T. V. are people saying how safe it is. I called the manufacturer but doubt they will do anything. I don’t believe they care. I have actually considered litigation!

Anonymous says:

Use the small patches one time broke out in blisters and very irritated skin Third Day still sensitive cannot use anything on this. Will never use this product or recommend it to anyone it should be taken off the market.

Gloria Anne Greenup says:

Salonpas patch left a 2nd degree burn on my arm! I’ll never use or recommend them again!

Jacque Halbersma says:

I purchased a box of 140. They were made in 12/20. Lot number WCo4T. They are much different than the usual ones I get. Smaller, stick together and make my skin break out. Very unhappy with them. I think I deserve a different box of them.

John Sutmire says:

Great product for shingles pain!! Easy to use and works!! Have used them for over a year, no problem with skin burn! Thanks

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