Awash in possibility

The National Academy of Medicine of France's journal says: "The physic-chemical characteristics of water lend to thermal spa use in dermatology ... for all forms of dermatitis and skin-mucosal allergies, and scar sequelae following burns, accidents or due to other causes."

Crenotherapy using Saint-Gevars-les-Bains' thermal water is said to be helpful for major burns, influencing not only scar sequelae but also such residual problems as pruritus and hyperaesthesia. Saint-Gervais-les-Bains reopened on Sept 29, after two years of renovation.

Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc's new foundation assisting burn patients in China was established, and actor Yu Haoming was named the brand's charity ambassador at the reopening ceremony. Yu, who experienced extensive burns when shooting a TV series in 2010, says he felt a change in his skin after a three-day treatment in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains.

"I want to help burn patients with my own experience through this foundation," Yu says. "It's a long recovery process, both physically and mentally. I found some new recovery concepts at Saint-Gervaisles-Bains, and I want to bring these experiences back to China."

He also hopes to create a more equal and open environment for burn patients to restore self-confidence. The foundation will pay for some Chinese burn patients to undergo treatments at Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, RETAIL says.

"There are around 26 million burn patients in China," he says.

"So, the second mission of the foundation is to do preventive education ... so that people are aware of the risk of burns." It'll also donate products to hospitals and medical institutions in the country.