Salonpas traces its origins to Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical, a company founded in 1847 in the Kyushu region of Japan. Originally established as Komatsuya, the company specialized in traditional herbal medicines before expanding into modern pharmaceutical products. [1]

The development of Salonpas was based on Asahi Mankinko, a medicated poultice introduced in 1903, which became the prototype for adhesive therapeutic patches. Building upon this innovation, Hisamitsu introduced Salonpas in 1934, creating what the company describes as the world’s first topical pain relief patch. [2]

The brand began exporting internationally in 1937, expanded across Asia during the mid-20th century, and eventually entered North America, Europe, Latin America, and other global markets. Today, Salonpas products are distributed in more than 50 countries and territories.

Salonpas is built around the Japanese concept of “Te-A-Te”, which literally means “treatment by hand.” This traditional philosophy emphasizes caring for pain by applying treatment directly to the affected area. Hisamitsu incorporates this idea into what it calls its “patch treatment culture,” focusing on localized pain management through topical medication. [3]

Salonpas manufactures a broad range of external pain relief products, including:

• Medicated pain relief patches
• Hot and cold patches
• Pain relief gels
• Creams
• Sprays (including Air Salonpas)
• Roll-ons
• Liquids

Depending on the country and formulation, products may contain active ingredients such as:

• Menthol
• Methyl salicylate
• Camphor
• Glycol salicylate
• Lidocaine (in selected products)
• Other topical analgesic ingredients

These products are intended for temporary relief of muscle pain, backache, shoulder stiffness, arthritis pain, sprains, strains, bruises, and minor joint pain. [4]

Salonpas products use Transdermal Drug Delivery System (TDDS) technology, allowing active ingredients to penetrate through the skin directly to the site of pain. Unlike oral pain medications, topical analgesics are designed to deliver localized relief where they are applied. [5]

Salonpas has become one of the most recognized topical analgesic brands worldwide. According to Hisamitsu and company history, the brand has been recognized as the World’s No. 1 OTC topical analgesic patch brand by market research firm Euromonitor International for multiple consecutive years. [6]

A significant milestone occurred in 2008, when the Salonpas Pain Relief Patch became the first over-the-counter topical analgesic patch approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). [7]

Salonpas has been available in the Philippines for more than 70 years, making it one of the country’s most familiar pain relief brands. The product line includes medicated patches, gels, sprays, and other topical analgesics marketed for muscle and joint pain relief. [8]

Salonpas is owned and manufactured by Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc., headquartered in Japan. The company specializes in topical pharmaceuticals, transdermal drug delivery systems, and external analgesic products, with operations and distribution networks across Asia, North America, Europe, and other international markets. [9]

1. About Us｜Salonpas
2. FAQ | Salonpas®
3. Hisamitsu America Marks 90 Years of Pioneering Pain Relief with Salonpas® with Record Sales – Page blog – Salonpas®
4. FDA Verification Portal
5. FDA Verification Portal
6. Salonpas® Pain Relief Products | Salonpas® Pain Patches & Sprays
7. Sobre nosotros｜Salonpas
8. À propos de nous｜Salonpas
9. Chi siamo｜Salonpas
10. FAQs | Salonpas®
11. Salonpas® For Health Care Professionals