Benefits and Risks: Are Saunas Good for Your Skin?

When you step into a sauna, it’s more than just a moment of relaxation, but a wellness ritual. A sauna has various benefits, including relaxation for the muscles and improvement of your skin condition. This article will thoroughly explore the benefits of saunas for skin and the potential disadvantages. You will learn how saunas can be a part of your daily skin care routine and how to take care of your skin health in three different sessions (pre-sauna, in-sauna, and post-sauna).

Benefits of the Sauna for Skin

If you’ve noticed that your skin feels clean and smooth after leaving the sauna, you're experiencing one of the main benefits of the sauna for skin. Here are the details:

• 1. Acne gets better

Conditions on the face like acne and psoriasis, have been shown to improve in saunas. The hot temperature activates your skin to breathe, which helps ease itching and swelling. If you’re using an infrared sauna, its benefits for skin include low-level light therapy and acne treatments, which relieves itchy, sore, and dry skin. It can also redden your skin and help control the symptoms of skin disease.

• 2. Skin detoxification

Sweating is a natural way to detoxify the body. Sweating while sitting in a sauna has a detoxifying effect, clearing nickel, lead, copper, arsenic, and mercury out of your body. This will make your skin look cleaner and brighter. In addition, regular sauna sessions can make your skin less prone to acne and blackheads.

• 3. Make skin look healthier and more radiant

During the sauna session, your skin will get more oxygen and nutrients when your blood flow becomes faster. A boosted blood flow can make your skin look better and give it a natural, healthy glow.

• 4. Accelerated cell regeneration and collagen remodeling

Regular sauna use can help skin cells grow back and heal more quickly. For instance, the red light therapy (RLT) lamp in a sauna can help the body generate more collagen and elastin, which slows down the aging of your skin.

Sauna Risks for Skin

Although saunas are good in many ways, they are not perfect. You should also be aware of the following risks:

• 1. Risk of dehydration

The heat from a sauna can dry out or peel off skin by taking away its wetness. If you don't drink enough water, your face might feel dry or irritated after the session.

• 2. Increased sensitivity

If you have sensitive or rosacea skin, saunas may trigger swelling or inflammation due to the heat.

• 3. Aggravate certain skin conditions

Many skin diseases, like eczema, might not respond well to the heat and sweating in a sauna. If you have a pre-existing skin syndrome, it's best to consult your dermatologist before using a sauna on a regular basis.

Skin Care Tips for Sauna Use

• 1. Choosing the right sauna

Not all saunas are created equal. For example, infrared saunas operate at a lower temperature than traditional steam saunas, so they are gentler on people with sensitive skin. EROMMY’s saunas come with LED Chromotherapy lighting, which provides various benefits for the skin, such as targeted light therapy. Different colors of light correspond to different wavelengths, and each light has its own specific physiological role in phototherapy:

White light: typically used to enhance energy and overall light effect, also used as general lighting.

Purple light: with a higher frequency, it is often used to reduce stress, relieve anxiety, promote relaxation, and is even used to improve skin problems (e.g., acne).

Blue light: with its high penetrating power, blue light is commonly used to relieve muscle and joint discomfort, improve skin conditions and help reduce inflammation. It is also used to treat mood and sleep problems.

Cyan light: helps to calm moods and relieve anxiety, creates a relaxing atmosphere and helps to improve psychological stress.

Green light: commonly used to balance moods, reduce stress and for some soothing treatments.

Yellow light: usually used to ease digestive problems, elevate mood, bring warmth and may be helpful for skin improvement.

Red light: with longer wavelength and better penetrating power, red light is used to increase blood circulation, promote cell vitality, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and relieve pain.

• 2. Sufficient moisturizing

Before and after going to the sauna, make sure to moisturize your skin to keep it from getting dry. It's also important to drink water while you're in the sauna to keep your whole body refreshed. After the sauna, remember to use your preferred creams and lotions to moisturize and promote skin hydration for a healthy glow.

Conclusion

Saunas offer a natural way to achieve healthier, more radiant skin, but it’s essential to use them thoughtfully. By paying attention to your skin’s unique needs, staying hydrated, and following proper sauna guidelines, you can enjoy the revitalizing effects while minimizing any potential downsides. Remember, consulting with a dermatologist is always wise if you have existing skin conditions or concerns.