Skin Benefits from Sauna Bathing

One of the first things that you’ll notice after a short time in your sauna is the beads of sweat that form on your skin. Obviously the longer your sauna session, the more you sweat.

Sweating not only helps regulate your body’s temperature, but it’s a great way to cleanse pores and improve skin’s appearance.

According to a 2019 article medically reviewed by Shilpa Amin, M.D., CAQ, FAAFP: “Sweating helps the skin remove heavy metals, with chemical elimination including BPA’s (bisphenol A), and PBA’s (polychlorinated biphenyls) and with bacterial cleansing.”

Too many stagnant toxins within the body and you can have long-term problems.

Bacteria, clogged pores, and blocked sweat glands contribute to acne growth on the face and body. This can also leave unsightly scars and other blemishes if not taken care of.

When the body is detoxing by sweating in a sauna, you can be assured that acne and acne-related issues are reduced.

It’s important to remember to shower or towel off after a shower session.  According to Marina Peredo, M.D., of Skinfluence NYC: “Sweating releases a high amount of salt, which needs to be washed away immediately after sweating…the combination of salt, sebum, and bacteria contributes to breakouts.”

Overall, regular sauna sessions can help improve skin so that it’s cleaner and free of acne. Ultimately, it can help prevent future acne breakouts.

Your blood flow has a lot to do with achieving healthier skin.

The heat from infrared therapy causes the blood vessels in the body to dilate. The dilated blood vessels promote increased circulation within the body, expediting the process of skin healing.

According to Harvard Health Publishing, “The pulse rate jumps by 30% or more, allowing the heart to nearly double the amount of blood it pumps each minute. Most of the extra blood flow is directed to the skin.”

If you have skin trauma including cuts, bruises, and scarring, the increased blood flow also helps to heal those areas more quickly and efficiently.

However, always check with a medical professional before enjoying your sauna, especially if you have high blood pressure or heart disease.

Collagen production has been a huge focus in wellness and beauty routines in the past few years. Collagen is made up of amino acids and is one of the most plentiful proteins in the human body. It’s basically the building block that makes our skin look nice and healthy.

As we age, the production of collagen decreases.

The good news? Sauna bathing, particularly red light or near-infrared, helps promote collagen growth, which improves the skin’s elasticity and health.

According to a 2006 study published by Yonsei Medical Journal, infrared therapy has been proven to support collagen production:

“The content of collagen and elastin produced by the fibroblasts increased after infrared radiation and this increase was proportional to the duration of irradiation exposure. Following 6 months of treatment, all patients reported good (51-75%) improvements in skin texture and roughness.”

What does sleep have to do with the skin? More than we realize. Sleep directly impacts the way your skin will look and feel, which is one reason why we want to get plenty of it. After a poor night’s sleep, we not only feel groggy, but our skin can be saggier, puffier, and paler.

Infrared saunas promote a calm environment and can help you get to sleep faster and sleep more soundly. This in turn helps balance hormones in the body. Balanced hormones mean a better complexion and overall appearance.

Although studies continue in regard to a sauna’s effect on the skin, we know that sleep is a key element in helping reduce wrinkles, promoting collagen production, and improving mood, all of which influence how we look and feel.

When it comes to your skin as a whole, taking care of it starts from the inside out. Regular sauna use can be a positive addition to your skincare routine for a multitude of reasons.

Although saunas provide many benefits, infrared therapy should not be seen as a substitute for certain skincare routines or conditions, but rather as a supplement. It’s important to discuss sauna use with a doctor before taking part in sessions.

Health Mate Saunas are an excellent investment for your health. Our quality control is the best in the industry, and our wood saunas are all antimicrobial, and made from a sustainable and renewable resource.

Contact us today to learn how you a sauna can improve your skin, your health, and your life.