SAUNA BENEFITS SKIN HEALTH:

IS SWEATING GOOD FOR YOUR SKIN

Our skin is the largest organ in our body. It absorbs many unwanted elements, from dust and grime to bacteria and chemicals. As resilient as it is to daily rigors, it deserves some love and care now and then. 

Most people rely on skin products and cosmetic procedures to enhance skin health, but an ancient therapeutic procedure enriches and purifies the skin from the inside out. 

What is it? A traditional sauna is one of the finest ways to ensure long-term skin health. Saunas have long been linked with health benefits, such as skin restoration.

Is sweating in a sauna as beneficial to your skin as they claim? Let's break down the specifics of how a sauna benefits skin health. 

What Does a Sauna Do for Your Skin?

Let's answer the main question before we delve into its specific benefits. Is sauna good for your skin? 

The answer is a resounding yes! It's not just us who are saying this. 

A study on healthy participants aged 20 to 49 investigated the effects of regular sauna use. The experimental group participated in twice-a-week 15-minute sauna sessions at 176°F. The control group didn't engage in sauna usage. After some time, researchers evaluated the effects of sauna exposure on the skin. 

They assessed parameters such as:

• Skin redness

• Transepidermal water loss

• Skin physiology

• Stratum corneum water-holding capacity

• Surface skin pH

  
  

The study yielded interesting results. The experimental sauna group experienced favorable skin benefits compared to the control group. Aside from increased cardiovascular activity and circulation, the researchers discovered the following skin-related findings:

• The skin of the participants was less oily than before 

• The skin had a healthy pH level

• The skin was better able to retain moisture

  
  

The question is, how exactly does the heat in a sauna contribute to better skin health? Let's find out.

Sauna Opens Up Your Pores

According to recent studies, time spent in a sauna is similar to moderate exercise. Your blood pressure rises as if you were exercising and burning calories. What else do saunas and workouts have in common? Sweating! 

Sweating profusely in a sauna is beneficial for two reasons:

1. Because you're growing hotter, your pores open to cool your body down. Pore dilation is similar to exercise for your pores.

2. As the pores open due to sweating, your skin flushes out all the dirt and toxins lying beneath the skin's surface. 

   
   

Getting rid of clogged pores is one of the first steps toward cleaner, healthier skin. 

Sauna Facilitates Blood Circulation

Have you noticed a rosier complexion after a sauna session? This is due to increased blood circulation. Sweating causes your body to circulate blood to your skin, delivering vital nutrients and minerals. This helps induce a rosy glow and brighter-looking skin after a sauna session. 

Sauna Aids in Toxin Removal

Let's take a moment to appreciate saunas for the excellent detox ritual they are. Daily lifestyles cause the buildup of filth, pollutants, and chemicals beneath the skin. Sweating in a sauna session helps eliminate these elements from the body. The result? Unclogged pores and clear skin. Toxin removal promotes skin repair and reduces the likelihood of acne, outbreaks, and other minor skin issues from recurring. 

Sauna Moisturizes your Skin

Our skin contains sebaceous glands, which keep the skin well-hydrated. These glands remain dormant most of the time. Sweating in a sauna activates the sebaceous glands to produce sebum. Sebum production lubricates the skin, keeping it supple, smooth, and fresh. It also creates a natural glow unrivaled by any makeup or cosmetic products.

Sauna Promotes Younger-looking Skin

The secret to younger-looking skin is a healthy dose of collagen in the body. Collagen energizes skin tissues, keeping them firm and supple. Collagen production declines with age, but regular sauna use can boost the production of this anti-aging protein. Besides removing dead skin cells, sauna heat also stimulates the production of new cells. 

It also:

• Improves your skin's elasticity

• Reduces fine wrinkles

• Keeps it looking young and fresh

Is Sauna Bad for Your Skin: Possible Side-Effects

There is compelling literature to attest to the positive effects of sauna on the skin. What about side effects? A sauna is not harmful to your skin but can cause side effects depending on skin sensitivity and improper sauna procedures.

Can "Over-dry" Skin

Sauna heat triggers healthy perspiration, which benefits the skin in many ways, but spending too much time in the sauna can do more harm than good. Excessive heat can dehydrate your skin. Remember, moderation is key.

Sweat is high in salt content and bacteria. Allowing it to linger on your skin for long can be harmful. Cleansing your skin after a 15-minute sauna session is the best way to avoid this. 

Not ideal for Sensitive Skin

Anyone with sensitive skin or medical skin conditions must consult their doctor before using a sauna. The steam and heat in a sauna can aggravate skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis. The high sodium content in perspiration can irritate sensitive skin. Pore dilation can also cause increased redness and irritation. 

Can Cause Skin Pigmentation

The heat in a sauna can send sensitive melanin cells into overdrive. Such increased stimulation often leads to inflammation and discoloration. That's why anyone with pigmentation disorders like melasma should avoid using saunas and steam rooms. 

The Best Routine for Sauna Skin Health

Saunas are good for the skin, but can't work in a vacuum. You can take steps to get the most out of your sauna experience. Follow this routine to reap the most skin benefits of a sauna.

Cleanse Your Face and Body

Cleaning your face and body before entering a sauna is a great way to ensure you have removed at least a superficial layer of dust, bacteria, and other pollutants from your skin. Once you start sweating in the sauna, your skin has a "clean slate," promoting quicker removal of toxins and congested pores.

Hydrate 

The heat in a sauna produces a lot of sweat. To be able to sweat freely, you must stay well hydrated. For the best benefits, drink plenty of water or other fluids like juices or light tea before and after a sauna session. 

Time Your Sauna Sessions 

The time and temperature of sauna sessions can impact the benefits you experience. You should spend no more than 10 to 15 minutes in a traditional sauna. After a 15-minute sauna session, engage in a cold plunge or a restorative shower. You can return to the sauna after a brief pause for another short session. We recommend two 15-minute sauna sessions each week at 175°F.

Switch to Cold Water After Post-Sauna Shower

After your post-sauna shower, expose your body to a few seconds of cold water. This allows your dilated pores to return to their normal size. When you return to the sauna for a second session, the sweating will cause them to reopen, eliminating the remaining oil, debris, and bacteria beneath the skin. Alternate between sauna sessions and cold plunges to retain the sauna's positive effects on your skin.

Moisturize After a Sauna Session (Very Important!)

Because of the humidity, your skin remains moisturized throughout your sauna session. If you don't moisturize your skin after a sauna, you risk losing moisture due to the dry air outside. A moisturizing cream or lotion is the only way to keep this moisture sealed. 

Additional Tips to Improve Sauna Benefits on Skin

Apply Essential Oils

Consider applying essential oils to your skin before going into the sauna. Invest in a hypoallergenic oil with a refreshing aroma to ensure skin health and a relaxing sauna session. If you have sensitive skin, essential oils can help hydrate and lock the moisture in your skin during sauna sessions. They are also known to relieve inflammation and calm sensitive skin, besides reducing redness and itching. 

Some popular essential oils to use in a sauna are:

• Sandalwood

• Pine

• Citrus

• Lavender

• Tea tree

• Bergamot

• Lemongrass

  
  

Use Face Masks

Following your sauna session, apply a hydrating face mask to seal in the moisture in your skin. Ensure you don't wear the mask while in the sauna, as it can keep the heat from penetrating your facial skin. 

Dry Brushing Before a Sauna

Dry brushing is an age-old ritual facilitating skin repair. It refers to gently brushing various portions of your body in circular, therapeutic motions with a soft, organic brush. 

This targeted brushing is beneficial because it helps:

• Drain the body's lymphatic system of accumulated waste

• Promote circulation and deliver essential nutrients to skin cells

• Remove dead cells and expose the skin to the heat of the sauna

  
  

Combine dry brushing with your sauna session for a thorough detox routine and improved skin health. 

FAQs About Sauna and Skin

Does Sauna Tan Skin?

Excessive heat exposure can cause skin tanning in a sauna. You risk hyperpigmentation, discoloration, and premature aging if you stay in a sauna for longer than necessary or expose yourself to higher (than recommended) temperatures. Sauna durations and temperatures must be closely adhered to. 

Does Sauna Dry Skin?

Saunas are known for producing sweat, which helps moisturize the skin. Saunas help cleanse pores and remove harmful waste from the skin. However, excessive sauna use can cause the skin to dry. Not moisturizing or hydrating your skin after a sauna session can also cause dryness.

Is Sauna Bad for Acne?

Sauna combats acne by removing chemical waste, oil, and grime beneath the skin. Regular sauna sessions will help clear your pores, reduce blemishes, and give you acne-free skin.

Key Takeaway: Does Sauna Improve Skin?

Sauna heat penetrates deep into the skin, triggering a regenerative process to keep your skin looking young. Saunas can enhance skin health by unclogging blocked pores, assisting lymphatic drainage, and increasing circulation. While saunas are recommended for skin health, one must follow proper pre and post-sauna procedures, specified durations, and safe temperatures for the best results.

If you're serious about improving your skin's health, saunas can be an excellent long-term investment. Now, you can enjoy the sauna experience in the privacy of your own home. Invest in a high-quality traditional sauna from a reliable retailer such as My Sauna World. My Sauna World offers a wide variety of saunas for your specific needs. Feel free to contact us today for more information. Our staff will gladly assist you in choosing a sauna that aligns with your requirements.