Can Infrared Saunas Help With Skin Conditions?

Infrared sauna use benefits your skin, but not always. If you have certain skin conditions, navigating through a jungle of information becomes a challenge. What do we really know about the impact of sauna on skin conditions? And how can you prevent yourself from getting heat rash (a skin condition in which small bumps form)?

This blog post weaves its way through a maze of interesting facts and research. Aiming to answer your questions and raise awareness for those who are cautious about sensitive skin.

How Infrared Saunas Promotes Skin Health

Infrared sauna rays deeply penetrate the skin, expediting detoxification processes. This profound action clears impurities and kick-starts an array of skin-enhancing mechanisms. 

Perhaps the most captivating aspect of infrared saunas is their ability to stimulate blood flow. 

Especially near-infrared (NIR) saunas are known for their skin health benefits:

• NIR light penetrates deep into the skin, stimulates cellular activities linked to collagen production and anti-inflammatory effects. 
• Regular, though mindful, use of NIR infrared technology can increase collagen levels. Collagen (the skin's structural protein) plays a pivotal role in maintaining elasticity and a youthful appearance. 
• The use of NIR also shows promise in reducing skin inflammation, potentially benefiting conditions like acne and dermatitis. 

It's important to maintain a balanced approach. Short, regular sessions of infrared sauna use are shown to be more effective in improving skin health than prolonged single exposures. Click here for a more detailed overview on the sauna benefits for skin health

Although scientific evidence suggests that exposure to an infrared sauna can have positive effects on your skin, this may be different if you have a skin condition.

Skin Disorders and Infrared Sauna Use

Hereby we've listed some common skin disorders and how infrared saunas may impact or interact with them.

Acne

Characterized by blocked skin follicles, acne leads to a buildup of oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells in your pores. It's prevalent among adolescents and young adults but can occur at any stage of life.

The heat of the infrared sauna causes sweating, which can help unclog pores by flushing out toxins and impurities. This might be beneficial for individuals with acne, as it could aid in the removal of excess oil and dead skin buildup. 

Infrared sauna use is known to increase blood flow. Boosted circulation may promote skin healing and provide essential nutrients to affected areas. However, for some individuals, increased blood flow could exacerbate inflammation associated with acne lesions.

Rosacea

Sometimes referred to as "adult acne". Typically presented with flushed, thick skin and pimples, rosacea usually affects the face and is more common in adults. People with rosacea often have skin that is highly sensitive to heat. Infrared saunas generate considerable heat, which could trigger or worsen rosacea symptoms, including flushing and redness.

Rosacea is characterized by chronic inflammation too. While saunas may help with inflammation in some cases, they could make it worse for people with rosacea due to the intensity of heat exposure.

Eczema

Atopic dermatitis, often referred to as eczema, is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition characterized by itchy, red, and scaly patches. It's particularly common in children but can affect adults as well. The condition is often associated with other allergic conditions like asthma and allergic rhinitis. 

People with eczema have a weakened skin barrier. This can lead to problems like dryness, irritation, and itching. The dry heat in the infrared sauna might aggravate skin dryness, potentially leading to increased irritation and itching in individuals with eczema.

Many people with eczema have skin that is sensitive to temperature changes, including heat. The intense heat generated in Infrared saunas may trigger or worsen flare-ups by causing skin discomfort and increasing the itchiness. 

Eczema is mainly caused by an overactive immune response in the skin, which can make the skin very sensitive and trigger itchy and red. The heat from the sauna may influence the immune response, which could be beneficial for some when it brings down inflammation but detrimental for others if it intensifies their skin's hypersensitivity.

There is no known research into the effects of sauna on inflammatory conditions like eczema.

Psoriasis

This chronic condition causes scaly skin that may swell or feel hot. It is manifested in various severities and forms across different age groups. Psoriasis is another skin disorder that might be influenced by infrared sauna use.

While specific studies on infrared saunas and psoriasis are scarce, the condition is known for its chronic inflammation caused by an abnormal immune response, characterized by red, scaly plaques on the skin.

The warmth and light from infrared saunas could potentially help to lower inflammation and plaque build-up, similar to certain light therapies used in psoriasis treatment [1].

Cholinergic urticaria 

Cholinergic urticaria is specifically triggered by activities that increase body temperature, such as exercise, hot showers, or emotional stress, leading to itchy hives. You would think that the heat of saunas, including infrared saunas would have the same effect, but research [2] suggests otherwise.

A study into this topic poses that it might offer symptomatic relief for conditions like cholinergic urticaria [3], especially in cases resistant to standard antihistamine treatments.

These study's findings suggest that controlled heat exposure in saunas may help alleviate symptoms related to urticaria (hyves) where traditional medications have limited effectiveness.

Chronic urticaria

Not to be confused with cholinergic urticaria,  chronic urticaria is a condition where hives, with or without angioedema, occur for 6 weeks or longer without an identifiable cause. Although these conditions differ, it's important to note that cholinergic urticaria and chronic urticaria do share some similarities.

Both conditions involve the development of hives. The study earlier mentioned that sauna therapy could be beneficial for severe urticaria. This suggests that infrared saunas might have a positive impact on the symptoms of chronic urticaria too.

These and other skin conditions can have a wide range of impacts on individuals, from physical discomfort to significant effects on mental well-being and quality of life.

Treatment and management strategies vary widely, depending on the specific condition and its severity, and can include topical treatments, medications, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, more advanced therapies like laser treatment or phototherapy.

Infrared saunas may have potential benefits for some of these skin conditions due to their ability to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and potentially support the body's natural anti-inflammatory processes.

However, each skin condition has its unique triggers and characteristics, and the effectiveness of sauna therapy can vary from person to person. 

If you have a skin condition, especially inflammatory, consult your doctor before you consider using infrared saunas. 

Infrared sauna and Heat Rash

Heat rash, also known as sweat rash, prickly heat or miliaria [4], is a common skin condition that can be triggered by intense warmth and sweating in hot, humid conditions. This happens when sweat ducts are obstructed, trapping sweat beneath the skin, leading to irritation, redness, and blister-like eruptions. Here are some preventative measures when using sauna:

Hydration is Key

Adequate hydration before, during and after sauna sessions helps regulate body temperature and sweat production, reducing the likelihood of sweat duct blockage.

Limit Session Duration

Shorter, more frequent sauna sessions can prevent excessive sweating and allow your body to adapt gradually, minimizing the risk of heat rash development.

Cool Down Gradually

After a sauna session, allow your body to cool down slowly. Sudden temperature changes can amplify perspiration and the potential for skin irritation.

Wear Loose Clothing

Post-sauna, choose breathable, loose-fitting clothes to prevent further sweat entrapment and skin irritation.

Monitor Your Skin

Be vigilant about any signs of heat rash, such as small red bumps or itchiness. Early detection can prevent more severe outbreaks.

Consult with a Dermatologist

For individuals with a history of heat rash or sensitive skin, consulting a dermatologist before engaging in regular IR sauna sessions is advisable. They can provide personalized advice and preventative measures tailored to your skin's needs.

WHAT SKINCARE TO DO AFTER SAUNA? ESSENTIALS FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

The warmth of an infrared sauna can be a double-edged sword for those with sensitive skin or specific dermatological conditions. However, according to this study [5], the sauna itself isn't the primary culprit for skin dryness; rather, it's the post-sauna skin care routine (or lack thereof) that can lead to moisture loss.

Proper after-sauna skin care starts by washing well, avoiding harsh scrubbing tools, and using moisturizers, especially emollients. These creams soothe and hydrate the skin by creating a protective layer to lock in moisture.

Ideal for treating dry, irritated skin conditions like psoriasis, they help to prevent dryness and keep the skin soft and comfortable, especially after the drying effects of a sauna session.

As we wrap up, we've untangled the complex effects of infrared saunas on skin health. We examined how saunas interact with skin conditions, explored heat rash prevention, and emphasized the crucial role of aftercare. Armed with this knowledge, you can make informed decisions.

For more comprehensive insights and detailed information on skin conditions, you might consult the websites of Johns Hopkins Medicine [6] and the American Academy of Dermatology [7], which offer extensive resources and guidelines for understanding, diagnosing, and managing skin conditions.

Diane Sargent

References

1. American Academy of Dermatology Assocciation, Psoriasis Treatment: Phototherapy, https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/treatment/medications/phototherapy

2. Eli Magen, Beneficial effect of sauna therapy on severe antihistamine-resistant chronic urticaria,PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24761711/

3. Biology Dictionary, Cholinergic, https://biologydictionary.net/cholinergic/

4. Evan Starkman and Deanna Altomara, What is Heat Rash, WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/understanding-heat-rash-basics

5. M Hannuksela and A Väänänen, The sauna, skin and skin diseases, PubMed,  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3218900/

6. Johns Hopkins Medicine, Common Skin Disorders, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/common-skin-disorders

7. American Academy of Dermatology Assocciation, Skin Conditions By The Numbers, https://www.aad.org/media/stats-numbers

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