6 Ways Saunas Fight Acne
Acne can be a persistent adversary. Popping up uninvited, wreaking havoc on your skin, inflicting both physical discomfort and emotional distress. With hundreds of products on the market, you’ve undoubtedly tried many with little to no avail. It’s frustrating and can feel like a never-ending cycle of trial and error. If this sounds familiar, here is a powerful and perhaps unexpected ally in your battle against acne: the sauna.
The soothing heat of a sauna does more than just help you unwind after a long day. Regular sauna sessions can be advantageous to your mental and physical health. Moreover, incorporating saunas into your routine can improve the health and clarity of your skin. Sauna benefits go beyond simply cleansing and detoxifying skin, including the potential to alleviate acne.
How can saunas combat acne? What is the science behind sauna heat therapy and skin health? What are the risks and benefits of adding saunas and heat therapy to your health and wellness routine? Learn how this easy, natural method can enhance your skin, improve your health, and help you fight against acne.
Sauna Benefits for Acne
The secret behind the health benefits of sauna sessions is simple: heat. Heat exposure is vital for skin health, keeping skin looking refreshed, healthy, and blemish-free. Here are six ways that sauna heat therapy helps fight against acne.
1. Opening the Pores
Sauna temperatures range between 140 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit. While there are differences in recommended temperature between a wet sauna and a dry sauna, all saunas are hot enough to get people sweating. When the body starts sweating, the skin begins to loosen, and pores start to open.
As pores open, they release any impurities, bacteria, environmental pollutants, skincare products, dead skin cells, and more that have built up over time. This build-up has been known to cause breakouts. Everyone has these impurities in their skin, no matter how often a person washes their face.
2. The Detoxification Process
In addition to naturally cooling the body, sweat naturally rids the body of toxins. Known as detoxification, the increased sweat production removes all the buildup in your pores. It’s important to remember to cleanse the skin and wash the sweat off your skin after a sauna to ensure the bacteria and impurities don’t stay on after the sweat evaporates.
Some types of acne result from the build-up of impurities, while others can be caused by oily skin and hormones. Either way, sweating out impurities and cleansing them away can help prevent future breakouts.
3. Improved Circulation
Another health benefit of sauna sessions is improved circulation throughout the body. The warmth of the sauna induces vasodilation, a widening of blood vessels in the skin. This increases blood flow, delivering fresh oxygen and vital nutrients to skin cells.
The increased delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the skin promotes regeneration and healing, culminating in vibrant, healthier skin. Sauna skin rejuvenation is evident in the natural glow and anti-aging effects that regular sauna users often report. By enhancing circulation, saunas can significantly impact the health and appearance of your skin, making it a potent ally against acne and other skin concerns.
4. Killing Acne-Causing Bacteria
Saunas may also help combat certain types of acne at its root source: bacteria. The antibacterial sauna benefits arise from the fact that high temperatures typically found in saunas can influence populations of acne-causing bacteria, specifically Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes).
These bacteria live deep within follicles and pores and are among the predominant microbial species involved in the development of acne. Studies have shown that the “increase in sweat produced from time spent in the sauna could help to suppress the overgrowth of P. acnes.” This shows how saunas help acne sufferers find relief.
5. Decreased Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural body response to injury or infection. Acne-prone skin is likely to become inflamed during breakouts, which can cause other skin problems. Luckily, another benefit of sauna heat therapy is its ability to help decrease inflammation throughout the body. Not only does the heat increase circulation, reducing inflammation, but it also relieves any pain from inflamed areas. Lower inflammation levels mean less chance of acne.
6. Reduced Stress
Stress can cause a lot of unwanted issues, including acne. This is thanks to a combination of hormones the body creates when stressed. However, one of the health benefits of saunas is that they can help counteract stress-induced acne through relaxation and improved mood.
The stress hormone cortisol can lead to an overproduction of sebum in sebaceous glands. This leads to oily skin, which can clog pores. It also creates conditions for acne bacteria to reproduce, causing P. acnes. Sebum is considered the leading cause of acne in most adolescents.
The comforting warmth of a sauna can ease muscle tension and mental anxiety, creating a stress-free environment. Regular sauna sessions are renowned for their relaxation benefits, helping to reduce cortisol and lower sebum production.
Saunas and their naturally therapeutic environment offer a holistic approach to healthy skin. From opening and cleansing pores through sweat to improving circulation and reducing inflammation to reducing stress to kill bacteria, the skin benefits of a sauna are an ally in fighting acne.
Additional Health Benefits of Sauna Use
While acne relief is important, it’s beneficial to highlight the broader health benefits of sauna use. These perks range from cardiovascular improvements to enhanced immune function to mental health benefits, each contributing positively to overall wellness.
1. Improved Cardiovascular Health
Among the myriad of health benefits saunas are known for, a prominent one is enhancing cardiovascular health. A typical sauna session triggers a heart rate increase comparable to that experienced during physical exercise. This sauna-induced stimulation helps maintain cardio health, akin to the effect of a moderate-intensity workout.
Increased heart rate during a sauna session has been linked to lower blood pressure levels and contributes to overall better cardiovascular health outcomes. Improved circulation also aids in distributing nutrients to vital organs, including the skin. Ultimately, improved cardiovascular health can have a positive effect on your skin’s health, further aiding in your fight against acne.
2. Enhanced Immune Function
Another notable advantage of consistent sauna use is boosting your immune system. The heat stress from the sauna triggers the body to produce more white blood cells. One study found that a single Finnish sauna session can increase white blood cell count. These cells are responsible for fighting infections and disease, therefore strengthening your immune system. A robust immune system improves overall health and wellness, from skin to bones.
3. Mental Health Benefits
Lastly, one of the best benefits of a sauna is the calming and relaxing effect on the mind. The heat of a sauna promotes the release of endorphins, the body’s feel-good hormones. These significantly enhance mood and improve sleep quality, which can help to improve mental clarity, anxiety management, and depression symptoms.
Moreover, the tranquil environment of a sauna provides a much-needed break from the strains of everyday life. As mentioned above, stress relief and cortisol reduction are vital to lowering sebum and decreasing acne flare-ups and breakouts.
Exploring these health advantages, it’s evident that adopting regular and consistent sauna use goes well beyond fighting acne and improving skin. Saunas are a holistic ally in supporting overall well-being.
Sauna Risk Factors
As with any new health and wellness routine, it is crucial to understand the risks before beginning. Saunas are generally safe to use for most people, which is why they are used all around the world for their amazing benefits. However, there are a few sauna risk factors to consider.
Due to the extreme heat inside a sauna, those who are sensitive to heat exposure should avoid it. Generally, this includes people over 65, children under 7, pregnant women, and those who suffer from seizures. People who have suffered from a stroke or heart attack or those with aortic valve stenosis should speak with their medical professional before using a sauna.
Dehydration is the most significant risk factor when using a sauna. Before indulging in the warmth and relaxation, be sure to drink plenty of fluids. Know the symptoms of dehydration, and always listen to your body. Leave the sauna if you experience symptoms or feel uncomfortable. Do not drink alcohol or take medication that may inhibit your body’s ability to regulate body temperature. This can lead to dehydration and other medical issues.
Treatments such as sauna therapy are only beneficial if you take the necessary steps to have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Saunas as an Ally Against Acne
With their potent heat, Saunas provide a holistic approach to getting clearer skin. From how heat exposure leads to open pores and increased sweat production to the importance of reducing stress, saunas are an incredible tool for acne relief.
However, saunas offer so much more than acne relief. While improved circulation and reduced inflammation aid in blemish-free skin, they also improve overall cardiovascular health. Killing acne-causing bacteria and detoxifying pores helps fight acne, but they also help relieve the anxiety and frustration of living with acne.
Saunas are a great way to reduce stress, lower cortisol levels, and diminish sebum, oily skin, and breakouts. Reduced stress also enhances mood and improves mental clarity and sleep quality. Overall, saunas create a positive loop of benefits that help both the body and the mind, resulting in clear and radiant skin.
Considering a sauna’s health benefits, it might be time to rethink your skincare strategy and arm yourself with this powerful and natural ally in your battle with acne. Invest in the heat-based haven of a sauna where your body, mind, and skin can find sanctuary.
