Is Sauna Really Good For Your Skin? Dermat Shares

Saunas have been long celebrated as a ritual of relaxation and purification. Now, they are more than just a spa trend, but also a booming amenity in gyms, and even residential properties. While numerous individuals enter the steamy room wishing for radiant, youthful-looking skin, the question remains if saunas are actually good for your skin or is it a myth? To have our answers, we reached out to our expert, Dr Sanjeev Gulati, Dermatologist, Department of Dermatology, Sharda Hospital - Noida, and here is what he shared with us.

Science Behind Saunas and Skin

A sauna is when your body subjected to dry or wet heat, usually 70–100°C. The high temperature boosts blood flow, opens up pores, and causes you to sweat, which is a process usually associated with detoxification and skin renewal. Dr Gulati explained that this heightened blood flow could provide the skin with nutrients, making it temporarily radiant.

Benefits of Sauna Sessions on Skin

Sauna helps make our skin glow and here’s how Dr Gulati highlighted that it benefits: 

1. Deep Cleansing

Sweating in a sauna promotes flushing out dirt, oil, and bacteria from clogged pores, which may minimize breakouts and leave your skin feeling revitalized.

2. Improved Circulation for Glowing Skin

Heat triggers circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the surface of the skin. This can leave you with a natural, saunalike glow many people adore.

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3. Exfoliation and Regeneration

Frequent sauna exposure can accelerate skin cell turnover, facilitating dead skin to flake off more readily and making it possible for fresh, healthy cells to emerge.

4. Stress Relief Carried Over to Skin

Stress is usually associated with skin issues such as acne, dryness, or breakouts of skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Relaxation induced by saunas can contribute indirectly to the overall well-being of your skin.

Are There Downsides Of Sauna Too?

While saunas are good, Dr Gulati recommended that they are not safe or effective for everyone's skin. Here are a few demerits of saunas:

• Dryness & Irritation: Long-term heat exposure can dry out the skin of its natural oils, resulting in dryness, redness, or irritation.
• Aggravation of Some Skin Conditions: Individuals who have rosacea, eczema, or extremely sensitive skin might experience flare-ups as a result of the heat.
• Dehydration Risk: Saunas lead to excessive sweating, and without adequate hydration, skin will look dull rather than brilliant.

Professional Secrets for Sauna Skincare

Additionally Dr Gulati also spilled the beans and shared some professional secrets of sauna skincare that you should know. These may include:

• Hydrate Before and After: Drink water prior to getting in and replenish fluids after.
• Limit Time: 15 to 20 minutes is safe for most; extended exposure can damage the skin barrier.
• Moisturise: Use a gentle, hydrating moisturizer after the sauna to seal in moisture.
• Cleanse First: Going into the sauna with clean skin minimizes oil and dirt mixing with sweat and clogging pores.

“Saunas can be an added benefit to your skincare routine, but they are not a magic solution. Use them as a calming pick-me-up and not an over-all-in-one solution,” Dr Gulati concluded.

Bottomline

Saunas can be beneficial for the skin if used moderately. They increase blood flow, stimulate detoxification through sweat, and give you that much-coveted glow. But the effects are short-term and should be counterbalanced with adequate water intake and skin care. Use a dermatologist if you have sensitive skin or recurrent skin conditions before incorporating sauna sessions into your regimen.