Using Infrared Sauna For Psoriasis
Even though saunas are associated with heat as well as over-drying the skin, they can give your skin much-needed relief. You should indeed be hydrated before entering a sauna because you will sweat a lot, but that does not mean your skin will be dried out. This has been confirmed in various related studies.
Infrared saunas are shown to improve the condition of your skin. The infrared rays can deeply penetrate your body and lead to improvement without the harmful UV rays. Infrared saunas are beneficial when it comes to:
- Delivering nutrients to the epidermis.
- Improving the elasticity of the skin.
- Eliminating the toxins.
- Removing the dead skin cells.
- Improving the immune system.
How Can A Sauna Be Bad For The Skin
The drawback of a sauna is that temperatures are much hotter than in a steam room so while they can increase blood circulation and offer the benefits as mentioned above, someone with a lot of redness in their skin should avoid using a sauna altogether. Its important to note that since heat rises, it wont be as hot for any type of skin if you sit on one of the lower benches versus the top bench. I remember this all too well from my young sauna days. My sisters and I would complain about it getting so hot and how we couldnt breathe and my grandmother was always telling us, Move to the bottom bench! And yes, it was much less hot down there.
Also, saunas are a drier heat because the temperatures are between 170-212 degrees making a less humid environment, anywhere from 5-20%. While they will provide a little hydration to the skin, they are considerably less beneficial for hydration than a steam room. Similar to use with a steam room, always apply a moisturizer immediately on the skin afterward to keep the hydration in the skin and prevent evaporation when the air is dry.
In summary, from a hydration standpoint, both steam and saunas are beneficial but there are many topical products that can provide an easier and quicker way to hydrate thirsty skin cells if thats the goal youre going for. A hyaluronic acid-based serum like Skin Drink Concentrate or a moisturizer like Glow Enhancing Creme are both excellent for delivering hydration to thirsty skin cells.
Steam Can Combat Problem Skin
If you suffer from dry skin or conditions that get easily irritated by extremely dry weather or sweating , then a steam room could be a far better friend to you than a sauna. Hart notes that the warm, damp air will work to drench skin in moisture, hydrating rather than stripping it. Oily, acne-prone skin could benefit, too, as the moisture can help rebalance overactive sebum glands while the heat and humidity work to simultaneously unclog and cleanse.
Also Check: How Does Eczema Look Like In Babies
Is The Sauna Good For Dry Skin In General
According to Dr. Erin Gilbert, MD, PhD, saunas dilate your pores, detoxify your skin, and increase circulation to the skin. But what about if you have dry skin?
Saunas are good for dry skin because they hydrate the outer layer of your skin. They also increase circulation, bringing more blood towards the surface of your skin to soothe it. However, if your dry skin has cracks or open wounds, the sweat will hurt.
Despite some myths, Finnish saunas do not cause dry skin.
What Is A Sauna
Originally the sauna is an ancient Maya invention, then redeveloped by many peoples, including the Japanese, Turks, and Finns. There are many variations, but as each of them have different working methods, and may have dissenting effects, I would like to specify that I’ll be focusing solely on the traditional Finnish sauna.
Saunas are typically small wooden rooms, heated up to around 70-80 degrees celsius, equipped with a stove with hot rocks, on which water is thrown to create moisture in the air. The environment is calm, relaxing, and leisurely, bringing your focus to the present.
In Finland, sauna bathing is a traditional Saturday activity for families, a moment of me-time and relaxation, as well as a cherished summer house habit. In 2013 The Finnish Sauna Society estimated that there are around 3.2 million saunas in Finland, which make up over half of our population. Most of them are electric ones in normal households, but every Finns favorite is the wood-burning sauna, which are usually found in old farmhouses and cottages.
You May Like: Cetaphil Baby Eczema Soothing Lotion
Chillrx: Relieve Eczema With Cryotherapy & Infrared Sauna
Eczema is the name for a group of conditions that cause the skin to become red, itchy and inflamed. Eczema is considered to be an autoimmune condition because it occurs due to an overactive immune response to an environmental trigger. Inflammation results and causes the symptoms of eczema.
30 million Americans have some form of eczema but its not contagious. People who develop eczema do so because of a combination of genes and environmental triggers. When an irritant or an allergen turns on the immune system, inflammation develops and causes skin cells to behave aberrantly causing an eczema flare-up. All symptoms of eczema are the result of excess inflammation.
ChillRx Cryotherapy uses cryotherapy to reduce eczema-related symptoms. Depending on the type and severity of symptoms, we use a combination of whole body and local cryotherapy to treat eczema. Because eczema is an autoimmune disorder, the underlying cause of the excessive, out of control inflammation is unknown cryotherapy can effectively and safely suppress inflammation so that symptoms are significantly relieved.
There are eight different types of eczema and it is possible to have more than one type at a time.:
- Atopic dermatitis
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Stasis dermatitis
All types of eczema cause itching and redness, but some may also cause your skin to blister, weep, or peel. Eczema symptoms can be suppressed by reducing inflammation throughout the body and specifically in the skin.
- Wet, open sores
Change Out Of Wet Clothing As Soon As You Can
Staying dry should be your summertime mantra if youre struggling with eczema-prone skin. If you feel perspiration start to build and your T-shirt start to stick to your back, for instance, swap your wet clothes for dry ones as soon as you can. The BioMed Research International study found that changing clothes when they become wet with sweat is an effective way to manage sweat if you have eczema.
Recommended Reading: Best Treatment For Bad Eczema
Can Saunas Help Tighten Your Skin
I searched the web thoroughly and found no evidence that it will tighten the skin. This doesn’t mean that it won’t work, it just means that a study hasn’t been conducted yet to prove whether or not it works.
Sweat does help maintain the body’s collagen structures and can reduce the appearance of fine lines, so there may be some validity to the question.
I did find a study that stated that regular sauna sessions can help increase collagen production in the body which would affect loose skin, to some degree. I also found a good forum post where a few people stated that they felt different after using a sauna or performing cardiovascular exercise and felt like it was working, but had no solid proof of this.
If I find out more on this topic I will post about it here, to keep this page as updated as possible.
The Science Of Sweating
Sweating is a vital function that helps control body temperature. It involves the release of tiny sweat droplets through the pores in the skin the largest organ in the body. Sweating is triggered by an increase in body temperature, increase in environmental temperature, and emotional state.
Stress and anxiety can trigger perspiration. The body contains two types of sweat glands eccrine and apocrine sweat glands.
ECCRINE GLANDS: release sweat from birth that is free from fatty acids and proteins. They are located all over the body and produce an odourless sweat.
APROCRINE GLANDS: these glands activate during puberty and secrete a sweat rich in fatty acids and proteins. These glands are concentrated around the groin, armpits, and scalp and their sweat contains an odour.
As sweat forms on the skin, it evaporates into the air which creates the cooling effect. Furthermore, sweating is a great way to detox the body of toxins and cleanse and protect the skin.
Working up a sweat in a sauna is an excellent way to boost your health, relax, and treat the symptoms of psoriasis and eczema.
Do you want to discover your dream home sauna? There are many affordable and convenient options available today. Check out our guides to sauna blankets, infrared heating mats, portable steam saunas, and infrared tents today!
Recommended Reading: Can Gluten Cause Eczema In Babies
What Are The Benefits To The Skin From A Steam Room
Since humidity of a steam room is at 100%, it makes it quite hydrating to the skin. Skin cells are like fish and need water to live so steam can be very beneficial for keeping surface layers feeling moist and looking healthyas long as when you leave the steam room you apply a protective moisturizer to the skin to keep the hydration sealed into the skin. Through a process called osmosis, the dry air draws moisture from wherever it can get it and this includes your skin. So if a serum or cream isnt applied topically within 60 seconds to keep the moisture in the skin, it will evaporate out and the skin will be more dehydrated than even before you went in the steam room.
Another benefit is that of increased circulation that comes with heat. It is through the blood that oxygen and nutrients feed the cells in both our skin and body which are absolutely essential for keeping the metabolism of the cells acting young and making the repair processes function efficiently. All of this slows down with age so Im a real advocate of stimulating blood flow to the skin. You can read more about the importance of skin circulation to get a glow.
Saunas Are Like Exercise For Your Pores
Dr. Gilbert says, The thing about saunas is that youre getting pore dilation, youre opening up your pores. Pores are designed to help us regulate our temperature, she explains. What youre doing in a sauna is youre saying, Hey guys, its really hot in here, I need to get cooler. Part of the way your body cools down is by opening your pores and sweating. Being in a sauna, therefore, is like exercising your pores.
You May Like: Eczema All Of A Sudden
Saunas Induce A Deeper Sleep
Research has shown that a deeper, more relaxed sleep can result from sauna use. In addition to the release of endorphins, body temperatures that be come elevated in the late evening, fall at bedtime. This slow, relaxing decline in endorphins is key in facilitating sleep. Sauna bathers worldwide enjoy the deep sleep experiences resulting from the calming heat of an evening sauna.
Is Sauna Good For Skin
Yes, sauna is great for your skin. A good sauna session will cleanse your skin and flush out toxins and impurities. As your body temperature rises your pores open and trigger a deep cleaning sweat. It will boost your heart rate and send increased levels of oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to your skin tissue.
Also Check: Eczema On Hands And Feet Blisters
How Can Infrared Saunas Help Control Your Eczema
There are two main ways in which infrared can be beneficial to manage the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. The first one has to do with inflammation. As previously stated, the skin lesions in eczema are a result of inflammation. Inflammation is a result of specific chemicals being released in your body, and these affect the tissues they reach. The infrared waves in infrared saunas have been proven to reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory chemicals in your blood, and this has clinical relevance. By reducing the inflammation, the skin lesions will improve. This effect is also seen in patients with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis .
It is widely accepted that your immune system is influenced by your mind. Stress, anxiety and depression have a deleterious effect in your body and can worsen the symptoms of disorders such as eczema. Infrared saunas have also shown some promise in this regard. They control the sympathetic nervous system, which is the part of your nervous system responsible for fight-flight responses and stress. As a result, they promote relaxation and this translates into a clinical improvement. Infrared waves have also been used in the treatment of depression with excellent results .
Resources:
“Study shows painful eczema symptoms negatively impact quality of life.” Acaai.org, American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 16 July 2018, .
What Is An Infrared Sauna
If youre a fan of dry heat, theres a good chance youve spent time using a traditional sauna. These saunas heat the air around you and typically operate at a temperature of 180°F to 200°F .
According to the North American Sauna Society, the majority of saunas you see in homes and commercial settings use electric sauna heaters.
However, the infrared sauna, which uses electromagnetic radiation from infrared lamps to warm your body directly rather than heating the air, is gaining popularity.
Infrared saunas heat your core body temperature and only heat to about 150°F , says Dr. Fran Cook-Bolden, MD, FAAD, with Advanced Dermatology P.C.
Cook-Bolden says this type of heat penetrates deeper into the body and is thought to impact and heal deep tissue and also detox via sweating through your pores.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Otc For Eczema
Is Steam Room Good For Eczema
4.9/5steam roomssteam roomseczemaanswered comprehensively
Steam Can Combat Problem SkinIf you suffer from dry skin or conditions that get easily irritated by extremely dry weather or sweating , then a steam room could be a far better friend to you than a sauna.
Also, is sweating good for eczema? Sweat and eczema: controlling that itchFor people with eczema, exercise can dry out the skin through the loss of fluids, and the sodium in sweat can further dehydrate the skin as well as sting and irritate it.
In respect to this, does sauna help eczema?
Eczema, a common skin condition, can be debilitating and hard to treat. However, visiting the gym or a sauna could cure it, since sweating has been found to lessen its effect. Research found that it can help clear up your skin naturally.
Are steam rooms good for your skin?
Share on Pinterest Steam rooms may help to remove toxins from the skin, and are popular for improving skin health. Both steam rooms and saunas will make a person sweat due to the heat The sweating opens up the pores and helps cleanse the outer skin.
Dont Miss: How Do You Get Eczema In Your Ear
Thermal Suites Saunas And Steam Rooms
Hot tubs, however, are a different matter. They have warmer water, higher levels of bacteria and more concentrated cleaning agents than youd find in a large swimming pool, which all have a drying, aggravating effect on the skin, so are likely to exacerbate eczema symptoms.
Likewise, steam rooms and saunas are best avoided. In general, most eczema sufferers find that getting hot and sweaty, such as during exercise, can aggravate symptoms, making skin very itchy and inflamed. Therefore sitting in a sauna or steam room is likely to be pretty uncomfortable.
Instead of making your skin sore, pull up a poolside lounger and kick back with a magazine while your friends are making use of the thermal suites, or take a leisurely dip in the spa pool.
Recommended Reading: Can Eczema Go Away Completely
I Dont Want To Sweat Because It Hurts
Contrary to many peoples fears, going to a sauna doesnt hurt, even if the skin is scabby and broken. Even if the experience is intense, it should always be comfortable and relaxing. Broken skin will react in the shower, though, and it might be a bit painful for the first few times, yet the more regularly you repeat the treatment, the faster your skin will strengthen and the easier it gets. Scratching in the sauna is less damaging for the skin, but to avoid deep cuts its better to rub the dead skin off with a soft towel rather than with your fingernails.
You should attempt to stay in for around 20-30 minutes, which may seem long, but every minute counts for a better result. The goal is to elevate your heart rate and create a systemic effect, which is supposed to be a challenge for the body the same way as exercise because you are trying to activate your cortisol production.
Take shower breaks if you must, and remember to drink a lot of water! Sauna bathing is also a good time for you to distance yourself from screens and devices, and practice mindfulness. You wont be needing any activities in fact, the best pastime is to practice meditation or conversing with other people.
How To Exercise Safely With Eczema
If fitness isnt your forte, you might want to give it another chance.
There are many reasons why exercise helps eczema. It keeps the heart, muscles and bones strong and healthy. It boosts energy levels and the immune system. It improves brain health and memory. It lowers stress, depression and anxiety. It helps you lose weight and get a better nights sleep.
The downside of exercising with eczema is the fact that sweat can trigger flare-ups in some people. The body sweats in order to regulate body temperature. When we get hot and sweaty, the moisture evaporates, cooling us down. As the sweat evaporates, the skin dries out and is left with a salty residue that can irritate eczema skin and bring on the itch.
The good news is that there are steps you can take before, during and after your workout to reduce your chances of flaring. And even if you do have an eczema flare, there are low-impact exercises that will still give you the same fitness benefits without breaking a sweat.
Also Check: Over The Counter Treatment For Eyelid Eczema