People who suffer from acne can try several treatments, so can a sauna help with acne? Keep reading to find the answer to this question.
Acne is one of the most common skin problems, which happens when the hair follicles become blocked. The sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, which mixes with the dead skin cells and forms whiteheads or blackheads. After that, the harmless bacteria on the skin infect the blocked pores, causing acne and cysts, which might be painful.
Can a Sauna Help with Acne?
Several factors can lead to acne formation and spread, making it one of the most challenging skin conditions. This is why people might try several remedies and treatments to clear their skin and make it look healthy.
A sauna can actually help with acne because it helps regulate the oil production in the skin. Acne is caused by the overproduction and accumulation of sebum, and the high temperature will help resolve the blocked pores and prevent the buildup of dead skin cells and oils.
Saunas can also help regulate your skin’s pH levels, improving its health and making it less likely to develop pimples and cysts. Moreover, the high heat will induce sweating to help the body eliminate toxins and harmful bacteria. These harmful bacteria infect the blocked pores, leading to the formation of pustules and pimples.
However, you need to use the sauna properly to guarantee that it improves your skin’s health. Excess sweat can accumulate on the top of the skin, trapping debris that can worsen acne breakouts.
Which Sauna Type Is Best for Acne?
The traditional or Finnish sauna is probably the most common type but not the best for acne treatment. The infrared sauna is a type of dry sauna that uses an infrared heater to emit light and heat. This type of sauna is considered a staple in alternative therapies and has shown some success in treating several conditions.
Infrared saunas are particularly beneficial for acne because they penetrate the skin layers and target the sebaceous glands. These glands respond to the high heat and regulate their sebum production to decrease the severity of acne.
Other types of saunas include Turkish baths and dry saunas. People can also have wood-burning or electric saunas at home.
Tips for Using Sauna To Treat Acne
Combined with other treatments, saunas can help reduce the severity of acne and help it resolve faster. However, several tips can help you have clear skin with the help of saunas.
Keep Your Skin Clean
The heat from the sauna will open up your pores, so you must wash your face properly before treatment. You shouldn’t use makeup or skin products before the session, so nothing mixes with the sweat and worsens your acne.
After the sauna, you should wash your skin immediately to remove all the sweat and toxins. You can also use an acne treatment as your pores will be clean and ready to absorb the active ingredients to improve your skin condition.
Stay Hydrated
Using a sauna increases your body temperature and induces sweating, so your body will become dehydrated unless you drink enough water. Dehydration makes the skin pores collapse, and the oil and sebum can come to the surface, forming blackheads and acne.
Saunas are safe for the skin and don’t cause dry skin, but if you don’t drink enough water before and after your session, you might start seeing fine lines and scaly patches on your skin.
Don’t Touch Your Face
You might be tempted to touch your face during and after the sauna treatment. However, this can make your skin condition worse. The dirt and oil on your fingers can get trapped in your open pores, making your skin more inflamed.
Avoid Using Harsh Products
Many people consider sauna time a good chance to treat their skin and hair. Yet, you should avoid using harsh products because sweating can make some harsh chemicals get in touch with your inflamed skin.
Wrap Up
A sauna can help with acne when used right. The excess heat opens up your pores to help regulate the production of sebum and clear clogged pores. At the same time, the induced sweating can help release some of the trapped toxins that lead to skin inflammation.
An infrared sauna is the best type for acne and can also help with other health conditions. However, you should keep your skin clean, stay hydrated, and avoid touching your face before, during, and after the treatment. This will help you reap the health benefits of the sauna treatment and improve the look of your skin.