Does infrared sauna affect hair?

Author: Ms. Leta Kerluke DDS  |  Last update: Monday, February 2, 2026

While certainly not all bad for your hair, infrared saunas can leave your hair feeling dry and brittle. But as long as you take the correct precautions to protect your hair during your sessions, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Is infrared sauna damaging to hair?

Unfortunately, the heat occasionally depletes the hair of moisture, leaving it dry, brittle, and prone to breaking. When using an infrared sauna to promote hair development, care must be taken to keep the hair wet and avoid breakage.

What are the negative effects of an infrared sauna?

Are There Any Dangers to Infrared Saunas? If used improperly or excessively, infrared saunas can lead to dehydration, overheating, and even burns. Certain medical conditions might make them unsafe. Consult your doctor beforehand.

Does infrared heat damage your hair?

We are often asked, “Is infrared sauna bad for your hair?” or “Does infrared sauna damage hair?”. The simple answer is infrared saunas have no direct effect on hair. But it's not just about avoiding harm. The use of infrared saunas can actively contribute to hair health.

Should you wash your hair after an infrared sauna?

In general, you should always wash your hair after sweating in the sauna. You can rinse your hair before sauna and cover your head for a longer lasting sauna experience. After the sauna, wash and condition your hair normally.

THIS is What Happens To Your Body in an Infrared Sauna | Dr. Steven Gundry

Does sauna stimulate hair growth?

Traditional saunas can help to reduce the production of DHT by promoting detoxification, reducing inflammation, and improving circulation, which can help to promote healthy hair growth.

What to do immediately after infrared sauna?

What To Do After An Infrared Sauna Session
  1. Rinse. Getting your sweat on in an infrared sauna is one of the most enjoyable parts of the session. ...
  2. Rehydrate. During an infrared sauna session, it's quite common for your body to sweat out enough water to bring down your body weight. ...
  3. Have a Nutritious Meal. ...
  4. Relax.

How do you protect your hair in a sauna?

Use a soft hair tie to avoid any unnecessary pulling or breakage. Apply a hair mask: Applying a hair mask before your sauna session can help protect your hair from the heat and humidity. Look for a mask that contains nourishing ingredients like keratin, argan oil, or shea butter.

What are the dangers of infrared heat?

IR-A radiation with its excessive heat can cause irreversible damage (such as burns) to the retina and cloud the lens, which can lead to a cataract (also known as glassblower's cataract or infrared cataract).

What is an infrared sauna good for?

Many studies have looked at using infrared saunas in the treatment of long-lasting health problems and found some proof that saunas may help. Conditions studied include high blood pressure, heart failure, dementia and Alzheimer's disease, headache, type 2 diabetes, and arthritis.

What happens if you use infrared sauna everyday?

With more use you'll notice a deep, purifying sweat and an invigorating feeling afterward. There is no one answer for the amount of sessions per week, but infrared saunas are safe to use every day. In fact, you will see wellness improvements sooner if you use it daily.

What are 2 disadvantages of infrared?

Following are the disadvantages of Infrared sensor: ➨Infrared frequencies are affected by hard objects (e.g. walls, doors) , smoke, dust, fog, sunlight etc. Hence it does not work through walls or doors. ➨Infrared waves at high power can damage eyes.

Why do I feel worse after infrared sauna?

The main reasons why you may feel worse after an infrared sauna session are due to dehydration, fatigue, your body reacting to detoxification, heat discomfort or light-headedness.

Can sauna detox your hair?

A sauna room can have temperaturesas high as 185oF, which efficiently stimulates hair vitalization, while retaining the moisture. Intense heat helps to remove toxins and dead cells while cleaning the blood vessels, says an article on The Sauna Place. Moisture is one of the most important ingredients of hair health.

What happens if you don't shower after infrared sauna?

Not showering after your sauna session can lead to the reabsorption of toxins through your skin. The residual sweat can clog pores, potentially leading to skin irritations or breakouts. By taking a quick shower, you wash away these impurities, ensuring your skin remains clean and your pores unblocked.

Does infrared age your skin?

Studies have been conducted to quantitatively measure IR-induced skin damage. Indicators of cell damage such as MMP-1, an enzyme involved in the normal turnover of skin collagen, are used. Increased MMP-1 synthesis is suggested to contribute to premature skin aging.

Is infrared heat safe for hair?

Obvious and Implicit Infrared Hair Dryer Benefits

You will dry your hair in the same way that the sun does. This method is harmless and natural, so it is healthy for hair and skin. The heat provided by infrared blow dryers is gentler, which makes it more comfortable on the scalp.

Why is infrared heating not popular in the USA?

The upfront cost of installing infrared heating can also be a deterrent for some homeowners. While infrared heating panels are competitively priced when compared to installing boilers or central heating systems, people may still see them as more expensive than traditional convection heaters or electric radiators.

Do infrared saunas dry out your hair?

While certainly not all bad for your hair, infrared saunas can leave your hair feeling dry and brittle. But as long as you take the correct precautions to protect your hair during your sessions, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Should I wash my hair after a sauna?

Wash your hair with cold water after your sauna

Once you've finished, wash your hair with cold water or use a cold plunge pool. You'll need to wash your hair anyway, to remove any sweat or residues, but using cold water will help close the hair cuticles. If you're able to, allow your hair to air-dry.

Why not wear clothes in sauna?

If you enter the sauna in everyday clothes, the heat releases dirt and dust into the air, so you won't get the full benefits of a good sauna session. After you've taken a shower, you should decide what to wear or not wear during those 10 to 45 minutes in the sauna.

Why do I pee so much after infrared sauna?

How It Works - Heat causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow to the skin and extremities. This increased circulation can stimulate the kidneys to filter more blood, leading to higher urine output.

What not to do in infrared sauna?

Be Aware
  1. The use of drugs, medication or alcohol prior to or during the infrared sauna session may lead to dizziness or unconsciousness. ...
  2. Please consult your physician if you are in doubt of your ability to use the infrared sauna for health reasons.
  3. No one under the age of 18 is permitted in the infrared sauna.

Should I take a cold shower after infrared sauna?

So, the next time you use a far infrared sauna, remember to take a cold shower afterwards and indulge in this therapeutic and invigorating ritual.

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