Should skin be exposed in infrared sauna?

Author: Guido Homenick DVM  |  Last update: Friday, May 16, 2025

Key takeaway. Infrared saunas, with their low-level light therapy, may provide your body benefits. However, long, repeated exposure to high-intensity infrared light can be harmful to the skin.

How to protect your skin in an infrared sauna?

Stay hydrated.

It's vitally important to stay hydrated before, during, and after your infrared sauna session. Without enough water in your system, sweating can dehydrate your skin (not to mention make you feel dizzy). Make sure to drink plenty of water before and after your session.

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.

Can infrared pass through skin?

This explains the relatively large penetration depth of IR -A radiation (780–1,400 nanometres), which can penetrate up to some 5 millimetres into the skin, allowing it to reach the hypodermis and act on it directly.

What is the etiquette for infrared sauna?

This approach enables the infrared light to penetrate your skin effectively and regulate your body temperature. Sauna Wear for Men: Loose shorts or a bathing suit are ideal. Going shirtless is encouraged for maximum skin exposure. Sauna Wear for Women: A sports bra and loose shorts, or a swimsuit, work well.

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

Should you wipe sweat in infrared sauna?

You'll need a towel to sit on and a smaller towel to wipe down with once you start sweating. Remember, your body will be sending out toxins, including heavy metals, with your sweat, and you won't want your sauna bench or floor to absorb these.

How soon should you shower after infrared sauna?

We do not have a shower in our office. However, we actually recommend not showering immediately after your session, if possible, as you continue to sweat out toxins and burn calories while your body cools down. It could take an hour to fully cool down, but feel free to shower 30 minutes after your session.

Do infrared saunas damage skin?

Are Infrared Saunas Bad for Your Skin? While high doses of infrared radiation (especially NIR) have shown some skin-damaging effects in studies, standard infrared saunas operate at much lower levels. Excessive heat can dry out your skin so moisturizing is advised.

What are two disadvantages of infrared?

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). IR-B radiation can damage the blood vessels down to the fatty tissue.

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.

Should I cover my hair in an infrared sauna?

This method of heating does not strip moisture from your hair, unlike the steam from a wet sauna. However, if you have concerns about heat exposure, a simple precaution like wearing a damp towel around your hair can offer additional protection.

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.

Do you wear a bathing suit in an infrared sauna?

For the best-infrared sauna experience, wear something loose-fitting and light. This may vary from shorts and a light cotton shirt to your bathing suit, a towel, or nothing. You'll want maximum ventilation because the infrared sauna raises your core body temperature and produces a lot of sweat.

Are infrared saunas good for aging?

A study in The Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy showed significant improvements in skin appearance after 3 months of sauna skin therapy using NIR tech. Participants saw reduced wrinkles, improved skin tone, softness, smoothness, elasticity, clarity and firmness.

Why is infrared heating not popular?

We understand why people look at infrared heating—it sounds energy efficient. But in reality, infrared heaters need to stay on longer to maintain warmth, and because they only heat what they directly touch, they often end up using more energy than expected.

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 is the effect of infrared on the human skin?

Results: Detrimental effects such as thermal burns, photocarcinogenesis, and photoaging have been reported, though evidence suggests that these may be due to the thermal effects produced secondary to IR exposure rather than the isolated effect of IR.

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.

Does sauna age your skin?

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can contribute to premature aging. Collagen, a protein crucial for skin elasticity, can be affected by excessive heat. While moderate sauna use is considered safe, caution is advised to prevent long-term adverse effects.

Is NIR bad for your face?

Intense infrared radiation, or heat, has been shown to be detrimental to the skin. Heat increases the production of melanocyte pigment within the skin, so it can worsen melasma and other skin pigmentation concerns.

What to avoid after an infrared sauna?

What Not to Do After Infrared Sauna Sessions
  • Eating heavy foods. Consuming heavy or oily foods can often make your skin feel more oily as well as feed more unhealthy ingredients back into your body. ...
  • Drinking sugary drinks or alcohol. ...
  • Doing intense exercise. ...
  • Overstaying in the sauna.

Is it better to do infrared sauna in morning or night?

There isn't a definitive answer, as sauna benefits can be reaped at any time of the day. Morning sauna sessions tend to gear you up for the day, improving metabolism, concentration level, and productivity. On the other hand, saunas at night can help you wind down, relax, and prepare for a good night's sleep.

What is sauna etiquette?

Shower Before Entering Sauna: if you plan on going into the sauna after working out, please shower and change into clean clothes first. Respect Personal Space and Privacy: choose a spot that provides all occupants with the most personal space and avoid staring. Refrain from Having Conversations.

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