Saunas are trendy, but are you safe for your skin?

Although saunas have a long and rich story that goes back about 10,000 years, they have experienced a renaissance in the past few months. Saunas not only offer the chance to relax and relax (something that most of us don't do enough with our busy life), but also offer a long list of health advantages. Spending time in a sauna can help improve the circulation, reduce blood pressure, reduce muscle and joint pain, improve sleep, increase your immune system and much more. Saunas also have some convincing advantages over the largest organ of all: their skin.

Of course, how advantageous saunas are for your skin depends on your skin type and how often you use it. In order to understand how saunas are done correctly and their potential advantages are maximized, I have met two dermatologists who have been certified by the board Mraz, MD and Blair Murphy-Rose, MD for their insights and expertise. Read on for everything you need to know to use your time in the heat – and get a nice, moist shine.

What are the advantages of saunas for the skin?

When we talk about the skin advantages of saunas, we ultimately talk about the circulation. The heat of a sauna extends the blood vessels and increases blood circulation when sweating, explains Dr. Mraz. This circulatory thrust delivers your skin, which in turn looks good and glowing. Another plus? Heat from a sauna can also loosen the sebum that gets stuck in blocked pores and contributes to clarifying them, ”adds Dr. Murphy rose added. Just don't forget to remove your make -up and wash your face with a gentle cleaning agent before you have the sauna to prevent sweat with dead skin cells and build up, which can ultimately create outbursts.

Saunas also promote the relaxation that helps to reduce cortisol levels and systemic inflammation, which can help treat inflammatory skin diseases (such as rosacea, psoriasis and eczema). As with all good things, however, there is a catch: “Because excess heat may dry out the skin, it is important to remain very hydrated and to avoid longer exposure to sauna heat,” warns Dr. Murphy rose. What brings us …

How long should you stay in a sauna for skin?

Saunas are best used in moderation. “Overall, you should redeem yourself, starting with less than 10 minutes and a few times a week up to 20 or 30 minutes per session,” advises Dr. Mraz. “However, it really depends on how you feel and how you react to it. Listen to your body – and your skin – and adjust accordingly, ”she adds.

Another thing to be taken into account is the temperature of the sauna because higher temperatures can equate shorter sessions. “There are different protocols, but many toch temperatures between 170 and 220 degrees for optimal cardiovascular and general health,” adds Dr. Mraz added.

Can a sauna help to tighten the skin?

Saunas and detoxification they offer are often associated with the tightening of the skin by reducing swelling, but the truth is that this really depends on what causes swelling. “If the swelling comes from water retention, you can notice the appearance of a stricter skin by sweating it out in a sauna, but it is important to be properly hydrated to rinse this excess water without causing dehydration,” says Dr. Mraz. “When we are dehydrated, we actually keep more water (and look swollen) because our body longs for the fluid intake and wants to hold on to it.”

However, the one in circulation in circulation, the sauna trigger, can help to ward off liquids from superficial tissues and to undress what the skin looks closer and more shaped.

What about red light and infrared saunas?

Different types of saunas are available nowadays. While traditional wood burning and smoke sauces have dominated a large part of the story, infrared sauces have recently proven to be extremely popular. “They all offer similar advantages, but in particular saunas The red light can offer additional advantages,” says Dr. Mraz. “You have a direct correlation with a stimulating collagen and elastin and the entire skin healing. So if you consider a sauna for skin advantages, an infrared sauna would be the right way.”

What are the disadvantages of the sauna for the skin?

Hate to be the wearer of bad news, but there is some Disadvantages to use a sauna. “The heat of traditional saunas can make inflammatory skin diseases such as rosacea and eczema,” explains Dr. Murphy rose.

In addition, the high heat from saunas can both trigger and aggravate the melasma. So if you are susceptible to this type of hyperpigmentation, it is best to skip the sauna as a whole. Oh, and if you have a super dry skin, the heat from saunas can still dry your skin, so take care.

Are saunas or steam trees for the skin better?

Although saunas and steam trees use different types of heat – dry heat or moist heat – they offer similar detoxification and circulation services for the skin. “Ultimately, steam trees can be better for the skin, as long as the heat is not exaggerated, since in contrast to the dry heat of the traditional sauna, they can moist,” says Dr. Murphy rose. Thanks to its red light and its effects on collagen and elastin production, the skin has expressly established and examined in the infrared saunas.

The conclusion:

In summary, saunas have a lot of great advantages for your general health and skin – your skin type can handle saunas and you use one for the right time. Just don't forget to gently clean your skin before and after your sauna meeting to avoid outbursts and let your skin breathe. And of course if you are not sure whether your skin can do a regular sauna time, you should contact a DERM for your advice.

Meet the experts:

• Deann Mraz RobinsonPresent MD, is a dermatologist certified by the board and co -founder of Modern dermatology In Westport, CT, where you and your team offer all types of medical and cosmetic dermatology treatments. Dr. Mraz Robinson is also a deputy clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University of Medicine in New Haven.

• Blair Murphy-RoseMD, is a dermatologist certified by the board at the California Skin Institute in Newport Beach, approx. She is a leading expert for the treatment and detection of diseases, including acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and skin cancer, and believes in a comprehensive approach to the health of the skin.

Why trust Cosmopolitan?

Gabby Shacknai is a journalist in New York, New York, with years of experience in research, writing and processing beauty and wellness stories. It is an authority in all skin care, but an expert when it comes to wellness tools and rituals. She works regularly with top dermatologists and plastic surgeons to evaluate new skin care treatments, trends, products and technologies.

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