One of the best visual indicators for the state of your health, is your skin, so says Dr David Sinclair from Harvard Uni. The skin is the body’s frontline defence against environmental adversity yet some of us consider it just an aesthetic concern. Sure, we all want to look healthier, younger and more vibrant so it’s a good job that infrared saunas can improve both its function and its appearance.
There are many well-known infrared sauna health benefits such as detoxification, reduced inflammation, and muscle recovery all of which will directly benefit your skin.
DETOXIFICATION
When we sit in a sauna, the infrared mobilises fat cells to begin the process of releasing toxins which exit the body through sweat. Purging your body of impurities will result in fewer clogged pores and less breakouts.
REDUCED INFLAMMATION
When the skin comes in to contact with an unwanted irritant, it defends itself via inflammation – its natural defence. At times this defence mechanism fails to stop which leads to extra inflammation manifesting skin diseases such as acne, rosacea, dermatitis, redness, itching, to name a few. Since infrared therapy enhances and improves circulation in the skin and other parts of the body, it can bring oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues, promoting the calming down and healing of the skin.
MUSCLE RECOVERY
Infrared sauna prompts your body to produce more collagen. This is the scaffolding under your skin which helps to plump out wrinkles and keep your skin from sagging (as well as repairing damage incurred through acute injury). Infrared makes your body produce more elastin too, which is the stuff that makes your skin able to stretch and return without perishing. Think better elasticity!
HOW TO PREP YOUR SKIN BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER AN INFRARED SAUNA SESSION:
Hydrate.
Start your session well hydrated. This helps you to produce plenty of healthy sweat to clear out your pores. Hydrating afterwards, ideally with electrolytes, will ensure you’re bringing back moisture that was released during the sweat.
Exfoliate.
Gently using a dry brush (we sell these at reception) will open the pores of your skin enabling the sweat to commence quicker in to your session and more efficiently, too. You’ll also get the added benefit of softer, suppler skin.
Moisturisers.
We actually recommend washing off any face or body moisturisers/serums/gels before your infrared sauna. At the very least, these products will lessen the amount you sweat and therefore the amount you benefit from the session but may also cause the skin to react adversely, leading to temporary discomfort.
Wash.
Lastly, you’ll need to wash all the toxin filled sweat from your body. If you can, end the shower with a blast of cold water to close the pores.