6 Infrared Sauna Skin Benefits to Know

Sitting in a sauna provides a sensory escape, immersing you in a serene world of warmth and tranquility. But did you know the benefits of soaking in a sauna are just as tangible as the atmosphere it creates? This is particularly true when it comes to infrared saunas.

From deeply cleansing your pores to boosting circulation and promoting a healthy glow, there are a host of infrared sauna skin benefits that can leave you feeling renewed inside and out. 

Let's dive into why this ancient practice is a modern skincare essential.

#1 Detoxifies Skin by Eliminating Toxins

All types of infrared saunas use infrared light to heat your body directly, rather than warming the air around you as traditional saunas do. Infrared light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, operating in the invisible range of light. It delivers heat that penetrates deeply into your skin and tissues.

As the heat envelops your body, your pores respond by opening, and sweat begins to flow. It’s the body’s natural way of cooling itself—but sweating can also act as a powerful cleansing process.¹

While water and electrolytes compose the majority of your sweat, low levels of toxins—like heavy metals and BPA—are also expelled through this natural detoxification.¹ In fact, a study of six university students found that sitting in a sauna can promote the excretion of five heavy metals²:

• Nickel (Ni) – May cause contact dermatitis, cardiovascular disease, asthma, lung fibrosis, and respiratory tract cancer³

• Lead (Pb) – May damage the brain and nervous system, impair growth, cause hearing problems, and lead to behavioral difficulties⁴

• Copper (Cu) – May cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain⁵

• Mercury (Hg) – May cause permanent lung damage and potential brain damage and disrupt the nervous system⁶

• Arsenic (As) – May cause cardiovascular issues as well as cancer and skin lesions⁷

Your pre-recovery exercise routine can enhance this detoxification process even further. The same study found that running on a treadmill promotes the excretion of even higher levels of these heavy metals, making the combination of exercise and sauna sessions a powerful duo for eliminating toxins and supporting overall health.²

#2 Promotes Enhanced Circulation for Glowing Skin

When you sit in a sauna, your body responds to the heat beyond just sweating. The dry heat of an infrared sauna, which can reach up to 149 degrees Fahrenheit, can increase your heart rate by 30% or more and cause your blood vessels to widen, promoting blood flow.⁸

The blood carries nutrients, antioxidants, and oxygen to skin cells to⁹:

• ​​Enhance the skin’s ability to heal and regenerate
• Create a brighter, healthier complexion
• Combat free radical damage

The benefits of sauna-induced blood circulation extend far beyond the surface, working holistically to improve overall health and, in turn, promote radiant skin. A 2022 study found that sedentary adults who combined exercise with post-recovery sauna therapy sessions⁹:

• Enhanced heart and lung health – Increased circulation from sauna use ensures that your skin receives a consistent supply of oxygen and nutrients delivered by the bloodstream. This improved oxygenation boosts cell turnover, a process that helps repair damaged skin, reduce dullness, and enhance radiance. With stronger cardiovascular and respiratory systems, your body becomes more efficient at delivering what your skin needs to stay healthy.

• Reduced blood pressure – High blood pressure can impair circulation and restrict blood flow to the skin, resulting in a lackluster complexion. By promoting vasodilation (the widening of blood vessels), sauna sessions help reduce blood pressure, ensuring that nutrients and oxygen can reach your skin cells more effectively. This improved flow revitalizes your complexion, helping it look more vibrant and alive.

• Improved cholesterol levels – Cholesterol impacts more than just your heart—it also plays a role in your skin’s health by supporting the integrity of your skin barrier. Lower total cholesterol levels can lead to better overall circulation and reduced inflammation, both of which contribute to a healthier, clearer complexion.

#3 Supports Collagen Production for Youthful Skin

Collagen is like the scaffolding of your skin, holding it up to ensure firmness, smoothness, and bounce. But as we age, our natural collagen production slows, leaving us with fine lines, wrinkles, and a loss of elasticity.

An infrared sauna is a simple, soothing ritual that can support your skin’s ability to replenish this vital protein. 

The magic starts with heat. As mentioned, when you sit in a sauna, your circulation kicks into high gear and delivers a rush of oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells. But this increased blood flow doesn’t just bring a healthy glow—it nudges fibroblasts (the cells responsible for producing collagen) to step up their game. By promoting this process, sauna use can encourage your skin’s natural ability to repair and rejuvenate itself.

Infrared saunas, in particular, are effective for collagen support. Their deep-penetrating heat works at a cellular level to enhance skin rejuvenation and reduce inflammation, which can otherwise hinder collagen synthesis. Over time, regular use can improve skin tone and texture, providing natural post-recovery skin health benefits.

#4 Reduces Inflammation and Soothes Skin Conditions

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to stress and injury. But when it becomes chronic, it can wreak havoc on the skin, showing up as redness, acne, irritation, or flare-ups from conditions like¹⁰:

• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Rosacea

Saunas, particularly infrared ones, offer a gentle, holistic way to dial down this overactive response and promote a more balanced complexion. 

What makes saunas so effective is their ability to reduce stress—one of inflammation’s biggest triggers.¹¹ The enveloping warmth encourages your body to release endorphins, your natural mood boosters, and simultaneously lower cortisol levels, a stress hormone linked to inflammatory skin conditions. This calming effect can bring noticeable relief to irritated skin over time. 

The heat itself plays another key role. 

By gently warming the body, saunas help dilate blood vessels, improving circulation without overwhelming sensitive skin. This enhanced flow brings much-needed nutrients to damaged areas while flushing out cellular waste that can exacerbate irritation.⁹ For those with chronic conditions, this can lead to less intense flare-ups and a more even-toned complexion. 

Unlike creams or medications, saunas address the root causes of inflammation—stress, circulation, and toxin buildup—instead of just masking the symptoms. They also offer something many treatments can’t: a deeply relaxing, full-body experience that leaves you feeling as good as your skin looks. Learn more about using an infrared sauna for acne treatment in our blog.

#5 Boosts Hydration and Skin Barrier Health

As you sweat, your pores open up, allowing natural oils like sebum to rise to the surface. These oils work to lock in moisture, creating a protective layer that helps prevent dehydration. This natural boost to your skin’s lipid barrier improves its ability to retain water, keeping it supple and soft long after your sauna session ends. 

As touched on, the heat from the sauna also promotes  increased blood flow, delivering vital nutrients and oxygen to your skin. This nourishment not only supports cellular health but also enhances the production of ceramides—lipid molecules crucial for maintaining the integrity of your skin’s barrier. A strong skin barrier not only keeps moisture in but also protects against environmental aggressors like pollution and bacteria.

When you sweat, your body also delivers a dose of goodness to your skin. 

Sweat naturally contains antimicrobial peptides, tiny soldiers that work as a part of the immune system to fight off bacteria and fungi that may penetrate the skin. A buildup of these pathogens can disrupt the skin barrier and create infections that may cause¹²:

• Redness
• Itchiness
• Scaling
• Swelling
• Blisters

Accordingly, an infrared sauna can hydrate and fortify your skin from the inside out, leaving it radiant, healthy, and resilient.

#6 Improves Skin Tone and Reduces Hyperpigmentation

In recent years, infrared radiation has emerged as a tool to rejuvenate and increase the overall appearance of the skin. Specifically, infrared light therapy may¹³:

• Enhance collagen production – Infrared radiation stimulates dermal fibroblasts, leading to increased synthesis of collagen, a key structural protein responsible for skin elasticity and firmness. One clinical study found that collagen production increases as infrared radiation exposure increases, contributing to a smoother and more youthful appearance. 

• Boost elastin production – Infrared therapy may promote the formation of elastin, another crucial protein that helps skin maintain its elasticity. Enhanced elastin levels can improve skin texture and reduce fine wrinkles over time. 

• Refine skin texture – With consistent use, infrared therapy can improve the look of fine wrinkles, roughness, and overall texture. 

• Target sun-aged skin – Infrared treatments can noticeably improve fine lines, skin tone, and texture, but they’re less effective for fading dark spots and pigmentation. For the best results, this type of therapy works well alongside other treatments specifically designed for pigmentation concerns.

Experience the Skin Benefits of Infrared Saunas with Lifepro

Incorporating regular infrared sauna sessions into your recovery routine can help soothe your mind and body—from the outside in. Infrared light has been shown to improve circulation, enhance the production of valuable proteins, and boost the skin’s natural complexion.

Whether you're looking to detoxify your skin or simply improve your skin tone, Lifepro’s Rejuvacure™ Far Infrared Sauna can transform your wellness routine. Equipped with advanced far-infrared and chromotherapy lighting, you can detoxify, rejuvenate, and recharge easily in one session. The sauna also features a Bluetooth sound system for a truly immersive experience. For those seeking convenience, explore our sauna blankets and other personal saunas, perfect for achieving similar infrared sauna benefits at home. 

Relish in all the infrared sauna skin benefits today by shopping Lifepro.

Sources:

1. Cleveland Clinic. Sweat. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/sweat
2. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Excretion of Ni, Pb, Cu, As, and Hg in Sweat under Two Sweating Conditions. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8998800/
3. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Nickel: Human Health and Environmental Toxicology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7037090/
4. EPA. What are some of the health effects of lead? https://www.epa.gov/lead/what-are-some-health-effects-lead
5. ATSDR. ToxFAQs™ for Copper. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/Tsp/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=205&toxid=37
6. Cleveland Clinic. Mercury Poisoning. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23420-mercury-poisoning
7. WHO. Arsenic. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/arsenic
8. Harvard Health Publishing. Sauna Health Benefits: Are saunas healthy or harmful?. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/saunas-and-your-health
9. Healthline. Are Saunas Good for You? Understanding the Benefits. https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/are-saunas-good-for-you
10. PubMed. Brain-Skin Connection: Stress, Inflammation and Skin Aging. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4082169/
11. Cleveland Clinic. Get Your Sweat On: The Benefits of a Sauna. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sauna-benefits
12. Healthline. Skin Infection.  https://www.healthline.com/health/skin-infection
13. Effects of Infrared Radiation on Skin Photo-Aging and Pigmentation. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2687728/