Do Saunas Help With Acne?

Acne is a common skin condition that affects people of all ages. It is characterized by pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and inflamed red lesions on the skin. While acne is not life-threatening, it can cause emotional distress, lower self-esteem, and lead to scarring. For those suffering from acne, finding solutions to clear the skin can be a priority. Some claim that using saunas may help improve acne symptoms. But is there any truth to this? Let’s take a closer look at the proposed benefits of saunas for acne as well as the risks.

How Could Saunas Potentially Help Acne?

There are a few proposed ways that time spent in a sauna may help combat acne:

Opening Pores - The heat from a sauna causes pores to open up. This could help unclog pores and clear away impurities, oils, and dead skin cells that contribute to acne. The steam also allows deeper cleansing of pores.

Killing Bacteria - The heat generated in a sauna may help kill off P. acnes bacteria that contribute to inflammatory acne lesions. Heat is detrimental to bacteria, viruses, and other microbes.

Reducing Stress - Stress can exacerbate hormone fluctuations and inflammation, which are two contributors to acne. The relaxing heat from a sauna session may help lower stress hormones. This could lead to reduced acne breakouts.

Boosting Circulation - Improved circulation from sauna use could help carry away waste products from the skin more efficiently. Enhanced blood flow may also speed healing of existing blemishes.

Removing Toxins - Sweating provoked by the sauna causes toxins and impurities to be flushed from the skin. This may lower instances of congestion and clogged pores.

Increasing Moisture - The steam generated in the sauna can add needed hydration and moisture to the skin. Properly moisturized skin is less prone to excess oil production, which is a factor in acne breakouts.

Potential Risks of Using Saunas for Acne 

While saunas may offer some theoretical benefits for combating acne, there are also some potential downsides:

Worsening Inflammation - The hot temperatures of saunas could aggravate redness and inflammation of existing pimples. This could delay healing.

Increased Sweating - While sweating does eliminate toxins, excess sweat can also strip the skin of beneficial natural oils. This could lead to increased oil production later, clogged pores, and breakouts.

Harsh Dryness - The intense heat sucks moisture from the skin, which could leave it dry, irritated, and prone to flaking. This disturbance of the skin barrier can exacerbate acne.

Higher Bacteria Exposure - Sharing a sauna with others could expose your skin to more bacteria. Contact with benches where others have sweated could also spread microbes that propagate acne.

Causing Sensitivity - For those with sensitive skin, the high temperatures of saunas could actually trigger flare-ups of acne instead of improving it. The intensity may worsen problems.

No Impact - For some acne sufferers, saunas may have no discernible impact on acne. The heat, steam, and sweating might not make enough of a difference for stubborn cases of severe acne.

Tips for Using Saunas to Help Acne

If you want to test whether saunas could help your acne, keep these tips in mind:

- Start with short 5-10 sessions to gauge effects on skin. Overdoing it initially may worsen problems.

- Allow time after saunas for skin to cool and restore moisture balance. Apply a hydrating moisturizer post-sauna.

- Wash skin with a gentle cleanser after saunas to remove sweat and grime without irritation.

- Use towels or sheets as barriers between skin and sauna surfaces to avoid bacteria transmission. 

- Avoid rubbing or picking at skin while in the heated sauna to prevent spreading infection.

- Shower and wash skin thoroughly before sauna use to maximize detoxification effects of sweating.

- Stay hydrated pre and post-sauna to counteract drying effects and flush toxins fully.

- If acne worsens, reduce frequency of use or discontinue sauna sessions. Do not force it if skin reacts poorly.

The Verdict

Research has not conclusively proven that saunas can cure, treat, or prevent acne breakouts. But some individuals do report noticing improvements from regular sauna use. It is possible the heat, flushing of toxins, and antimicrobial effects may help. However, saunas come with risks as well. Ultimately, the effects of saunas on acne seem dependent on the individual. Not everyone will experience benefits. If you proceed cautiously and listen to your skin, testing out a sauna regimen may be worthwhile. Just be prepared to stop if increased irritation occurs. While not guaranteed to improve acne, saunas remain an appealing option given the relaxation and other health benefits they can provide.