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Can Saunas Help in the Treatment of Acne?

Acne is the most common skin condition affecting humans worldwide, and can be embarrassing at any age. Acne can sometimes limit social connectivity due to feelings of humiliation and shame, but worse than that, its causes may be indicative of more serious conditions. In short, no one wants to live with acne, and many individuals are looking for ways to cure the appearance of acne, as well as address the underlying causes of acne. 

The challenge in treating acne is that its causes are many. 

Despite the many causes of acne, it may be possible to treat a variety of types of acne by using a combination of treatments – including the regular use of a sauna. You may be able to clear away acne by addressing some of its root causes through both traditional and infrared saunas. 

It may surprise you how excellent a tool saunas can be in the treatment of acne, even in instances where there are underlying hormonal conditions, auto-immune diseases, or toxins buried deep within the soft tissues of the body. 

*** This article will not deal with the more severe skin condition of cystic acne, although some of the information below may address cystic acne.

What Causes Acne? 

  • Hormonal changes (adolescents/puberty, or premenstrual syndrome)
  • A buildup of toxins in the soft tissue of the body: Excessive stress on the kidneys and liver
  • Immune deficiency, or autoimmune disorders
  • Excessive oil on the surface of the skin

According to the Mayo clinic, acne is defined in this way: “Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. It causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples. Acne is most common among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages.” (1)

This definition of acne explains what is physically occurring to cause the individual pimples or appearance of acne, but in most cases, the cause of acne lies well below the layers of skin. 

During puberty it may be difficult to avoid acne altogether, however it may be possible to avoid scarring and permanent damage to skin by addressing the acne in healthful ways in the present moment as it occurs. It is doubtful that any human has ever lived a life without dealing with some form of acne at some time in their life.

For some women acne appears several days before the flow of menstruation as a result of  hormonal changes. (2)

Acne can be a sign of weakened immunity, and it may be necessary to seek professional help to address the underlying cause of acne in these cases. If there is a more serious condition affecting the immune system then it is important to work with a specialist.

Studies suggest that there are several direct pathways, or effects from the innate nervous system on the appearance of acne. Any instance of a disrupted innate immune system can possibly cause the appearance of acne. (3)

In most instances, acne typically responds well to a combination of treatments, but there are certain mechanisms elicited through sauna therapy that address this skin condition in very unique ways that can help in the reduction of the appearance of acne, as well as in the prevention of scarring.

Can Saunas Help In The Treatment of Acne?

  • Unclog the pores
  • Detoxify the body
  • Regulate the endocrine system
  • Enlist the Autonomic Nervous System
  • Improve Immunity: Heat Shock Proteins

Unplug The Pores: Clean Your Skin From The Inside Out

There is no doubt that anyone who has ever stepped out of a sauna knows how clean the skin and body feel from the inside out. The powerful sweating that occurs during a sauna session blasts the pores clean of built up oils and dirt from the inside out. Taking a sauna feels like finally getting around to power-washing the outside of your house, except that the skin is cleaned by literally pushing out any debris in each and every pore of the skin where sweat is released. (4)

Within the heat of the cabin structure the cardiovascular system engages in order to help regulate the internal temperature of the body. As humans, we use perspiration to cool the body off, and in so, fluid flows out of nearly every surface of our skin. As this occurs, pores are cleaned through the release of the sweat. This is why your post sauna cleansing protocol is so critical to the success of your sauna in terms of cleansing the skin and the removal of infected areas of the skin.

If you are living with acne and are choosing to use a sauna to help your skin achieve clarity, you must enter a shower immediately after the sauna, and thoroughly cleanse the skin with the appropriate products for your skin type. 

Detoxify the Body

One underlying issue that may cause the appearance of acne in some individuals is an overactive liver and kidneys due to heavy metal toxins, smoking, air pollution, or mold. Internal organs that are in overdrive from too many toxins within the body can cause acne to appear on the surface of the skin. 

By committing to regular sauna sessions (at least 20 minutes, 3 times per week) over the course of several months, it is possible to begin to detoxify the body through heavy perspiration, and this helps to alleviate additional stress placed upon the internal organs. (5) By addressing the built up internal toxins of the body through sauna therapy, it may be possible to reduce the appearance of acne. 

Regulate the Endocrine System

The endocrine system is a network of glands within the body that create and maintain hormonal balance. If the endocrine system is dysregulated this can cause an upsurge of acne. Naturally, as hormones are released in high concentration during puberty, there is little that a sauna can do to help mitigate this natural process, however, in adults, (menstruating women specifically) hormone imbalances can cause an upsurge in the appearance of acne. (2)

A sauna session puts a positive stress on the body called hormesis, and in so doing, works directly with the autonomic nervous system. Many endocrine imbalances like adrenal fatigue, find their roots in an imbalanced autonomic nervous system. Therefore, it may be possible to positively impact endocrine imbalances through regular sauna use. 

Improve Autonomic Nervous System Function

Similar to exercise, a sauna will initially put a healthy stress on the body, but shortly after an upcharge in cortisol is released, the body will naturally draw out of state of hypervigilance into states of deep relaxation. This is why it can be common to feel sleepy after a sauna. (2) 

For so many people alive today, getting stuck in states of sympathetic dominance (fight/flight/freeze/fawn), can be the cause of a myriad of health conditions – including acne. When the body is able to find ways to relax, energy is being directed inward toward naturally healing and recovery of the body’s systems. How often have you seen students stressed out during exam week, and also as a companion to this, a face covered in acne? Most likely you have noticed this in yourself or others. The higher the level of stress on the body, the more likely there is to be a breakout. 

It is possible to avoid many of the unpleasant appearances of acne by addressing the levels of stress in your life and body through the use of a sauna, which directly affects the autonomic nervous system.

Invite the body into states of rest and relaxation by working with the autonomic nervous system with the heat stress of a sauna, and perhaps avoid embarrassing appearances of acne. 

Improve Immunity: Heat Shock Proteins

Saunas may help improve immunity through many facets – one of which is through the production of heat shock proteins (HSPs). Proper levels of HSPs directly impact both innate and adaptive immunity. (6) 

There is a direct correlation between the presence of a positive amount of HSPs  and T-cell production. Regular sauna use of any kind will improve HSP production and therefore positively affect both the innate and adaptive immune system. 

So, if your acne is showing up because of an autoimmune disorder, or because of weakened immunity, then it can be improved by boosting the quantity of HSPs in the body.

Use a Sauna Regularly to Reduce the Appearance of Acne by Addressing Many Different Causes

There is not one course of action to take when treating acne, but you can be sure that by committing to a regular sauna routine, either traditional or infrared, you can take actionable steps to reduce the appearance of acne. Saunas address both the superficial, as well as many of the underlying causes of acne. While taking a sauna may not prevent every pimple, if you are taking saunas regularly, you are sure to notice a dramatic improvement in overall skin quality.

If you actively are dealing with acne, it is critical to take very good care of any open wounds during and after a sauna so as not spread bacteria across the surface of the skin. Have a bottle of peroxide and cotton balls on hand if you need to keep certain areas clean.

Be sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your sauna session to maintain hydration. If you are using a sauna to help address issues of acne on the face or any other part of the body, please follow the sauna cleanliness guidelines as closely as possible. Again, you may want to have peroxide on hand to apply to any areas of the skin that released pus during or directly after the sauna. 

If acne persists, please be sure to consult with a dermatologist, or other medical professional. Saunas are only one of many treatment options available to address acne in both adolescents, as well as in adults. 

If you would like to consider using color light in the treatment of acne, consider chromotherapy as well. 

If you are unsure if sauna therapy is for you, please consult with a medical professional to be sure it is safe.

Sources Cited:

  1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/symptoms-causes/syc-20368047
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5300732/
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8949596/
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6773238/
  5. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=foundmyfitness+sauna+new#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:c5b4f573,vid:RWkv9ad7zvc,st:2518

Use Light For Mood Enhancement This Winter: Infrared Sauna & Chromotherapy

The bleakness of winter can be a time for dormancy, germination, and reflection, but also for some individuals, the bleakness can over take their emotions to the point that little joy can be found. For some folks, a lack of exposure to sunlight can lead to clinical depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), but for a lot of people, they may just feel a little down during the darker and colder winter days. 

The availability of sunlight on planet earth is largely what makes it possible for life to thrive in so many diverse ways, including human life. A deficit in exposure to sunlight can be detrimental for humans. The capacity to be fully operational can affect our ability to focus on tasks and overall mood. Sleep can also be affected negatively when faced with long periods of darkness. This means that for half the year, individuals living in more northern latitudes are faced with significantly shorter days and may face a myriad of mood and brain related challenges. 

Sunlight radiates the full spectrum of seen and unseen light wavelengths, which makes replicating sunlight in artificial devices very challenging. Many lights that are sold or used in the treatment of SAD are only using one or two wavelengths from what the sun naturally produces, which is why these devices may not always be fully effective in boosting winter mood. 

If you suffer from the winter blues consider using a full spectrum infrared sauna (a sauna that provides both near, mid, and far infrared light), combined with chromotherapy (visible color light), to help mitigate the effects of short days and long nights during the winter months.

Why Choose to use an Infrared Sauna for Mood Enhancement During the Winter Months Versus a Traditional Sauna?

While both traditional steam saunas and infrared saunas may be helpful in elevating mood during the winter months, if you are suffering from lack of sunlight exposure, then you may want to consider using an infrared sauna to get some of the sun’s wavelengths that you are missing out on. 

The infrared light spectrum naturally occurs in sunlight, and can be found at its greatest potency as the sun rises and sets. Infrared light, as it occurs naturally in the sun, is very important in garnishing a healthy circadian rhythm, as well as maintaining mitochondrial health. Infrared light does not tan or burn the skin, nor is it known to be detrimental to the eyes, in fact, there is enough data to suggest that infrared light is actually important for retinal health. (1)

By using an infrared sauna during the winter months you are giving yourself a ‘light bath’. Even though the infrared light wave frequency is invisible to the human eye, it is experienced as heat. So, while it may true that during the winter months it is more difficult to get adequate light exposure from the sun, if you have an infrared sauna available to you, you can reap the benefits of the infrared spectrum of light throughout the winter months, while simultaneously receiving the benefits of heat therapy as seen in the sauna. 

A publication from the National Library of Medicine entitled, Far infrared radiation (FIR): its biological effects and medical applications’, expands upon the health benefits of infrared saunas in this statement:

“All living organisms are subjected to the natural electromagnetic radiation reaching the earth from the sun. Living organisms experience the beneficial as well as adverse effects of it at all levels, starting from sub-cellular organelles and ending with the whole body. Thermal radiation (or infrared) is a band of energy in the complete electromagnetic spectrum and it has been used effectively for millennia to treat/ease certain maladies and discomforts. Heated saunas are only one of the avenues (and perhaps the oldest) to deliver the radiation in a controlled environment and within a convenient treatment time.” (2)

The same journal goes on to elaborate on the benefits that infrared light has on mitochondrial metabolism, and therefore, the possibility of altering cellular regeneration in a very positive way. If we consider taking an infrared sauna as the opportunity to bathe in the sun’s most healthful rays then we can also imagine that during the winter months when there is a lack of sun exposure that there may be the possibility of replicating the sun in an infrared sauna without any of the harmful effects from UV light, such as a sunburn. 

Understanding An Infrared Sauna As a Light Bath:

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FIR sauna. (A, B) Comparison of FIR sauna with conventional heated sauna. (C) Cabin incorporating FIR emitting “cold” unit(s) (2)

There is no doubt that there is nothing quite like the shining sun itself, but it is possible to isolate the most healthful bandwidth of the sun’s rays in an infrared sauna and therefore potentially improve winter mood. 

How Can Color Light Therapy Help Enhance Mood in the Winter Months?

Most saunas on the market today come with color light therapy in the ceiling. The color lights can certainly set a relaxing ambiance, but what you may not know is that the color light as found in many saunas is actually designed for your health. Each color light is contained naturally in the sun’s radiance. This means that if you are not receiving enough sunlight exposure during the winter months, then you are also not receiving enough color light exposure. 

Each color light has its very own unique wavelength which allows the human eye to perceive the photons as specific colors. Dr. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D describes the color light spectrum well when she writes:

“The human eye sees color over wavelengths ranging roughly from 400 nanometers (violet) to 700 nanometers (red). Light from 400–700 nanometers (nm) is called visible light, or the visible spectrum because humans can see it. Light outside of this range may be visible to other organisms but cannot be perceived by the human eye.” (3)

Most individuals who are deficient in sunlight are not only missing the Ultra Violet (UV) light spectrum that occurs at shorter wavelengths than 400 Nanometers, but are also missing out on the benefits of exposure to the color light spectrum as well. Most devices used in the treatment of SAD do not include the color light spectrum. 

Color light is important not only for mood stability, but can also be used in wound healing, protein repair and much more as seen in Chromotherapy. 

Here is a basic breakdown of the wavelengths of color light as measured in nanometers:

  • Violet: 380–450 nm 
  • Blue: 450–495 nm
  • Green: 495–570 nm
  • Yellow: 570–590 nm
  • Orange: 590–620 nm
  • Red: 620–750 nm (3)

If you are looking to boost your mood during the winter months it will be important to also include exposure to color light as well as other light frequencies. 

The pineal gland has photoreceptors that pick up wavelengths from the color light spectrum that directly affect protein and hormone production that are responsible for the maintenance of mood stability. (4) During the winter months, if individuals are not getting enough sunlight, they will need to make sure that in order to regulate mood that they have access to the color light spectrum as often as possible(at least 3-7 days per week).

Many traditional saunas also come with color light therapy, so it is definitely worthwhile to turn your chromotherapy on and bask in the full color light spectrum during your sauna session even if you are not able to absorb the infrared light spectrum.

Even if you Cannot Sunbathe this Winter; then Consider an Infrared Sauna Bath Instead

When we consider sunlight exposure, we can forget the many spectrums of sun rays. By taking an infrared sauna it is possible to eliminate the potentially harmful effects of the sun, such as skin damage that is caused by UV light bandwidth, and just bask in the glow of color light and infrared light. The cabin structures of a full spectrum infrared sauna include wavelengths from 400 nanometers up to 1200 nanometers. Human bodies absorb light waves and by sitting in an enclosed structure that surrounds you in positive light frequency, both visible and invisible you are in effect giving your body and brain the light exposure it needs during the winter month. 

If you are suffering from non-clinical winter blues, consider taking an infrared sauna to help replicate the sun exposure that you are missing. If you are experiencing suicidal ideation or extreme depression in mood, get help immediately. Infrared saunas are not a substitute for medical attention. 

If you are looking to get some of the sun rays in the darkest days of winter without harming your eyes or skin, consider an infrared sauna several times a week!

If you have suicidal ideation you can get help by dialing 988 in Canada or the USA:

  • The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/) is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress It provides Spanish-speaking counselors, as well as options for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. It is only available in the United States. A 24-hour online chat service is also available. 
  • The Canadian 988 is the suicide crisis helpline. It can be reached 24/7 by call or text in both English or French. 

Sources Cited:

  1. https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/using-light-sunlight-blue-light-and-red-light-to-optimize-health
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3699878/
  3. https://www.thoughtco.com/understand-the-visible-spectrum-608329
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3398033/
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7916252/ 

Boost Your Mood This Winter With Regular Sauna Use

The long winter nights coupled with shorter days can have negative effects on mood and mental health. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or winter depression, is not a condition that is isolated to those living in the far north, but rather, can impact anyone living in areas where light exposure is limited during the winter months. Even though your mood throughout the winter may not be classified as clinical, it is probably likely that it is affected by the lack of light exposure, time spent outdoors, and colder temperatures. 

Using a sauna during the winter months may be a perfect antidote to the mid-winter blues. This is particularly true if you are able to use a sauna (either traditional or infrared) that also comes with color light therapy. 

During the colder months of the year, a sauna can help replace some of the outdoor exercise that you may be missing out on, warm the body up, and expose the eyes to the full color light spectrum with chromotherapy.

Saunas, particularly infrared saunas, can be excellent for anyone living with SAD, but also for anyone who needs an extra boost to their mood during the winter months. Nothing can replace exposure to natural light, however, it is possible to find alternatives and activities that may enhance your mood and overall well-being during the darker months of the year. 

Why is Light From the Sun Important for Mood?

Sunlight affects human physiology in a multitude of ways, and it is necessary in order for the body to function properly. Moreover, exposure to sunlight directly affects mood. Where there is a lack of sunlight there is also, in general, a lack of mood stability or the ability to experience joy. Given that life on earth oscillates diurnally between day and night, it is clear that humans need both sunlight as well as periods of darkness for rest and sleep. So what happens to individuals who live further away from the equator and experience a substantial lack of exposure to sunlight during the winter months? 

For some highly sensitive individuals, lack of sufficient sun exposure during the winter months can cause what is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). For many others, the darker days impact mood in a negative way.

Exposure to enough sunlight helps to establish a healthy circadian rhythm, or sleep/ wake cycle. (1) Getting enough quality sleep can determine not only the mood of an individual, but also overall health.

Sunlight helps to modulate the availability of neurotransmitters like serotonin. If serotonin uptake is not regulated through exposure to sunlight, then the body will not be able to produce enough melatonin in order for sound sleep to occur. Serotonin is a precursor to melatonin, so, if during the long nights of winter individuals are not able to get outside and receive the wavelengths of light from the sun, there will be a lack of serotonin, and consequently, melatonin. (1)

Sunlight contains many variations of light wavelengths which can prove to be very difficult to mimic in artificial ways. If you do live further away from the equator and accessing sufficient light during the winter months of the year is an issue, then it is of paramount importance for your health to find alternative methods to stabilize mood, circadian rhythms, and overall health. 

For individuals living with the diagnosis of SAD, it is important to work with a medical professional directly, as this is a serious condition. For those simply living with the winter blues, then you may want to consider using a sauna regularly, perhaps even daily, to help mitigate the loss of direct sunlight exposure during the winter months. 

How Can Saunas Help Improve Mood During the Winter Months?

  • Dopamine & Norepinephrine Production
  • Enhanced Immunity
  • Cardiovascular Engagement
  • Improved Sleep
  • Detoxification

Rather than providing a substitute for exposure to natural sunlight during the winter months, saunas can provide an alternative tool to boost mood and help regulate the sleep wake cycle. Nothing can ever replace the sun, but there are a few things we can do to help mitigate a lack of sun exposure – one of these alternatives is the regular use of saunas.

While lengthening the amount of sunlight in the day may not be possible, getting into the sauna 3-7 times per week may very likely improve your overall mood. The mechanism enlisted from the body during heat exposure releases a cocktail of ‘feel good’ hormones that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy during the coldest months of the year. Plus, the benefits to physical health are almost immeasurable.

Dopamine & Norepinephrine Production

The use of a sauna – either a traditional steam sauna or an infrared sauna – creates heat stress on the body. In reaction to this external signal of heat, the adrenal glands produce dopamine, which is a precursor to norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is both a neurotransmitter as well as a hormone. (3) Invoking norepinephrine during a sauna has a direct relationship to the body’s ability to let in more light photons. (3)

This means that if you are able to start your day, even with a short sauna, and therefore isolated heated stress, you will be activating the release of norepinephrine, which is a part of the autonomic nervous system. This activation of the autonomic nervous system allows the eyes to dilate in response to the environment in order to let in more light. So, if you are in a light deficit during the winter months, you may want to consider going outside immediately after your sauna while you are still experiencing a dopamine high from the heat stress, this will allow your eyes to absorb significantly more light into the body. (3)

Enhance Immunity

If you are already experiencing the mid-winter blues, getting sick with the common cold will certainly be a downer. It is possible to improve adaptive immunity through regular sauna use and protect yourself against a winter cold or flu. Individuals living in good health are less likely to feel depressed. Though, it is not possible to magically make the sun shine for longer periods of time during the winter, it may be possible to boost immunity in an actionable way by taking a sauna. 

After just one sauna session, white cell count was markedly increased during a study performed on athletes in Finland:

“Changes in the white blood cell profile suggest a faster mobilization of cells in the first line of immune defense in athletes compared to untrained subjects after a sauna bathing session…Sauna bathing could be recommended for athletes as a means of enhancing immunological defense.” (4)

Saunas improve adaptive immunity in many other ways as well, and may be considered as tools in the prevention of the common cold. (5)

This may be why in Finland, a place that faces among the harshest winters in the world, there is on average one sauna per household across the nation! (5)

To help improve your mood this winter, consider reducing the likelihood of catching the common cold with regular sauna use. (This should include at least 3 times per 20 minutes.)

Cardiovascular Engagement

Sitting in a sauna for 20 minutes mimics many of the effects of moderate exercise on the body. This is particularly true of the cardiovascular system. Exposure to heat stress induces the temperature regulation system of the body, which means that heart rate is elevated in order to engage the sweating mechanism. As the body cools itself through the release of sweat, it is also activating the entirety of the cardiovascular system in much the same way it would during a jog, bike ride, or during swimming. 

If the winter climate is preventing you from engaging in some of your normal exercise protocols, then consider including sauna use as a substitute for your cardiovascular exercise if the icy streets and sidewalks are keeping you inside. 

All of the endorphins released during cardiovascular exercise are sure to improve your mood!

Improve Sleep

Among many reasons why mood may decrease during the winter months is that a lack of sunlight can hamper the circadian rhythm and make it more difficult to fall asleep. (5)

Although saunas cannot replace sunlight exposure, it can be helpful to get into a sauna for a few minutes before sleep in order to elevate the body temperature. After a relaxing shower, the body’s internal temperature will naturally begin to decrease. In order for sleep to occur, the body’s internal temperature needs to drop by 1 or 2 degrees. (5)

Exiting the sauna before bed will mimic the drop in body temperature and may help you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep. Mood is most definitely related to how well an individual is able to sleep on a regular basis, by improving the quality of sleep, mood is also improved. 

Detoxification

While the process of detoxification during a sauna may not directly link to the improvement of mood, having a purpose and reaching your goals does. As an additional means to improve winter blues, consider taking on the project of your health. Perhaps this winter is the year you commit to getting in the sauna 4 times per week to assist your system in purging built up toxins. Knowing the health benefits associated with detoxification via the sauna may help to give you a sense of purpose during the dark days of the winter. You will step into spring feeling clean and fresh from the inside out!

Sauna Bathing is Not a Substitute for Sun Bathing, but it May Help Boost Your Winter Mood

Nothing can ever replace natural sunlight and the long days of summer, however, there are actionable steps each of us can take during the winter months to improve mood, especially for those living in northerly climates where sunlight exposure is very minimal. 

Saunas may help improve your mood by:

  • Quite literally opening your eyes (through dilation of your pupils) to absorb more sunlight through the release of norepinephrine
  • Invoking positive feel good hormones associated with cardiovascular exercise
  • Improving sleep quality
  • Enhancing immunity
  • The process of detoxification

When the sun isn’t shining it doesn’t mean you have to stop feeling good, so consider a natural mood booster this winter by getting into your sauna for a minimum of 3-7 times per week!

(Always consult with a medical professional before engaging in regular sauna use.)

Sources Cited:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6751071/
  2. https://atune.com.au/can-infrared-saunas-improve-your-mental-health
  3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22610-norepinephrine-noradrenaline
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3916915/
  5. huberman
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6360547/