Whether it is for relief from joint paint or cosmetic uses, hyaluronic acid injections have reached an all time high in use. While hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance within the body, its synthesized expression can serve to increase mobility, or temporarily plump lips, and other facial features to reduce the appearance of aging.
With an upswing in the use of hyaluronic fillers there has also been an increase in sauna users. Those using both treatments need to know if the two can be used in unison, or what precautions are necessary to take, if any at all.
Hyaluronic acid exists within the body’s joints and helps with mobility by lubricating the area to ease movement free of pain. As individuals age hyaluronic acid may decrease and cause pain in the joints for some people. Someone with osteoarthritis may choose to receive injections of hyaluronic acid (1). In fact, this treatment method is so effective that at times it is replacing cortisol shots. For both pain management and for cosmetic reasons there are an increasing number of people turning to hyaluronic acid injections.
The short answer to the question of can I sauna with hyaluronic acid fillers is simply yes, but with the caveat that it is best to avoid saunas for 48 hours before and after receiving your hyaluronic acid injections.
It is also worth noting that sauna use can improve both the appearance of skin, as well as reduce inflammation of the joints and therefore pain as its own treatment or in conjunction with other non-invasive methodologies. Furthermore, if you are using an infrared sauna with color light therapy you will also have the opportunity to increase the protein collagen, which is important for the connective tissues of the joints as well as for the beautification of the skin.
There are a few instances where hyaluronic fillers may respond negatively to the high heat of sauna. This may cause what is known in the industry as ‘migration’; however this is the exception, not the rule.
If you have been using hyaluronic acid treatments, or even if you are planning to receive hyaluronic acid treatments and you decide to do this in tandem with sauna use, there are a few precautions to take and protocol to follow to safely support both treatments for optimal benefit.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
From the cosmetic aisle of your local pharmacy, to the osteopath’s office, to the dermatologist’s waiting room, you will see the words hyaluronic acid everywhere, but what is this substance?
From the National Library of Medicine’s publication, entitled ‘Hyaluronic Acid’, this substance is described in detail in the author’s words.
“Hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring chemical, is a glycosaminoglycan polysaccharide composed of alternating residues of the monosaccharides d-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine, which form a linear polysaccharide chain. In its pure form, hyaluronic acid is the same in all organisms and is not species or tissue-specific. Therefore, hyaluronic acid theoretically should not cause an immune response.” (2)
Given that hyaluronic acid is ubiquitous in nature, it is no wonder that it has done so well as an injectable into the body. Hyaluronic acid is either used for the purposes of pain relief for those with pain in common areas such as the knees or hips, or it is used to decrease the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles, or as means of contouring certain facial features. (2)
How and When Are Hyaluronic Acid Injections Used?
- To Relieve the Pain From Osteoarthritis
- To Plump, Contour, and Diminish Wrinkles in the Face
The research article from the National Library of Medicine describes the two primary reasons why individuals would turn to hyaluronic acid injections:
To Relieve the Pain From Osteoarthritis:
“Intraarticular injections of hyaluronic acid are also widely used, especially for pain relief in patients with osteoarthritis of the knees. They have become popular as a non-surgical treatment modality, especially with the concern most clinicians have with repeating intraarticular corticosteroid injections.” (2)
To Plump, Contour, and Diminish Wrinkles in the Face
“Hyaluronic acid gel fillers are injected to restore volume lost due to age or disease, provide facial contour, and help maintain a youthful appearance. Filler injection has become one of the most commonly performed procedures in a dermatology cosmetic practice. Many different types of hyaluronic acid gel fillers differ in their hyaluronic acid concentration, particle size, cross-linking density, duration, and presence of lidocaine. High-density, large-particle fillers are recommended for deep dermal injections, while the low-density, small-particle fillers are recommended for fine lines. Hyaluronic acid filler has become popular because of its low allergic response, ease of injection, rapid recovery, reproducibility, and immediate results.” (2)
If you have decided to move forward with your hyaluronic acid treatments you should be aware of some contraindications surrounding this mostly harmless treatment.
The following is a list of approved brand names of hyaluronic acid injectables:
US Brand Name
- Durolane
- Euflexxa
- Gel-One
- Hyalgan
- Hyalgan L/L
- Monovisc
- Orthovisc
- Supartz
- Supartz FX (2)
Be Aware of Complications With Hyaluronic Acid Fillers Whether You Sauna or Not
Hyaluronic acid fillers may seem harmless on the surface given that the substance is a natural portion of human biology. However, many instances of individuals being negatively affected by hyaluronic acid injections is also on the rise.
From the National Library of Medicine this journal ‘Beware What You Inject: Complications of Injectables—Dermal Fillers’ warns of some negative side effects, and results from hyaluronic acid fillers:
“Use of dermal fillers continues to rise in popularity, and as the use of dermal fillers increases, the adverse events are also likely to increase, and it is important to be aware of all potential complications and be prepared to treat them effectively. Familiarity with prevention, recognition, and early and effective management of complications is the key to a successful and safe filler practice.” (3)
The same article recommends following these basic guidelines if you do decide to move forward with hyaluronic fillers:
Guidelines for Safely Receiving Hyaluronic Acid Injections:
- Choose the right physician
- Know your product specifics well
- Ensure safe injection techniques are used
- Seek help immediately if there are early signs of allergy or any other complications
- Make sure that you plan other cosmetic treatments (including sauna) around your injection schedule (3)
It is important to also remember that saunas are highly effective in improving joint mobility and lessening of pain due to the heat’s ability to improve circulation. Furthermore, saunas are also a great tool to improve the appearance and health of your skin.
So, before rushing off to get your hyaluronic injections, take some time to consider sauna use as an alternative for either your skin care, or for pain relief in the joints due to osteoarthritis.
If you do plan to sauna before or after receiving your hyaluronic fillers, please be sure to allow yourself a minimum of 48 hours before and after receiving your fillers.
Can You Sauna With Hyaluronic Acid Fillers?
Yes, it appears to be safe to sauna with hyaluronic fillers either in the joints or in the face provided you take some time off before or after you sauna. It is not known if the heat of the sauna may cause fillers to migrate slightly, so be sure to consult with your doctor about how your specific derma fillers interact with heat.
As long as you have the clearance from your dermatologists, or other specialists and have waited a few days since your hyaluronic injection then you should be able to sauna safely. Remember that all individuals respond to fillers and treatments differently, so do your research, listen to your body, and continue to consult with your physician especially if you notice any unusual pain or discomfort in or around the area of injection.
If you are doubting whether you would like to move forward with hyaluronic acid injections then remember that saunas can help you improve the quality of your skin, even the uptake of collagen production, and help to ease the pain from inflamed joints.
You can always choose to sauna with hyaluronic fillers in tandem provided you follow the advice of your physician and listen to your body.
Sources Cited:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/hyaluronic-acid-injection-route/description/drg-20074557
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482440/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6128162/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6128162/