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Mikrodermabrazja kontra sauna - Która metoda pielęgnacji skóry jest lepsza?
My Skin Was Softer and Clearer
During colder months, my skin tends to get extremely dry, especially the areas around my face, neck, elbows, and hands. I was nervous to use the sauna at first because I thought sitting in a hot room would dry my skin out even more.
To my surprise, after using the sauna, my skin felt less dry, softer, and more hydrated. I left each session feeling warmed from the inside out, and my skin felt full and plump. I noticed that some acne on my face—particularly around my temples and forehead—had lightly cleared. Larger breakouts on my chin shrank in size.
Eric Ascher, DO, a family medicine physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, told Verywell that saunas help to open up pores, allowing them to expel toxins and waste that can lead to blemishes.
Mark Fierstein, MD, clinical assistant professor in the department of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, added that the dry heat from the sauna increases blood flow to the skin, which can improve conditions like psoriasis.
"This can make the skin firmer and more elastic, which makes the skin look better,” Fierstein told Verywell.
A Word From Verywell
It is important to take all of the necessary precautions to stay safe when you use a sauna. Although it has overall health benefits, don’t use a sauna as an alternative to any standard medical treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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What Infections Could Develop From The Sauna?
A few things are known to come from saunas and that you should be mindful of. None of them are life-threatening, and if you follow sauna etiquette, there are very slim chances of these happening to you. There is a chance of the following infections: a yeast infection on the skin, a fungal infection, impetigo, and a few other bacterial infections that are less common but still possible.
Are Steam Saunas More Conducive to the Spread of Bacteria?
Steam saunas do not get as hot as traditional saunas, so it is easier for bacteria to thrive in these conditions. You should always go to a steam sauna that practices proper cleaning protocols. This may be more of a risk. The steam rooms’ tiles do not have any antibacterial properties like the wood used in a traditional sauna.
Are Infrared Saunas More Conducive to the Spread of Bacteria?
Infrared saunas don’t have all the humidity floating around in the air, so this important ingredient for bacteria to thrive is thankfully missing. Without all that damp moisture that a steam sauna has, bacteria and mold are both less likely to grow. That said, people are still sweating a lot, and leaving their own fluids behind. So, while the likelihood of bacteria or germs being present in an infrared sauna is lower, it’s still not zero.
I Felt More Calm Than Usual
Despite being in such a hot room and sweating profusely, I felt extremely relaxed and calm during each sauna session. Those feelings continued even after I left the sauna. On multiple occasions during my sauna use, I was able to sit in silence and just focus on my breathing.
There’s a reason why people feel relaxed and calm after using a sauna, Mikhael said. It’s because as the body and muscles loosen up, heart rate and blood pressure go down.
Hydration Tip
I found I had to drink more water than usual because of how much I sweat in the sauna—at least 2 glasses more than usual each day. Because you can lose up to a pint of water from your body after a sauna session, experts say you should drink at least 2 to 4 glasses of water after you step out.
Types of Saunas
Sauna bathing is known as whole-body thermotherapy or heat therapy. It is used in different forms in different parts of the world.
What Is Thermotherapy?
Thermotherapy, or "heat therapy," uses heat to treat symptoms.
Throughout time, saunas have been used for hygiene, health, social, and spiritual purposes. There are a couple of different types of saunas.
Modern-Day Sauna
The modern-day sauna follows the traditional Finnish-style sauna. These saunas have dry air with humidity ranging from 10% to 20%.
There are increased periods of humidity, where the temperature ranges between 176 and a maximum of 212 degrees. Other styles include the Turkish-style Hammam and Russian Banya.
Infrared Sauna
The infrared sauna is a dry heat sauna. It has a temperature range between 113 and 140 degrees.
Different types of saunas can be distinguished by their level of humidity, heating source, and construction style.
