Is Sauna Good For Acne?
Are you troubled by stubborn acne that just won’t go away? Acne can be frustrating and affect your confidence. But what if there’s a surprising solution? Discover whether sauna sessions could be the remedy you’ve been searching for.
What is acne?
Harvard Medical School explains that acne isn’t just a simple skin problem. It’s a common condition caused by inflammation of hair follicles and sebaceous glands.
Among the many types of acne, there are six primary ones, including:
- Whiteheads: Small, white bumps under the skin.
- Blackheads: Dark bumps on the skin’s surface due to oxidation.
- Papules: Small, pink bumps that can be tender.
- Pustules or pimples: Red bumps with white or yellow pus.
- Nodules: Large, painful bumps deep within the skin.
- Severe nodular acne (cystic acne): Deep, painful bumps filled with pus, which can cause scars if not treated.
Acne can severely impact quality of life by causing individuals to feel unattractive, embarrassed, or self-conscious, as indicated by a research study.
Fortunately, there is a cure for acne; several effective methods can help manage its symptoms. First, consult with your doctor before starting any treatment.
Topical medications are commonly used to directly target the skin. These include retinoids like tretinoin and adapalene, which prevent blockages in hair follicles and reduce the severity of acne.
Antibiotics such as clindamycin and erythromycin, often combined with benzoyl peroxide, are effective in killing bacteria and reducing inflammation.
Additionally, azelaic acid and salicylic acid are utilized to manage acne by combating skin bacteria and preventing pore blockage.
If you’re worried about the negative effects of long-term medication used to treat acne, a sauna session might help alleviate your acne.
Is Sauna Good For Acne?
Research indicates that regular sauna sessions could benefit skin health, including those prone to acne. A study analyzed 41 healthy adults, comparing those with regular sauna exposure to controls.
Results showed improved skin hydration, faster recovery from moisture loss and pH changes post-sauna, and enhanced epidermal barrier function.
Volunteers exhibited reduced skin sebum on foreheads and improved skin pH stability, suggesting sauna’s protective effect on skin physiology, potentially beneficial for acne management.
Other acne treatments
Aloe vera
Aloe vera gel, when combined with tretnoin cream, showed better results in treating acne compared to using tretnoin alone. The combination reduced both non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne lesions more effectively. It was also gentler on the skin, causing less severe redness.
This suggests that Aloe vera could be a beneficial addition to acne treatments, helping to improve results and reduce side effects. You
Green tea extract
Green tea extract (GTE) has been studied for its potential to treat acne because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
A review of five clinical trials with 247 participants found that GTE significantly reduced the number of inflamed acne spots compared to those who did not use it.
This effect was most noticeable when GTE was applied directly to the skin, while taking GTE orally showed little effect.
The studies also found that GTE did not significantly reduce non-inflamed acne spots overall. However, applying GTE topically did help reduce these types of spots, whereas oral intake showed no improvement.
Benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is a useful option for treating acne instead of antibiotics, which bacteria are becoming resistant to worldwide.
It works well at strengths between 2.5% and 10%, but higher amounts can sometimes irritate the skin. Combining BPO with retinoids, antibiotics, or certain other treatments can make it even more effective without causing resistance in bacteria.
Doctors often recommend these combinations as the first choice for treating mild to moderate acne because they work well and are generally well-tolerated.
Honey and cinnamon
Honey and cinnamon are natural options for treating acne. Honey acts like an antibiotic, fighting bacteria that cause acne and reducing redness. It creates an unfriendly environment for bacteria to grow.
Cinnamon, particularly its extract, also fights bacteria and reduces inflammation. When used together, honey and cinnamon have a combined effect that may be more effective against acne-causing bacteria.
This natural duo shows promise as a gentle yet potent treatment for acne, offering an alternative to conventional therapies that may lead to antibiotic resistance.
