Benefits of Sweating with a Near Infrared Sauna

Here we highlight three benefits of sweating you could receive from dry saunas.

Saunas have been around for hundreds of years with infrared saunas recently making a surge in popularity. Red light therapy, although not a traditional sauna, lends itself more to individual use versus group use, and offers many of the same potential benefits. One of those benefits includes sweating.

Sweating in response to a workout or sauna use feels rewarding as it offers an immediate sense of accomplishment. But the benefits are not only mental. There are several benefits of sweating backed by science. We review some of those benefits here to help you determine if you’d like to take advantage of these rewards with a near infrared sauna.

Aides in detoxification

Our liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract do the heavy lifting when it comes to detoxification. However, sweat (made up of mostly water along with trace amounts of minerals (such as salt), lactic acid, and urea) may also have a role in detoxification. Given the small amount of toxins that may be released in sweat, this benefit is currently debated. For instance, an article published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information states, “while sweat-induced detoxification certainly occurs, studies using sauna for detoxification purposes report more favourable findings with subjective rather than objective measures.” The article goes onto say there is evidence that induced sweating may eliminate “toxic chemicals and xenobiotics such as polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants, organochlorine pesticides, bisphenol-A (BPA), and phthalates”. These are promising statements, and we look forward to more research on this topic.

Protects you from harmful pathogens

Sweat released by your eccrine sweat glands onto our skin also contains an anti-microbial peptide, called dermcidin. Not only is it released through sweat, but the sweat helps also spread this natural antibiotic over our body. This can help protect you from harmful pathogens by killing them on contact. This sounds like our own version of a superhuman suit. Now that’s cool science!

Hydrates your skin

Have you ever seen your skin glistening after a sweat? This healthy glow gives you evidence of time well spent and often has us coming back for more. When you sweat, water helps hydrate your skin and the minerals can act as a natural exfoliator. However, be careful to not negate these benefits by letting the sweat sit on your skin for too long. Moisture wicking clothing isn’t necessary in a sauna (versus during a workout) but a clean towel and a shower after sauna use will help you avoid any irritation.

If you’re ready to get sweating, explore our near infrared light arrays and sauna enclosures.