Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to re-charge and relax. The weather is cold, the temperatures are frigid and your skin‘s texture may feel dryer than usual.
I can help with that.
With it being four days into the new year, I’m sure many of you jumped on the “I’m- going-to-the-gym” bandwagon. So, if weight loss is part of your new year’s resolution, your gym membership should come with an incentive; a sauna.
If you’re gonna work that body, be sure to flex your beauty after. Believe it or not, it’s good to sweat. In fact, try to sweat your ass off as often as possible. Whether it be during a workout or in a sauna; sweat. Sweat is a pretty girl’s best friend, no matter how disgusting it is. Post workout, follow up with a protein shake.
Why sauna?
Saunas have a reputation for relaxation and skin health benefits. It allows the body to detoxify itself from chemicals and toxins we take in on a daily basis.
There are different types of saunas, indeed. Top tier saunas are the infrared options.
Skin is the bodies largest organ, and it’s exposed to harsh elements all day, everyday, no matter where we are. An important skin fact is that about 30% of toxins are removed through the pores, which is done primarily through sweating. Most toxins are stored just below the skin’s surface.
Once in a sauna, it takes about two minutes to heat up the skin. This is when the detox begins to occur. Pores open, then the sweating starts. Depending on how much heat you can withstand, stay in until you sweat profusely, but if you’re in too long, you may become dizzy, so be careful. (It’s happened to me)
Another benefit is the boosting of your heart rate. Who said you can’t do cardio and not move a muscle??? #Liars. Yes, whenever the rate of your heart beat increases, it burns calories, increasing lung capacity and can may contribute to better sleeping patterns. (The more sleep, the better.)
When in a sauna, skin heats and wants to cool itself. With the increased blood flow in the body, skin begins to receive more blood flow up to 50%. Compare this to 5-10% of normal blood flow and you can see it’s a big jump.With increased blood flow comes more oxygen and nutrients to the skin. This leaves your skin looking rejuvenated and healthy. Most sauna health benefits are tied to this increase in blood flow and overall body temperature increase.
Got acne, eczema, scrapes and cuts? Continue to read… Even if you don’t… Read it anyway…
If you suffer from any skin imperfections such as acne, eczema, and even scrapes and cuts increased blood circulation and the production of healthy blood cells can speed up the healing process. Regular sauna bathing is a good idea to aid in difficult skin conditions. Heat softens bumps, forcing them to slowly come to a head ( still refrain from picking it).
Overall, spending sometime in a sauna is a positive thing for the appearance of our skin. Whether it’s an infrared sauna, or one powered by steam the heat effects our skin in similar fashion by opening our pores and helping us to detoxify and supply more nutrients and oxygen to our skin.
The best time to sauna is after a good workout. If you’re using a public sauna, I’d suggest stripping all the way naked, but wrap yourself in a towel at least and keep your undies on. If it’s a personal sauna, go all the way bare, and use a towel for laying; the wood can get really hot. Stay in for a minimum of 20 minutes, making sure not to exceed 40 minutes for maximum benefit. I like to sauna 3-4 days a week.
Post-sauna solutions
When you step out of the sauna, make sure to cleanse and moisturize your skin. This keeps pores clear and removes harmful bacteria.
- Body:
- Use a gentle body cleanser; whether gel or bar soap.
- Follow your cleanser with a body moisturizer for continued hydration, softening and if need be, healing.
- Face:
- Use a cleanser to remove impurities (such as bacteria) and excess oil. If you have drier skin or a combination complexion,use a targeted product that is appropriate for your skin type. It should gently exfoliate the skin, kill bacteria and controls oiliness.
- Apply moisturizer.
Additional safety tips
Here are a few tips to keep you safe when using a sauna:
- Drink plenty of water before entering a sauna as well as after to prevent dehydration from sweating.
- Skip the sauna if you’re sick.
- Avoid alcohol right before, during and after a sauna session. It has a dehydrating effect and can cause your body to overheat.
- Shower after exercise, before you enter the sauna. That’s because sauna heat can trigger yeast growth on warm, sweaty, oily skin.
- Stay away from saunas if you have sensitive skin or certain skin conditions. Because saunas dry out the skin, they exacerbate eczema and atopic dermatitis. Also, saunas aggravate rosacea, because the heat dilates blood vessels.
- Refrain from sauna use if you’re pregnant.
colourgirls 