Can Dry Saunas Help with Anti-Aging? — Gangnam Station Dermatology JM Jihyanghada.

As interest in health and anti-aging grows,

along with exercise, diet, and sleep,

interest in dry saunas (Finnish-style sauna)

is also increasing.

In particular, when people hear the story that

“saunas help with anti-aging,”

many wonder whether

there could also be positive effects on the skin.

Dry saunas

may have some degree of

potential benefit for anti-aging.

However,

there is limited evidence that they directly

stop skin aging,

and they have an indirect anti-aging effect

through overall health.

In other words, it is more realistic to understand

sauna’s anti-aging effects as something that may appear

indirectly through overall health rather than through the skin itself.

That is the more realistic approach!

“Why do you think

‘science’ is needed for

beauty?”

Beauty begins with the senses,

but the power to keep it safe,

maintain it for a long time,

and make it sustainable comes from science.

In other words, beauty is the result,

and science is the process that safely

creates that result.

The most important evidence related to anti-aging (longevity and disease)

When talking about saunas and anti-aging,

a frequently cited study is a large-scale study

conducted in Finland.

Depending on sauna-use frequency,

the following results were observed.

Using a sauna 4–7 times a week

→ about a 40% reduction in overall mortality

→ lower risk of cardiovascular death

In addition, as sauna-use

frequency increased,

lower risks of cardiovascular disease, hypertension,

dementia,

were reported.

Anti-aging mechanism (why might it help)

① Increase in heat shock protein (HSP)

Heat stimulus

→ activates heat shock protein

This protein helps

• repair damaged proteins

• protect mitochondrial function

• reduce oxidative stress

→ increases cellular resistance to stress,

which is the mechanism by which appropriate stress makes the body stronger

② Similar effects to cardiovascular exercise

During a sauna

• heart rate rises to 100–150 bpm

• blood vessels dilate

• blood pressure decreases

→ cardiovascular load similar to

light aerobic exercise

This is the strongest link to longevity.

③ Reduced inflammation and improved metabolism

With heat exposure,

changes such as the following are observed:

• increased nitric oxide

• improved insulin sensitivity

• reduced chronic inflammation

✔ Good points

Increased skin blood flow

Temporary glow

Increased sebum release

✔ However

There is little evidence of increased collagen

If overdone, it can increase dryness,

damage the barrier,

and worsen facial flushing

: skin anti-aging effects are limited

Be especially careful in patients with skin conditions!

In some skin conditions, sauna environments may worsen symptoms.

Rosacea

Melasma

Severe eczema

Active dermatitis

There is a possibility of acute worsening,

and after laser, radiofrequency, or ultrasound procedures,

it is safer not to use a sauna for at least 2–3 days.

May help the body,

but limited for the skin!

In summary, dry saunas are one of the lifestyle habits

that may be associated with anti-aging

from the perspective of overall health.

However, from a skin perspective,

the evidence for increased collagen is limited,

and excessive heat exposure can worsen

skin dryness or redness.

Therefore, while saunas may have

a positive effect on the body,

the skin anti-aging effect may be limited.

Gangnam Station Dermatology JM

We believe it is important to take an approach

that considers not just the skin as something

that can be solved with a single procedure,

but also skin condition, lifestyle habits,

and overall health.

Skin changes are more likely to be made

stable when lifestyle and medical care

are balanced together,

rather than relying on a single method.