Does sauna help hair growth? Saunas are becoming popular not only as a place to relax but also as a potential health and beauty enhancer.
Recent research suggests a possible connection between regular infrared sauna visits and improved hair quality and growth.
This article will explore whether infrared saunas, especially those acting as red light therapy, have an impact on hair follicles and promote healthier hair growth.
Saunas for healthier hair health
A sauna is a high-temperature room that uses moist or dry heat to relax and stimulate hair growth. From my experience, I can say that visiting a sauna, whether traditional saunas or infrared, improves scalp circulation and promotes hair growth, helping with sustained hair loss, especially male hair loss.
But if you have to choose which sauna to go to, I suggest choosing an infrared sauna because the risk of infrared sauna damage hair is lower than with a traditional sauna.
Infrared light sauna, by heating the body with red and infrared light, is less harmful to the hair.
Its benefits are that it acts like red light therapy and thus stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which improves hair health massively and reduces hair loss (red light therapy is used to treat hair loss).
Benefits of infrared saunas for hair health
Saunas have many health benefits on the health of hair and scalp. However, only three benefits will be described here to ensure objectivity.
Firstly, saunas increase blood flow and circulation to the scalp by causing blood vessels to dilate, which improves the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles.
A second benefit is the removal of toxins through the skin, which helps to clear pores and prevent hair loss by promoting hair growth.
The third benefit is that an infrared sauna session or red light therapy can help relax the body and relieve stress, which is known to contribute to hair loss. As an expert, I believe that reducing stress can help maintain and strengthen hair.
However, these benefits are not guaranteed and may vary depending on individual circumstances. Below are each of these benefits in detail.
Increased blood flow to the hair follicles
Saunas increase blood flow to hair follicles, which can stimulate their growth. Exposure to heat in a sauna causes vasodilation, which allows the body to dissipate excess heat and maintain an optimal temperature.
This process increases blood circulation to the scalp and hair follicles, promoting better nutrition and healthy hair growth.
Improved blood flow can also accelerate hair growth and strengthen hair follicle cells.
Infrared saunas improve the overall health of the hair and stimulate hair growth by increasing the blood flow to the hair follicles.
Detoxication
Infrared saunas have a significant impact on the health and growth of your hair by detoxifying it. Saunas induce intense sweating, which aids in the elimination of toxins from the body through the skin.
The skin plays a vital role in detoxification by excreting various toxins, metabolic waste, and other substances through sweat.
This is important because substances like heavy metals, pollutants, and metabolic waste products can harm the hair and scalp.
Regular infrared light sauna visits can cleanse scalp pores, reducing pollution and promoting hair growth. This can prevent scalp infection, especially for those with seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis.
Detoxifying the body can strengthen follicles and prevent hair loss. Infrared sauna sessions can be a beneficial addition to regular hair and scalp care, promoting hair health and beauty.
Stress reduction
Infrared saunas can help promote healthier hair by reducing stress levels.
When the body is under stress, it releases cortisol, which can have a negative effect, leading to hair weakening and hair loss.
Red light therapy relaxes muscles and reduces stress levels. Infrared sauna visits can also include meditation, which promotes mental relaxation and a better mood.
I assure you that reducing stress levels is beneficial to hair health. Lowered stress hormone levels improve blood supply to the scalp and nourish follicles of hair, resulting in stronger hair.
Regular infrared light saunas can contribute to healthy and beautiful hair by reducing stress. Infrared saunas are not only a way to relax but also an effective method of maintaining health and beauty.
Potential risks and precautions
A sauna session can have both positive and negative effects on your health, which can impact the health of your hair.
Here are a few potential risks to consider as well as appropriate precautions to take:
- Over-drying of hair and scalp: high temperatures can dry out your hair by making the hair brittle and dull. If sauna dry out your hair, use deep conditioning treatment and moisturizing hair mask, as well as scalp moisturizers to protect your hair and scalp against drying out.
- Deterioration of color-treated hair: the heat of the infrared sauna can contribute to the leaching of dye from colored hair, especially if it is not protected with special products.
- Enlarged hair loss: red light therapy may cause temporary hair loss due to stress, overheating, or other factors. It is not a serious issue, but those with hair loss problems should consult a doctor before starting sauna sessions.
- Changes in hair texture: frequent infrared sauna visits can dry out or damage your hair. To prevent this, limit visits and use a hair mask to restore hair health.
- Scalp infections: to avoid scalp infections caused by bacteria and fungi, wear headgear and wash your hair after using an infrared sauna.
Following these precautions will help minimize the potential risks that infrared sauna damage hair.
It is also important to remember that everybody is different and reactions to sauna can vary from person to person.
If you have any doubts or concerns, it is best to consult your doctor or hair care professional.
Conclusion
In conclusion, infrared sauna in the role of red light therapy is beneficial to the health of the hair and scalp. Increased blood flow to the follicles is the primary mechanism, as high temperatures stimulate the dilation of blood vessels, improving the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the hair roots.
This process significantly strengthens hair and stimulates growth.
Sauna also cleanses the scalp of toxins through the sweat glands, which keeps hair healthy by providing a favorable environment for the growth of hair.
Studies show that frequent sauna use can alleviate scalp inflammation and prevent hair loss by relaxing muscles and reducing stress levels on the scalp.
Saunas have many benefits but take precautions, like deep conditioning treatment and hair mask use. Check with a doctor before starting regular sauna sessions to ensure safety.
Topics & Questions
Here are topics and questions that help uncover the issue regarding how saunas encourage hair growth.
What does sauna do to hair?
Sauna may promote faster hair growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp, aiding in detoxification through the skin, reducing stress, and promoting relaxation, and hair moisture.
Does sauna help grow facial hair?
A sauna can improve blood flow to the facial skin and overall skin health, but it does not directly stimulate facial hair growth.
Genetics, hormonal balance, and causes of hair loss play a more significant role in facial hair growth.
Should I wrap my hair in sauna?
Wrapping your hair in a sauna is beneficial as it helps protect your hair from excessive heat and dryness.
However, be aware that wrapping hair can trap heat and moisture, leading to increased sweating and a higher risk of overheating.
To prevent overheating your scalp, select breathable materials and avoid wrapping your hair too tightly to ensure air circulation.
Is it OK to sauna everyday?
Saunas can cause health issues like changes in blood flow and blood pressure, fainting, overheating, and dehydration. Use caution to avoid any risks.
To avoid problems, take breaks, protect your hair, and ensure your body is hydrated after each sauna visit.
Do saunas promote hair growth?
Saunas promote hair growth by improving scalp blood flow, detoxifying the body, relieving stress, and moisturizing the hair.
However, hair growth depends on various factors, and saunas are not a guaranteed solution.
Do I need to wash my hair after sauna?
Wash your hair after using the sauna to remove sweat, oil, and impurities. This prevents skin irritation.
If you don’t want to wash your hair, rinse your scalp with water to cool it down and remove excess sweat.