A day spent under the sun can be fun and refreshing, but overexposure can leave your skin feeling tight, red, and painfully damaged. The worst part is that whether it’s a mild burn or a more severe case, sunburn can accelerate skin ageing, a consequence many people strive to avoid at all costs.
To prevent prolonged or even permanent skin damage, proper and prompt recovery is essential. While traditional remedies like aloe vera and hydration help, infrared sauna therapy offers a comprehensive solution to accelerate the healing process and restore the skin’s vitality.
Learn how infrared sauna therapy helps accelerate sunburn healing with our experts at Sun Stream Infrared Sauna NZ.
Understanding Sunburn and Skin Recovery
Sunburn occurs when the skin absorbs excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation, causing deep cellular damage and potentially compromising its structural integrity. The UV rays penetrate the outer layers of the skin, damaging DNA and triggering an inflammatory response. This response causes the redness, warmth, and swelling associated with sunburn.
In severe cases, the damage extends to deeper layers, resulting in blistering and peeling as the body sheds dead and compromised skin cells.
Beyond the immediate discomfort, sunburn breaks down collagen and elastin, two proteins essential for keeping skin firm and youthful.
It also increases the production of free radicals, accelerating skin ageing and increasing the risk of long-term damage such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.
The Benefits of Infrared Sauna for Skin Sunburn Recovery
Infrared saunas use infrared light to deeply penetrate the skin, stimulating biological processes that accelerate healing. This targeted heat therapy helps treat sunburn in several specific ways:
- Accelerating cell regeneration
Sunburn damage leads to the loss of healthy cells and the production of damaged ones. Infrared sauna therapy enhances mitochondrial function, increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and mitigating this damaging process.
ATP is the energy source for cells, and its increased availability speeds up the regeneration of new, healthy skin cells, helping the body replace sunburned, damaged skin cells with healthy new ones more efficiently.
- Reduction of UV-induced inflammation and oxidative stress
Infrared sauna therapy performs a dual function in reducing the inflammation, redness, and pain caused by sunburn. It stimulates the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines while reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reducing inflammation and minimises discomfort.
Additionally, infrared wavelengths encourage the production of heat shock proteins (HSPs), which help protect cells from oxidative stress and support DNA repair. This process can mitigate long-term UV damage and reduce the risk of premature skin ageing caused by sun exposure.
- Increasing microcirculation to deliver nutrients
Infrared light penetrates deep into the skin, expanding blood vessels and increasing microcirculation. This enhanced blood flow ensures that oxygen and essential nutrients such as vitamins A, C, and E reach the affected areas more efficiently, providing the skin with what it needs to repair sun damage while reducing redness and inflammation.
This improved circulation helps the skin retain moisture, reinforces the natural lipid barrier, and prevents excessive water loss. When combined with proper hydration and moisturisation post-sauna, this can reduce excessive peeling and promote faster skin recovery.
- Boosting collagen and elastin synthesis
Since sunburn accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin, restoring these proteins is crucial for maintaining skin integrity.
Infrared sauna therapy activates fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin. This stimulation helps the skin recover its elasticity and reduces the likelihood of post-sunburn wrinkles, sagging, and long-term textural changes.
Precautions When Using an Infrared Sauna for Sunburn
While infrared saunas offer potential benefits for skin repair, it’s important to use them correctly when dealing with sunburn. Here are key precautions to consider:
- Avoid High Temperatures: Excessive heat can exacerbate irritation. Start with lower temperatures and gradually increase as tolerated.
- Limit Session Duration: Keep sessions short (10-15 minutes) initially to prevent excessive dehydration and sensitivity.
- Stay Hydrated: Sunburn depletes moisture levels, so drink plenty of water before and after your sauna session.
- Moisturise Afterwards: Follow up with a hydrating, soothing lotion to replenish lost moisture and support skin recovery.
- Listen to Your Skin: If discomfort occurs, reduce the temperature or session duration accordingly.
Restore Your Skin’s Vitality with Infrared Saunas
Sunburn recovery goes beyond just soothing irritation. It requires a strategic approach to repair skin damage and prevent long-term consequences. Infrared sauna therapy offers a natural and effective method for this. And while it should not replace traditional sunburn remedies, it can serve as a valuable complement to a holistic skincare routine.For those looking to integrate infrared sauna therapy into their skincare routine, Sun Stream provides premium infrared saunas designed for home use.
Explore our range today and enjoy healthier skin now! Contact us for further inquiries.