An infrared sauna uses light to generate heat, which the body absorbs directly, unlike traditional saunas that heat the surrounding air. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by an accelerated skin cell life cycle. This article explores the scientific rationale and current evidence regarding infrared sauna use as a complementary approach for managing psoriasis symptoms.
Understanding Psoriasis and Infrared Technology
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease that manifests on the skin as thick, red, or discolored patches covered with silvery scales. The condition is rooted in an overactive immune response that mistakenly triggers the rapid growth of skin cells. While the skin cell turnover cycle normally takes about a month, in psoriasis, this process is accelerated to only three to four days. This rapid accumulation of cells forms the characteristic plaques on the skin’s surface.
Infrared saunas utilize light within the infrared spectrum to create therapeutic heat. Infrared heat penetrates the body directly, unlike the traditional approach of heating the air. The infrared spectrum is divided into three categories based on wavelength and depth of penetration: near-infrared (NIR), mid-infrared (MIR), and far-infrared (FIR). NIR wavelengths penetrate the skin’s surface, associated with skin renewal. MIR light reaches deeper into soft tissues where inflammation occurs, and FIR light penetrates the deepest, up to 1.5 inches, to target muscles and internal structures.
The Biological Mechanism of Infrared Light on Skin Health
The benefits of infrared light are rooted in photobiomodulation, where light energy influences cellular activity. A significant effect occurs within the mitochondria, where infrared light is absorbed by the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase. This absorption boosts the efficiency of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, increasing the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the primary energy source for cellular repair and function, supporting the body’s natural healing processes.
Infrared light exposure promotes vasodilation, the widening of blood vessels, by stimulating the release of nitric oxide. This improved circulation delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the affected skin and helps flush out metabolic waste products. Increased blood flow may help reduce localized swelling and redness associated with chronic inflammation. Regular infrared exposure has also been associated with a reduction in systemic inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein, an indicator of inflammation throughout the body. These combined effects form the theoretical basis for managing skin health.
Clinical Evidence for Infrared Sauna Use in Psoriasis
Direct, large-scale clinical trials specifically investigating infrared saunas for managing psoriasis symptoms are currently limited. Support for this therapy remains anecdotal or extrapolated from studies on general phototherapy and inflammatory conditions. The core hypothesis is that the anti-inflammatory and cell-regenerating properties of infrared light could mitigate the scaling, itching, and plaque thickness associated with psoriasis.
Existing research provides limited data. For instance, a 2012 study compared infrared light to blue light therapy in individuals with psoriasis and observed symptomatic improvement with both types of light therapy. The therapeutic appeal stems from the light’s ability to penetrate the skin and potentially alter the gene expression involved in the inflammatory autoimmune process. Since the heat from the sauna is milder than traditional saunas, it may also be better tolerated by individuals with sensitive or inflamed skin.
Psoriasis is often aggravated by stress, and the relaxation induced by regular sauna use may help mitigate a common trigger for flare-ups. While infrared light is distinct from the ultraviolet (UV) light used in conventional phototherapy, some researchers are exploring low-level light therapy incorporating near-infrared wavelengths for recalcitrant psoriasis. Infrared saunas show theoretical promise based on their biological mechanisms but are best viewed as a complementary tool due to the lack of robust clinical evidence for this specific application.
Safety Considerations and Usage Guidelines for Psoriasis Patients
Before incorporating infrared sauna sessions, consultation with a dermatologist or physician is recommended. This ensures the therapy does not interfere with existing treatment protocols. Psoriasis treatments often include medications that can affect the body’s ability to regulate heat or increase skin sensitivity to light.
Individuals taking medications such as diuretics, beta-blockers, or certain antihistamines should exercise caution. These drugs can impair the body’s natural heat loss mechanisms and increase the risk of overheating. Patients should avoid using the sauna during severe, active flare-ups or if the skin barrier is significantly compromised. Heat may cause irritation or increased discomfort to already inflamed areas.
Start with shorter sessions, perhaps 10 to 15 minutes, at lower temperatures to gauge the skin’s reaction. Adequate hydration before, during, and after a sauna session is necessary to compensate for fluid loss through sweating. The infrared sauna should be seen as an adjunct to, rather than a replacement for, physician-prescribed psoriasis treatments.