The list of benefits of infrared saunas continues to grow as more people look to holistic approaches to improving recovery, skin health, weight loss, muscle repair, mental health and immunity.

The immune system is affected, and can be improved by, the amount of light exposure we receive on the body, both from natural sunlight and from tools like infrared saunas and red light therapy devices.

Auto-immune conditions affect a wide percentage of the population and can be the result of the immune system being chronically activated or inflamed. Emerging science is now pointing to the use of infrared saunas and infrared sauna blankets as a means of complimenting treatment for auto-immune issues.

The links between infrared sauna use and management of stress which can contribute to auto-immune and lupus flare ups could be yet another reason to invest in regular sauna use whether in an at-home infrared sauna or sauna blanket.

What Is Auto-Immune Disease?

In short, an autoimmune disease is when the immune system begins attacking itself and fails to distinguish between healthy and damaged cells.

Stressors from the environment, food, toxins, viruses and bacteria, and physical and mental stress can cause the immune system to activate. When the immune system stays in a chronically activates state, it begins to mistake healthy cells like the skin, hair, joints and muscles.

There are more than 80 common auto-immune conditions, some of these include multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto’s Disease, Crohns Disease, Lupus, Celiac Disease, Type II Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Graves Disease, Addison Disease and many more. It is true that auto-immune flare ups can present as common skin issues like Perioral Dermatitis, Eczema and other skin rashes.

Common treatments for most Auto-immune conditions generally involve some type of pharmaceutical drug. Some people are turning to more holistic treatments like infrared saunas to compliment other treatments. It is worth noting that many of the current conventional treatments for autoimmune conditions like corticosteroids and immunosuppressants come with bad side effects.

Keep in mind, this is not medical advice, simply awareness of the potential benefits of infrared light and infrared sauna use for helping to manage auto-immune issues in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle.

What is the Science Behind Infrared Sauna Use?

The science of the benefits of infrared sauna use is approaching the mainstream. Although much of the research around the benefit of heat therapy revolves around traditional saunas, more infrared sauna specific research is emerging and being conducted.

Indeed, the medical science of the benefits of red light has been around for more than 100 years with the benefits of photo-biomodulation or the use of low level light therapy (LLLT) uncovering more and more benefits and therapeutic uses as time goes on. 

Perhaps the most intriguing and exciting is the effects that red and near/far infrared light, emitted by infrared saunas, on our mitochondria or energy powerhouses which affect so many bodily functions and essentially determine longevity.

See the best Infrared Saunas For Home in 2022

In short, by heating the body in a sauna or infrared sauna, we are creating a deliberate stress that results in an adaptive response from the body with physiological responses similar to intense exercise.

By heating the body and raising the body’s core temperature, we are taking advantage of numerous effects relating to the endocrine system, cardiovascular health improvements, growth hormone benefits, mental health benefits, weight loss and brown fat producing benefits, inflammation reduction, and many more positive health effects.

How Infrared Saunas Help Auto-Immune Issues

Because using an infrared sauna has positive implications for reducing inflammation, one of the key markers of auto-immune issues, they appear to produce conditions that may be beneficial in helping reduce auto-immunity. 

Our mitochondria are also an important piece to the health puzzle. When mitochondria are not functioning correctly to the point of developing an auto-immune conditions, the repair and growth of new mitochondria (mitochondrial biogenesis) through exposure to infrared light from and infrared sauna could be helping to reduce the prevalence of auto-immune symptoms.

People also commonly use cold exposure as a means of improving mitochondrial function, and the practice of contrast therapy, whereby you cycle through rounds of exposure to cold water then exposure to heat from a sauna, are becoming a popular recovery protocol for athletes and high performers.

We also know that heat shock proteins are produced when we deliberately expose our body to heat stress. These “Stress-induced cell protecting heat shock proteins (HSP) have been considered as a potential treatment targets for autoimmune diseases.”, according to a study. Specifically, there are clinical observations of the promising effects of heat shock protein therapy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and type I Diabetes. Heat shock proteins help to stabilize and refold damaged proteins, protect cells from stress, and modulate immune responses, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals with autoimmune conditions.

Furthermore, the use of infrared saunas can enhance detoxification by promoting sweating, which helps to eliminate toxins from the body. This process can alleviate some of the burdens on the immune system and reduce inflammation, contributing to overall better health. Regular use of an infrared sauna can also improve cardiovascular health, support weight loss, and enhance skin health, making it a versatile tool for maintaining wellness.

Incorporating infrared sauna sessions into your health regimen, along with other therapies like cold exposure and contrast therapy, can provide a comprehensive approach to managing and potentially reducing autoimmune symptoms. By leveraging the benefits of heat and light, you can support mitochondrial health, reduce inflammation, and improve your body's resilience against autoimmune challenges.

Infrared Sauna For Skin Issues

Skin issues like eczema and Perioral Dermatitis (PD) are very common health issues. These skin related conditions, along with many other common skin issues that appear as rashes, are immune driven responses and some are indeed classified and auto-immune conditions. 

There are significant links between skin dermatitis and auto-immunity, suggesting that they are closely related. Infrared saunas It is becoming increasingly clear that infrared sauna therapy can provide a wealth of benefits to those with frequent eczema breakouts. Infrared saunas for eczema and dermatitis are a much more holistic approach to healing the skin and addressing the root causes, without using medication.

Improving the skin health is a well-known benefit of infrared saunas, with the topic discussed in depth in a recent podcast with Dr. Andrew Huberman. We have also spoken more about the benefits of exposure to light and the specific benefits of sauna and heat therapy in our other articles and summarised the important information explained in the podcast.

If you are wondering whether infrared saunas help with eczema then the short answer is yes. Regular sauna use can also help control skin inflammation and is effective at reducing the itchiness of eczema, psoriasis, and other skin issues. The infrared light produce by the panels in an infrared sauna reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory chemicals in our blood.

By increasing circulation, allowing time to destress, improving the immune system and releasing heat shock proteins, infrared sauna use creates an ideal environment to reduce the severity of auto-immune conditions like eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and even acne.

Conclusion on Infrared Saunas For Auto-Immune Issues

If it wasn’t already, it should now be apparent to you that infrared saunas can help autoimmune disease by improving immune health, reducing inflammation, releasing heat shock proteins and activating detox pathways.  

Infrared saunas are a science based tool to improve skin related issues that could be linked to autoimmune or immune driven responses like acne, Perioral dermatitis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin rashes.

There is a whole gamete of infrared sauna options out there for infrared sauna at home and we have plenty of information on what to look for and how to choose the right infrared sauna for you.

As always, consult a medical professional to make sure using and infrared sauna is safe for your individual needs.

Smarter recovery for humans…