As you enjoy your infrared sauna, you may wonder whether wiping away sweat is a good idea or if it would hinder the sauna health benefits of sweating. To answer this question, let's explore the science behind sweating and sauna etiquette.
The Science of Sweating in Infrared Saunas
Sweating is a natural process that helps to regulate body temperature and eliminate toxins from the body. It is an essential component of the sauna experience, as sweating allows our bodies to cool down and release accumulated waste products.
A study published by the Scientific World Journal found that sweating during a sauna session can lead to a significant increase in the excretion of important minerals and other electrolytes, which contributes to the feeling of exhaustion after a sauna.
Additionally, the minerals lost during a sauna can heavily affect the rehydration process and ultimately how well one recovers afterwards.
However, there are more than just minerals and electrolytes expelled during a sauna. Heavy metals and toxins are also excreted through the skin, as well as the body's other detoxification pathways.
This is because far-infrared light targets the fat cells that protect the body by storing heavy metals and toxins. When the body is exposed to a large amount of toxins that it cannot process through the liver and kidneys, it stores them in fat so as not to impair bodily functions.
By using an infrared sauna the body has additional pathways to excrete these toxins ie. sweating through the skin.
Those with a high toxic load or an impaired function of the usual detoxification pathways can benefit further from the use of infrared saunas for detoxification.
Let's take a look at some of the pros and cons of wiping sweat off during your sauna session.
Should You Wipe Sweat in Sauna: To Wipe or Not to Wipe?
While wiping away sweat buildup may seem like a natural reaction to feeling sweaty and uncomfortable, the literature suggests that doing so during a sauna mostly depends on personal preference and subjective experiences.
For example, if you suffer from skin conditions then wiping the sweat off during the session will be a no-brainer. Whereas, if you prefer the feeling of beading sweat on your skin, leaving it as "nature-intended" is a likely go-ahead.
Here are some considerations to think of before reaching for that towel:
- Interrupting the cooling process: Sweating profusely is a crucial mechanism for regulating body temperature during a sauna. When we wipe away sweat, we may inadvertently interfere with the body's natural cooling process, however, it is unsure if this is a good or bad thing. More clinical studies are needed to understand if wiping sweat off the body causes the body to sweat more or less, and fundamentally its impact on the experience.
- Interrupting detoxification: As mentioned earlier, sweating is an essential part of the detoxification process. By wiping away sweat, we may be removing some of the toxins and heavy metals that our bodies are eliminating through the skin. By doing so, sensitive skin can benefit from less irritation due to sweat, and it may also reduce the chance of toxins being reabsorbed.
- Sauna etiquette: Extreme heat from a traditional sauna, or infrared, will cause you to sweat profusely. If you are using a public sauna at a gym or spa, it is good etiquette to be hygienic and reduce the amount of bodily fluids left in the sauna.
So, should you wipe the sweat off your body during an infrared sauna session? Yes, we believe so and here's why:
- Not only is it hygienic, but we believe that by wiping the sweat off one's skin during a sauna, one also removes any built-up toxins excreted from the skin.
- You could also draw the conclusion that wiping the sweat from your skin will make your body continually need to thermoregulate more in order to cool itself down, possibly leading to more sweating than you would have otherwise.
Remember, it is not about how hot your sauna is, but how high your body temperature is. Any tip to increase or maintain an elevated core temperature will be better for your overall wellness.
Let's take a closer look at what toxins you sweat out during a sauna.