Heat and Skin
There is a common belief that heat is not a friend to healthy glowing skin. It is true that skin must be protected from the sun. The reason is not the heat, it is the spectrum of light that is absorbed from the sun. When absorbing sunlight the skin is absorbing the visible and invisible light spectrums.
The Light Spectrums of the Sun
The heat absorbed by the sun is different from the light. How much heat an individual can tolerate from the sun is an individual choice. Some like it hot as they say, while others find the heat of the sun to be unbearable. The danger of absorbing sunlight is the damage sone by the light not the heat. For those that enjoy the heat of the sun on beaches, at pools, or just sunbathing in a park or yard, protection is necessary. Today, in 2022, it is understood and accepted that protection from the rays of the sun will hinder skin cancer in the future. Unprotected skin, and overexposure to the sun not only add to the chances of contracting skin cancer in the future, but it also hastens the ageing of the skin. Individuals who are sun obsessed are often plagued with wrinkled, leathery skin as they approach middle age and beyond. It is not the heat of the sun that causes the problems, it is the light spectrum. Picture the spectrum of light emitted by the sun as a rainbow of colors. Beginning on the far left is purple, this represents the harmful ultraviolet light. Sunscreens protect against the damaging effects of this spectrum, the higher the sun protection factor (SPF) the more protection the lotion offers from the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet light. Moving to the right of the ultraviolet spectrum which is represented by shades of purple from light to deep, the visible light spectrums begin. Visible light begins with the blue spectrum, it is followed by green, yellow and red. Moving to the right of the visible light spectrum the deep red fades into lighter reds, pink and light pink. Here is where the safer infrared spectrum resides, at the opposite end from the ultraviolet spectrum.
How Heat Benefits the Skin
In an August 13, 2020, article in Vogue India, author Priyanka Ghura discussed how temperatures benefit the skin with Dr. Taruna Yadav an Ayurveda expert. In the article Dr. Yadav is quoted discussing heat and skin, “Hot temperatures or heat therapy increases the blood flow in the skin, allowing oxygen and nutrients to move through blood vessels which is essential for the regrowth of damaged tissue and for the stimulation of fibroblasts.” The author wraps up the article by extrapolating the advice gleaned from her discussion with the doctor very succinctly, “On the other end of the spectrum are infrared saunas. By raising the body temperature, all the sweat helps detoxify and leads to an exceptional glow. Plus, the heat can kill acne-causing bacteria and unclog pores. “ The FIT Bodywrap System is becoming a standard treatment option in premiere spas, health clubs, and skin specialists. Infrared body-hugging saunas provide all the benefits of heat to the skin with safe light. Looking to have healthy skin with a relaxing, invigorating personalized body-hugging sauna, check for a FIT Bodywrap provider HERE.