Infrared Saunas – Sweat It Out: Detoxing for Clear Skin in a Toxic World
By Dr. Sofía Swatt, DNM, PhD
The Modern Toxic Burden
Glyphosate: Detected in 80 percent of U.S. urine samples.
PFAS “forever chemicals:” Found in almost every blood sample tested.
Industrial chemicals in newborns: More than 200 identified in umbilical-cord blood.
Contaminated drinking water: Over 158 million Americans have PFAS-tainted taps, plus lead, pesticide runoff, and more.
Our livers and kidneys work non-stop to process this load, but when they fall behind, the body pushes leftovers out through the skin. Acne, eczema, psoriasis, early wrinkles, and a chronically dull complexion are common signs that detox pathways are struggling.
Why Traditional Saunas Fall Short
Traditional saunas heat the air to 160–200 °F. That intense external heat can spike cortisol, the primary stress hormone. Elevated cortisol:
Slows Phase II liver detoxification.
Depletes glutathione, the master antioxidant.
Keeps the body in sympathetic “fight-or-flight” mode, closing down efficient toxin processing.
You still sweat, but mobilised toxins may stay in circulation longer—and some will simply resettle in tissues.
Gentle Heat, Deeper Detox
Infrared panels warm tissues directly at 110–140 °F, producing a comfortable, steady sweat while keeping cortisol lower. Benefits include:
Deeper penetration: Up to 1.5 inches below the skin, loosening metals stored in bone and fat.
Higher sweat volume at lower heat: More efficient removal of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury; measurable excretion of BPA and phthalates.
Parasympathetic activation: Rest-and-digest mode supports liver, lymph, and gut function.
Skin gains: Better circulation, reduced inflammation, and fewer oxidative-stress signals that age and inflame the skin.
Don’t Forget a Binder
Mobilising toxins is only half the job; they need to leave the body, not recirculate. Take a binder 30–60 minutes before your infrared session to trap mobilised chemicals in the gut for safe elimination.
Recommended binders:
Binder Typical Dose* Key Targets
Activated charcoal (coconut shell) 500–1000 mg Heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins
Bentonite or zeolite clay 1 teaspoon in water Metals, ammonia, mould toxins
Chlorella (broken-cell) 2–3 g Mercury, BPA, PFAS
Modified citrus pectin 5 g Lead, cadmium, radioactive elements
*Always confirm the right product and dose with your health professional.
Safe-Use Checklist
Hydrate: 500 mL water before, sip during, 500 mL after. Add electrolytes.
Session length: Start at 10–15 minutes; work up to 30–40 minutes, 3–4 times per week.
Cool-down: Shower promptly to rinse off sweat-bound toxins.
Listen to your body: Light-headedness, palpitations, or excessive fatigue mean shorten the next session.
Contra-indications: Pregnancy, uncontrolled hypertension, and certain heart conditions—get medical clearance first.
Key Takeaway
Lowering toxic load calms systemic inflammation and frees the skin to repair. Infrared sauna—paired with a quality binder, good hydration, and gradual heat exposure—offers an efficient, low-stress way to unload metals, plastics, and chemical residues. Make it a regular part of your detox plan, and let your complexion show the results.
References
Olorunsogo, D. O., et al. (2022). Glyphosate exposure in the general population: A review of epidemiological studies. Environmental Research, 204(B), 111984.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals. https://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/
Environmental Working Group (EWG). (2005). Body Burden: The Pollution in Newborns. https://www.ewg.org/research/body-burden-pollution-newborns
Andrews, D., Naidenko, O. (2019). PFAS Contamination of Drinking Water Far More Prevalent Than Previously Reported. Environmental Working Group. https://www.ewg.org
Sears, M. E., Kerr, K. J., & Bray, R. I. (2012). Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in sweat: a systematic review. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, 184745.
Genuis, S. J., Birkholz, D., Rodushkin, I., & Beesoon, S. (2011). Blood, urine, and sweat (BUS) study: Monitoring and elimination of bioaccumulated toxic elements. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 61(2), 344–357.
Genuis, S. J., Beesoon, S., & Lobo, R. A. (2012). BPA, phthalates, and other environmental toxins: Evidence for their excretion through sweat. The Scientific World Journal, 2012, 187-189.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Air pollution. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health
Park, S. Y., et al. (2020). Ambient air pollution and acne: A cross-sectional study of Korean adolescents. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 140(3), 552–555.e2.
Puri, P., et al. (2017). Impact of air pollution on skin: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 10(3), 46–51.
