When you blow dry your hair or use an infrared sauna, you can cause heat damage to your skin. Here are some steps dermatologists recommend to protect yourself.
Most people know that there are many factors to consider when protecting your skin, and it can be frustrating. Like the sun, cold weather, and cell phones. I recently discovered that there is a completely different factor that can wreak havoc on your face: heat.
I know, I know—I hear the “oooh” sound. But activities like sitting in an infrared sauna or blasting yourself with hot air from a hair dryer can lead to a host of less-than-ideal skin conditions on their own, according to dermatologists. “While UV rays are more damaging, infrared rays can also cause damage to the skin over time,” says Kaveri Korgavkar, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. It’s important to note, though, that regular sunscreen won’t do the trick, she says, so you’ll want something specifically formulated to protect against infrared rays, like SkinMedica Total Defense + Repair ($68). “Heat from a hair dryer or other sources can also damage the skin,” she explains. “First, some hair dryers emit infrared energy. Plus, the heat itself can damage the skin by causing oxidative stress, which can lead to conditions like melasma.” According to her, the condition is more common in people with darker skin tones and can be treated with regular use of an antioxidant serum.
“Extreme heat can also trigger rosacea,” confirms Joshua Zeichner, MD, a New York City dermatologist. He notes that infrared saunas can be especially harmful for people prone to hyperpigmentation. “High temperatures can cause free radical damage to the skin and hyperpigmentation.”
So, what else should you do besides stay away from everything hot? “Unfortunately, sunscreen does not protect your skin from heat or infrared radiation,” says Dr. Zeichner. “To protect your skin, make sure your skin’s protective barrier is well-hydrated with a moisturizer and apply antioxidants like vitamin C to help neutralize any oxygen free radicals.” For extra protection, try a moisturizer specifically designed to protect against infrared radiation and heat waves, like Supergoop Superscreen Daily Moisturizer ($38), which has become a new favorite of mine. (It also makes a great heat rash balm, by the way.) But considering my usual morning ritual has always involved blow-drying my hair and then applying sunscreen (on top of 10+ layers of other products), it looks like I had to make some changes for the sake of my skin’s health.
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Post time: Apr-23-2025