Your Beloved Steam Rooms Could Be Worsening Your Melasma

There's no easy way to put this, so I'm just going to come straight out and say it — Your beloved steam rooms could be making your melasma even worse! I know, it sucks and I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but, it's true.

I'll be the first to admit that I love a great steam session and with the influx of steam/sauna studios popping up in recent years I can only assume I can't be the only one. I mean, who wouldn't want to burn calories, rid their bodies of unwanted toxins, relieve unwanted fatigue and promote radiant, dewy skin all while lying back and relaxing with electrolyte water in hand? It's a great attraction and while I agree that most of its benefits are amazing, especially for the skin, it can worsen some skin conditions— particularly melasma. 

What is Melasma?

Melasma is an inflammatory condition that causes light to dark brown discolored patches on the skin. The patches typically occur on the face and affects 90% of women. It can be triggered by genetics, sunlight (UV rays) but more commonly by birth control or pregnancy, which is why it holds the name of being "the mask of pregnancy". 

How could steam rooms affect melasma?

The humidity of a typical steam room is always at its highest peak of 100% while the actual temperature is even higher at around 110-115 degrees. We all know that heat inflames, so what that heat is doing to your skin is awakening and increasing our internal temperature which stimulates blood and activates the melanocytes in the body, which is our melanin cells. Yes, steam can provide amazing hydration to the skin from its water content but according to Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry, steam of any kind is never recommended for those with melasma. She says "Melasma is exquisitely heat sensitive so steam rooms, hot yoga, saunas are major triggers and can worsen condition". The ultimate goal with any type of hyperpigmentation from melasma or PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) is to calm and ease as much as possible. Anything that causes an increase in the skin's temperature can worsen melasma, even something as innocent as sitting and relaxing in a hot tub or even cooking.

As an esthetician, I know how difficult melasma is to treat and control because a great number of my clients suffer from this condition. So, I agree with Dr. Henry and recommend avoiding steam rooms, hot yoga, saunas, tanning beds, and sunbathing entirely. Also, even climate heat can exacerbate melasma so please, always protect your skin from the sun with a sun hat paired with the proper SPF. Dr. Henry suggests "For patients trying to get rid of their melasma, I always recommend physical sunscreens that work by reflecting UV light instead of chemical sunscreens that work by turning UV light into melasma exacerbating heat".