Infrared Workouts Are Trending — But Do They Make Dark Spots Worse?

Infrared workouts are becoming increasingly popular, and it's not difficult to see why: Infrared heat can help you sweat out toxins and generate hormesis, a type of short, temporary stress that actually makes you more resilient to stress later on. (It's the definition of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.) A challenging workout (like HIIT) is one of the most efficient ways to both work up a sweat and experience hormesis. Why not fuse the two together? 

So you might see entire fitness studios aglow with red heat lights, meant to quickly warm up your muscles and stimulate cell regeneration. Fun, right? 

First, let's understand the common skin condition: Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation that typically manifests as larger patches of skin discoloration, as opposed to smaller dark spots. It tends to crop up on the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip area—also known as the "melasma mustache." It's typically triggered by sun exposure, heat, and hormonal changes (especially around pregnancy). 

Here's where things get nuanced. While UV rays are the most common factor for initial and preexisting melasma patches1, "even heat, in the absence of sun, has been known to cause a flare," board-certified dermatologist Rebecca Marcus, M.D., previously told mbg about the condition. 

Idriss agrees, which is why she recommends steering clear of infrared light if you struggle with melasma (yes, that includes saunas, trendy workout classes, and even LED devices).

Even though infrared technology is technically anti-inflammatory, "When it comes to melasma specifically, it can induce a chronic inflammatory response," Idriss explains in a recent TikTok. "That allows your blood vessels to then dilate, bringing in more blood, more heat, to your face and allowing your melanocytes to get more stimulated, and your melanoma to worsen in the process." 

Working out already heats up your body, but working out under infrared lights does so at a much quicker rate. This is good news for detoxification—but not so great for melasma-prone skin.

Now, you could argue that any type of high-intensity exercise can theoretically make melasma worse, as your body heats up when your heart rate increases. That may be true, but you can prevent those brown spots from forming by cooling your skin down post-workout (à la a hydrating face mist or gel mask). 

You can also avoid any type of heated exercise, like infrared workouts and hot yoga so as to not exacerbate the hyperpigmentation. That's not to say you can't ever book a hot yoga class ever again—just be mindful of those melasma triggers and try to cool your skin down immediately after class. 

But as we mentioned, infrared light has plenty of benefits—from stimulating hormesis to aiding detoxification to even promoting faster muscle recovery2 after exercise. If you want to take advantage of these perks, please go right ahead! One infrared workout or two won't thwart your melasma journey too much.

"I personally don't make a habit of using any sort of steam bath, sauna, or infrared light device, but every once in a while, knock yourself out," agrees Idriss.