Should You Use a Sauna Before or After Tanning for Best Results

If you enjoy relaxing heat and healthy-looking skin, it’s natural to wonder how sauna use and tanning should be combined. Both are popular wellness routines, but the order in which you do them can significantly affect how your skin feels and looks afterward.

Is there a right or wrong approach? Let’s walk through the basics and explain how to combine sauna sessions and tanning safely and effectively.

Understanding What a Sauna Is and Why People Use It Regularly

A sauna is a heated space, either dry or humid, designed to help the body relax, sweat, and recover. Many people notice that muscles loosen and stress fades within minutes of entering a warm sauna.

Regular sauna use is valued for:

• promoting relaxation
• easing muscle tension
• supporting circulation
• encouraging mindful downtime

Short sessions of around 10–15 minutes are often enough to feel refreshed, which is why saunas are common in spas, fitness centers, and private homes.

Understanding What Tanning Is and How It Affects the Skin

Tanning occurs when the skin darkens after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either from natural sunlight or tanning beds. While a sun-kissed glow can feel appealing, UV exposure should always be approached with care.

Excessive tanning can lead to:

• skin dryness
• irritation or burns
• long-term skin damage

The key to tanning safely is moderation, adequate protection, and proper aftercare.

Using a Sauna Before Tanning and Why It Often Works Better

Using a sauna before tanning is generally the better option. Warming the body first helps relax the skin and open pores, which may support more even UV exposure.

A brief sauna session before tanning can:

• increase blood flow
• soften the skin
• help the body feel more prepared

To stay safe, keep sauna time short, hydrate well, and allow your body to cool slightly before tanning.

Using a Sauna After Tanning and Why It Is Less Recommended

Using a sauna immediately after tanning is usually not advised. After UV exposure, the skin needs time to calm and recover rather than being exposed to additional heat.

Adding sauna heat too soon may:

• increase skin dryness
• intensify redness or sensitivity
• contribute to fatigue or discomfort

If you’ve already tanned, it’s best to postpone sauna use and give your skin a break.

Why the Order of Sauna and Tanning Makes a Real Difference

The sequence matters more than many people realize. Saunas prepare the body, while tanning places stress on the skin.

Most wellness professionals agree that:

• sauna first helps warm and relax the body
• tanning afterward is gentler on the skin

Reversing the order can increase irritation and reduce the overall benefits of both practices.

Best Way to Combine Sauna and Tanning for Healthy-Looking Skin

The most balanced approach is to move slowly and give your body time to adjust between activities.

A simple routine includes:

• a short sauna session
• a cooling-down period
• a brief tanning session
• rinsing and moisturizing afterward

When done thoughtfully, this combination supports relaxation and leaves the skin looking refreshed rather than stressed.

Important Safety Tips When Combining Sauna Sessions and Tanning

Combining heat and UV exposure requires awareness and moderation. A few basic habits can help protect both skin and overall well-being.

Key safety tips include:

• drinking water before and after sessions
• keeping all sessions short
• using sunscreen when tanning outdoors
• moisturizing skin after finishing
• stopping immediately if you feel dizzy or overheated

Listening to your body is always the most reliable guideline.

Final Thoughts on Sauna and Tanning Order for Wellness Routines

So, should you use a sauna before or after tanning? In most cases, sauna first and tanning second is the safer and more comfortable choice.

Warming the body beforehand can support even tanning, while avoiding excess heat afterward helps protect the skin. With proper hydration, timing, and care, both sauna use and tanning can fit naturally into a relaxed and balanced wellness routine.