Hold On, This Trendy Exercise Trick Might Make Dark Spots Worse

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.

"Infrared light is believed to penetrate the skin more deeply than the heat generated by traditional saunas," Liam Murphy, M.D., a functional doctor at Melbourne Functional Medicine in Australia, says regarding the perks of infrared. This deeper penetration has benefits for general skin health, but for folks with melasma, it might result in more flares. 

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 (á 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.

After all, the best type of exercise (for your skin and full body) is the one you’ll commit to; if an infrared workout is what inspires you to get up and move, then so be it. You can always snag one of these dark spot correctors to treat the discoloration after the fact. 

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