Why do I gain weight after a sauna?

Author: Deven Johns  |  Last update: Friday, January 16, 2026

Reduces water weight You'll gain it back when you rehydrate after your sauna session. In fact, some research on how much water you sweat out in the sauna was done to recommend how much water to drink afterward. One study found it's common to lose around 1% of your body weight after a 30-minute sauna session.

Does sauna make you gain weight?

Sitting in a sauna for an hour per day may contribute to weight loss, but it is mostly due to the loss of water weight and not fat loss. When you are in a sauna, you sweat and lose fluids, leading to a temporary reduction in weight. However, as soon as you rehydrate, the weight will return.

Do you retain water after a sauna?

Sauna treatment activates the endocrine system and promotes the secretion of epinephrine [2, 24–28], ACTH, cortisol, and prolactin as the body adapts to high temperature [29]. The endocrine system is stimulated to retain more water in the body and maintain thermal equilibrium [30].

Does a sauna make you bloat?

“Saunas induce sweating and help reduce temporary fluid retention,” Faria explains. That's not all: The elevated temperature inside the sauna prompts blood vessels to expand and enhance blood circulation, known to move waste and surplus fluids from tissues (i.e., reduction of bloating and discomfort).

Does the sauna increase gains?

BULK – Sauna Use for Muscle Gain

In addition to helping you lose weight, saunas can help you bulk up with muscle. Many people think a sauna session sounds like a relaxing way to end a workout, but it's also a way to maximize the effect of your workout.

Debunking 10 Common Myths About The Sauna

Does the sauna burn fat or muscle?

The primary way that sauna therapy can help your body burn fat is by helping your post-exercise recovery. This is because sauna therapy can help with muscle relaxation and recovery after exercise, and in turn, this may make your workout routine more sustainable.

What do you gain from a sauna?

Possible health benefits
  1. Easing pain. Increased circulation may help reduce muscle soreness, improve joint movement, and ease arthritis pain.
  2. Reducing stress levels. As the heat in a sauna improves circulation, it may also promote relaxation. ...
  3. Improving cardiovascular health. ...
  4. Skin problems. ...
  5. Asthma. ...
  6. Lower risk of Alzheimer's?

Why do I swell after sauna?

This swelling is called heat edema. Heat causes the blood vessels to expand (dilate), so body fluid moves into the hands or legs by gravity. The balance of salt in the body is also a risk factor for heat edema.

Why do I feel fatter in the heat?

Heat causes blood vessels and capillaries to expand and dilate which allows more fluid to fill the spaces between tissues.

Does sauna release water weight?

When you sweat in a sauna, you lose some water, but this water weight loss is temporary. You'll gain it back when you rehydrate after your sauna session. In fact, some research on how much water you sweat out in the sauna was done to recommend how much water to drink afterward.

Should I weigh myself after the sauna?

In case of unusual physical exertion, it is better to wait a few hours before weighing yourself.

How to flush out water weight?

  1. Exercise Regularly. Daily exercise provides several health benefits, including preventing water retention. ...
  2. Drink More Water. Drinking water to reduce water weight sounds counterintuitive, but it helps. ...
  3. Manage Salt Intake. ...
  4. Cut Carbs. ...
  5. Focus on Certain Foods and Herbs. ...
  6. Try Supplements. ...
  7. Up Your Caffeine Intake.

Is sauna good for losing belly fat?

While spot reduction is not possible through exercise alone, saunas can play a supportive role in reducing overall body fat percentage, including belly fat. The increased metabolic rate and calorie burn induced by sauna therapy can contribute to a calorie deficit, which is essential for fat loss.

Do you look skinnier after sauna?

Since saunas are so hot, you end up sweating a lot. Losing this excess water can result in a few pounds lost, so you're likely to see the scale go down after a good sauna session.

Why does my belly swell in the heat?

Dehydration

When there is a lack of water in the body, it becomes difficult for our bodies to produce enough saliva, mucus, and digestive fluids that support a healthy, functioning digestive system. This can often lead to side effects such as abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation.

Why do I weigh more when it's hot out?

Hormonal changes that cause fluid retention when it's hot can lead to bloating and modest weight gain. For some people, extreme heat may even contribute to a slightly slower metabolism. All of these factors combined make it difficult to lose weight in the summer, but there are ways to counteract their effects.

How to stop body water retention?

Treatment for fluid retention
  1. a low-salt diet.
  2. diuretics (water pills)
  3. treatment for the underlying medical condition – such as hormone replacement (thyroxine) in the case of hypothyroidism.
  4. lifestyle changes in response to the underlying medical condition – such as avoidance of alcohol if liver disease is the cause.

Can sauna make you puffy?

If you use a sauna regularly, your body will have help in removing excess water that causes bloating. When you then renew your hydration levels by drinking more water, your body can sweat even more in the sauna, moving more toxins, salt, and bloat out of you, giving you a slimmer appearance.

Why should you not shower after a sauna?

Cooling off after the sauna is important because you can catch a cold if you sweat too much. Sauna-goers should leave enough time to cool down before warming up again. If you can, don't have a shower straight after the sauna. It's better for the body if you cool off in the fresh air first.

Does sauna drain lymphatic?

When you sit in a sauna, the heat causes your blood vessels to dilate. This dilation increases blood flow, which can help transport lymph throughout the body more effectively. Additionally, the sweating induced by the sauna can help flush toxins out of the body, potentially reducing the load on the lymphatic system.

What are the negatives of a sauna?

Although sauna bathing does not cause drying of the skin-and may even benefit patients with psoriasis-sweating may increase itching in patients with atopic dermatitis. Contraindications to sauna bathing include unstable angina pectoris, recent myocardial infarction, and severe aortic stenosis.

Does sauna remove toxins?

In summary, numerous clinical studies have shown that utilizing an infrared/steam sauna is able to remove many toxins through sweat; these include but are not limited to, heavy metals, phthalates, flame retardants, Bisphenol A, pesticides and PCBs.

Does sauna help with a puffy face?

Used properly, the sauna can indirectly enhance one's beauty by providing relaxation, stimulating circulation and clearing sinuses, thus reducing facial puffiness. The ground rules are these: Do not enter if you have high blood pressure.

Previous article
What makes a Karen haircut?
Next article
How to take care of skin after CO2 laser?