Sauna Ozone Therapy- Benefits, Risks & Holistic Dr. Recommendations

By Dr. Candy Akers

Before we discuss what sauna ozone therapy is, we need to understand why some people add ozone to a sauna in the first place. Ozone is well known to be one of the most essential gases in the stratosphere. It is a more powerful oxidant compared with oxygen. The use of ozone is due to its disinfective, anti-bacterial and oxidative properties. It inactivates fungi and bacteria in a lesser time compared with chlorine.

What is Sauna Ozone Therapy?

Ozone sauna therapy is the combination of ozone gas and sauna where you sit in a sauna box that induces sweating while introducing ozone at the same time. The sauna increases the detoxifying, cleansing, and eliminative capacity of the skin by stimulating the sweat glands(1)

How Does Sauna Ozone Therapy Work?

The Ozone Sauna enhances transdermal absorption of 03 by using steam to efficiently open pores in the skin, which is your body’s largest waste-removing organ.


03 molecules destroy bacteria, fungi, and viruses on the surface of your skin. It penetrates the skin to react with pathogens and toxins found in lymph fluid, blood, and other body tissues. Furthermore, the detoxifying effects of ozone make body tissues less inflamed, more oxygenated, and generally more healthy.


Some researchers believe that ozone has therapeutic effects in the following conditions like cancer, arthritis, ischemic, heart disease, macular degeneration and fighting viral diseases, such as HIV.

How Can Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy Be Compared To Ozone Therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen while in a chamber, where the air pressure is raised to a level greater than normal air pressure. This helps the lungs collect more oxygen. 


Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used to treat tissue damage caused by some chronic, non-healing conditions such as Diabetic foot and leg wounds, bone infection, compromised skin flops, Radiation injury, Bone infection, etc.(3) 

Is Ozone Therapy Safe?

Ozone therapy is not widely used, especially at home because, there are risks associated with it. In 2019, the FDA issued a warning about inhaling ozone because it can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory diseases.

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Benefits of Sauna Ozone Therapy

  • Refreshes the Immune System
  • Stimulates vasodilatation of peripheral blood vessels speeding the healing process of wounds and relieving pain
  • Increases the White Blood Cell count
  • Speeds up the metabolic processes of the endocrine glands and inner organs resulting in a Burn up of about 400-600 calories per session
  • Aids in detoxification and elimination 
  • Exceptionally good for skin problems by killing bacteria and viruses 
  • Improve exercise tolerance and speed up recovery times from injury 
  • Drastically increases oxygenation of the cells and tissues
  • Increase circulation, nutrients, and oxygen delivery within the body.
  • Oxidizes toxins so they can be eradicated through the lungs, skin, colon, and kidney 

Risks Associated With Sauna Ozone Therapy

Here are some risks associated with using ozone (4)

  • Ozone gas itself is harmful to humans. Exposing one's self to ozone is associated with the risk of death from respiratory diseases.
  • Inhaling small amounts of ozone can irritate the throat and lungs, resulting in symptoms like coughing, burning of the eyes, mild headache, and damage to the lungs. 
  • It can lead to hypoxia when ozone mixes with hemoglobin in the blood and leaves no place for oxygen.
  • Rectally or vaginally administered ozone can cause air emboli. 
  • It can trigger asthma, shortness of breath, and getting choked.

Do Doctors Recommend Ozone Sauna For Home Use?

No. This is due to the dangerous effects it can cause when ozone is inhaled especially in a sauna. It Is Impossible to Predict Exposure Levels to ozone when using it at home. Instead of an ozone Sauna, you can safely use infrared saunas at home for lots of conditions, and are extremely safe. They are also cost-effective. 

These detox reactions are one reason why it is so important to remove sweat by showering right after an infrared sauna session. As the sauna removes those toxins from the sweat, those substances can be reabsorbed by the body if left on the skin for too long. I recommend taking a shower within 20 minutes of getting out of the sauna. If it is not possible at the time, take time to towel off as much sweat as possible, and change your clothes until you can clean up

Since sauna ozone therapy can be dangerous in a home setting, I don’t recommend using ozone in your home spa. If your condition would benefit from sauna ozone therapy, check out the products and guidance at Creatrix Solutions. They can help you use ozone safely for your specific condition. Check outCreatrix Solutions' Tri-Oxy Water Ozonators for more information.