Effects of water-filtered infrared-A and of heat on cell death, inflammation, antioxidative potential and of free radical formation in viable skin--first results.

•Effects of wIRA and of heat on skin were compared for induced temperatures up to 45°C.•Neither cell death, inflammation, nor free radical generation were significantly induced by wIRA.•No significant effects on viability and on inflammation were caused by convective heat.•Free radical formation was almost doubled, and antioxidative power almost halved after convective heating to about 45°C.