Infrared Sauna Benefits & Risks: The Ultimate Guide 2021

You’ve probably heard of a popular trend called infrared saunas if you’re interested in the health and relaxation benefits saunas offer. Furthermore, infrared saunas are something you want to learn more about.

What is an Infrared Sauna?

An infrared sauna is a sauna that creates heat by using light. The light used by infrared saunas directly produces heat and warms your body up rather than the air surrounding you. Like all other types of saunas, infrared saunas provide you with similar effects to having exercised, such as making you sweat and increasing your heart rate.

Infrared Saunas vs. Traditional Saunas

The main difference between the traditional saunas (which you might be more familiar with) and infrared saunas is the way that they produce heat. As previously mentioned, infrared saunas create heating by directly warming your body. Traditional saunas, on the other hand, heats the air around you, which eventually causes your body to warm up.

Traditional saunas and infrared saunas differ in other ways, as well, including:

	Infrared Sauna	Traditional Sauna
Heat	150 degrees Fahrenheit	195 degrees Fahrenheit
Wet/Dry	Dry	Both
Humidity	Little to none	High
Heat Source	Radiator Element	Natural gas, electric, wood
Power Required	Less	More (3 times)

These differences are significant and should be considered when you make your choice between using a traditional or infrared sauna.

Are Infrared Saunas Effective?

Infrared saunas are very effective in providing the same type of results you would get from traditional saunas and doing so in an even more comfortable way. The reason they are so effective and practical for use is because of the way they work and the light they use to generate heat.

Think about being outside on a sunny, Fall day. Although the temperature is not particularly warm, your body will still feel the hug of heat. Why is that? It is because the type of heat generated from the sun heats your body directly, instead of the air around you. Sound familiar? That’s because the infrared light used in infrared saunas is part of the full spectrum of light given off by the sun.

image credit: wildworkoutsandwellness

You will definitely notice the difference in feeling between traditional and infrared saunas. While traditional saunas remind you of when the heat has been turned up too high in the metro system, infrared saunas feel like stepping into a clear patch of sunlight.

Infrared Saunas Throughout History

Saunas date back to ancient times and were in use as early as following the Ice Age. They originated in Finland as simple earth pits that people covered with animal skin to retain the heat. People even in ancient times used them regularly and understood some of the benefits they offered including cleansing, relaxation, and aiding in healing illnesses. They were even used as places for birth and death thousands of years ago.

While infrared rays and their heating uses were first discovered by William Herschel in the 1800s, the first infrared sauna came into play around 100 years ago when Dr. JH Kellogg from Battle Creek Michigan invented what he called an electric light bath. This was the earliest form of what we now know as an infrared sauna.

In was in 1965 that a Japanese doctor secured the first patent for a ceramic far infrared heater, and for the next fourteen years, Japanese doctors were the only ones with access to the technology. Eventually, infrared technology reached the United States in the 1980s, and from that point on, there was much more research and discovery about the potential use of infrared saunas.

Types of Infrared Saunas

Not all infrared saunas are created equally. There are three main types of infrared sauna:

• Far Infrared Sauna
• Near-Infrared Sauna
• Mid Infrared Sauna

Each type of infrared sauna employs a different wavelength of infrared light to produce heat and provide unique benefits to your body.

Image credit: mamanatural

Differences Between Infrared Sauna Types

The reason that three types of infrared saunas were created is because each utilized wavelength works differently and provides varying benefits after using it. Here is more information about each type:

Near-Infrared Saunas

Near-infrared waves have a shorter frequency range and are able only to penetrate the epidermis, or outer, layer of your skin. Near-infrared wavelength is 0.76 microns. The shorter frequency range and effect on your outer layer of skin make near-infrared rays good for overall skin health and healing wounds.

Benefits of Near Infrared Saunas

• Cell health and immunity
• Cut and wound healing
• Skin rejuvenation
• Aiding in pain relief

Mid Infrared Saunas

Mid infrared waves can penetrate slightly deeper into your body than near infrared waves. Their wavelength is usually around 1.5 microns. Their ability to go further into the skin makes mid infrared waves helpful in increasing and improving circulation. You can think of using an mid-infrared sauna like doing a mild cardio workout, such as a walking session. It gets your blood moving and keeps it moving after your time in the sauna.

Benefits of Mid Infrared Saunas

• Helps with pain relief.
• Works to improve overall circulation.
• Can aid in weight loss efforts.

Far Infrared Saunas

Far infrared waves go deepest into your body of the three types of infrared saunas, with a wavelength of near 5.6 microns. Using a far infrared sauna will raise your body’s core, cellular temperature, which will leave you sweating and feeling like you’re getting a real detox. Since most of your body’s toxins live at the cellular level, the far infrared sauna is the one to choose when you are looking for serious cleansing.

Benefits of Far Infrared Saunas

• Supports weight loss efforts.
• Provides deep detoxification.
• Helps reduce blood pressure.
• Ideal for overall relaxation.

Now that you’ve read the differences between the types of infrared saunas, you’re probably asking yourself which one is best? Whichever type of infrared sauna you are researching, you will find claims that it is the best one, obviously. This is standard marketing. The real best comes down to your specific wants and needs.

Near, Mid, and Far-Infrared Saunas all offer specific benefits to your body. If you’re interested in the deepest possible penetration or a serious sweat session like you would get with traditional saunas, then your best bet is a far infrared sauna. That being said, there is no one type that is better than the other because they all offer different benefits with varying purposes.

Whether you choose to use indoor infrared saunas or outdoor infrared saunas, you will still need to make the decision about the wavelength you prefer. Think about what your specific reasons are for using an infrared sauna, and then match those reasons with the function and benefits of one of the three types. If you really can’t decide, look into using full-spectrum infrared saunas, which are created to provide all three types of infrared light in one sauna.

Heater Choice: Carbon or Ceramic?

Image via: divapor.com

One detail you want to pay attention to when looking into what infrared sauna you will use is the type of heaters employed. Infrared saunas are typically made with either ceramic or carbon heaters. Ceramic heaters have been used longer and were the original heating source for infrared heaters, but over time, popularity has shifted to carbon heaters.

So which type of heater is better in an infrared heater? While ceramic heaters are known to last longer than carbon heaters, carbon heaters offer more benefits than ceramic heaters, including:

• Evenly Distributed Heat: ceramic heaters are known for leaving hot and cold spots throughout an infrared sauna, but carbon heaters heat the whole sauna evenly.
• Low Surface Temperature: one of the biggest advantages of carbon heaters over ceramic heaters is that they do not produce as much surface heat. Ceramic heaters often make the surface too hot to safely touch.
• Better Heating Coverage: overall, carbon heaters provide more and better quality than ceramic heaters throughout the infrared sauna.
• Infrared Ray Type: carbon heaters tend to produce rays closer to far-infrared, which means that you’ll be getting deeper treatment during your sauna time.
• More Affordable: carbon heaters are more energy-efficient than ceramic heaters so you will save money in the long run.

While you will still be able to reap the benefits of your infrared sauna with both ceramic and carbon heaters, choosing carbon heaters is the safer, more cost-efficient, and more beneficial way to go.

Benefits and Disadvantages of Using Infrared Saunas

Just like everything in life, there are both benefits and disadvantages to using infrared saunas. Before making your decision about trying an infrared sauna, or simply to know what’s in store, it is advisable to educate yourself about both the benefits and disadvantages. As they say, knowledge is power.

Overall, using an infrared sauna will prove to be much more beneficial than disadvantageous. There exists a large collection of reasons to use infrared saunas. Here are some of them:

Image via: fix.com

How Infrared Saunas Can Help You

• It burns a lot of calories and increases your metabolism.
• Rids your body of heavy metals and other dangerous toxins.
• Promotes anti-aging and overall skin health.
• Keeps your body young at the cellular level.
• Helps with stress reduction and relaxation.
• Aids in easing pain and discomfort in muscles, joints, nerves.
• Better cognitive functioning, including focus.
• Keeps your heart healthy and your blood pressure down.
• The immune system works more smoothly.
• Will help you get more deep sleep each night.

Though the possible disadvantages of infrared saunas are not as many, and less likely to be experienced by everyone, it is still important that you are aware of what they are:

Possible Side Effects and Dangers

Possibility of high electromagnetic fields (EMF): EMF is produced by technology and even your own body, but technology production is always more intense. When EMF is too high, it can cause risks to your health without your knowledge, as EMF is invisible. Choose low EMF infrared saunas.

• Dehydration or overheating when not used properly.
• The risk for those with heart disease and high blood pressure must be advised by a doctor before use.
• May aggravate eczema and cause additional itching.
• Complications with silicone implants.

What it comes down to is that there are always possible risks involved in doing most things. If you are uncertain about how your health will be affected, it is best to speak with your doctor before using an infrared sauna. If your doctor clears you for use, go ahead and enjoy the many health benefits infrared saunas have to offer!

When to avoid infrared saunas?

In certain cases, infrared saunas might subject you to dangers instead of benefits. If you have the conditions below, it is better to check with your doctor and get ready to stay away from saunas in general.

Pregnancy

When you are expecting a baby, you might experience body aches frequently, and relaxing with a sauna seems like a wonderful idea, yet the risks are worth considering.

During pregnancy, women tend to feel warmer than usual due to hormonal changes, and the heat from an infrared sauna will take their body temperature to a whole new level. However, the important thing is the baby. They cannot adjust to the change and thus become vulnerable.

Research has shown severe consequences such as brain and spine issues are bound to happen to the baby if exposed to extreme heat when they are still in the uterus. In the worst case, the risk of miscarriage will come true.

For people currently having medical conditions, sauna heat can make the situation much more complicated.

Your doctor should have the final saying. Nonetheless, you need to limit the duration to 15 minutes at most and leave the sauna immediately if you feel nauseous or dizzy.

Under substance effects

Sweating in a sauna while sipping your favorite wine seems more relaxing than anything else in the world, but alcohol consumption will increase hypotension and dehydration especially when you use saunas, thus it should be avoided at all costs.

Finland researchers have provided alarming data: 1.8% of sudden death cases come from people who use saunas within 3 hours of consuming alcohol, while another 1.7% of the cases happen within 24 hours. It means you are not safe even if you take a short break after drinking. Only get into a sauna in your most conscious state.

Taking medications

Many medications might lead to drowsiness, increase heart rate, and affect blood pressure. How do they leave negative impacts on your sauna routine?

For example, saunas are supposed to boost your heart rate and blood circulation, but medications like beta-blockers might counter those effects. Our final advice is, make sure your health conditions are under control before subjecting your body to the saunas.

Under medical conditions

The conditions you should definitely pay more attention to are included in the list below:

– Kidney diseases

– Low blood pressure

– Using any medicines that can lower blood pressure

– Neurological deficits

– Heart conditions

Other common problems

Incompatible age

Saunas are not recommended for either older adults or young children due to the risk of dehydration and dizziness.

Opened wounds

Whether it is an injury or a wound from surgery, you need to give it some time to heal. For safety, talk to your doctor before signing up for a sauna session.

Weak immune system

A facility where the hygiene is below standard will cause many troubles for people with a compromised immune system. You can always contact the staff and make sure the protocols are suitable for your health.

Irritated skin

Same with unhealed wounds, skin irritation needs enough time to recover.

Tips for Best Use of Infrared Saunas

To give yourself the best-infrared sauna experience possible, there are a few helpful tips you can follow!

Before

• Drink Up: make sure that you hydrate your body with enough water before, during, and after your infrared sauna session.
• Wait After Eating: don’t go into your infrared sauna right after eating, give your body at least one or two hours to digest your food properly.
• Clean Skin: you don’t want any oils or lotions on your skin when you go into the infrared sauna because they will block your pores so your sweat will be inhibited.

During

• Stick to a Good Time: to get the most of your infrared sauna, you want to use it regularly. So pick a time that works for your schedule and pencil in your sauna time.
• What to Wear: the truth is it’s better to wear nothing, but if you’re not comfortable in the nude, choose a light bathing suit or light activewear.
• Don’t Skimp on Towels: you will probably sweat quite a bit, so be prepared by bringing multiple towels into the infrared sauna with you.
• Temperature Signs: it’s best to set your infrared sauna from 125-150 degrees F, but wait until it reaches at least 110 degrees to get inside.
• Get Moving: don’t be shy. Stretching and massaging your body are the best things to do while you’re enjoying your infrared sauna, as it will help keep everything flowing.

After

• Cool Off for a Few Minutes: after you finish your time in the sauna, you want to allow your body to cool back down to its normal temperature by sitting and relaxing before moving on to the rest of your day.
• Strategic Shower: when you’ve cooled down, get into a warm shower and exfoliate your whole body very well to open pores and clear dead skin cells. End your shower on a cooler note to close pores.
• Body Reactions: it’s not uncommon to experience some unexpected symptoms such as headaches or fatigue after using the sauna because your body is engaged in many healing processes. There’s no need to panic, simply sit or lie down a bit and drink more water.
• Don’t Sweat It: your first few infrared sauna sessions may be a lot drier than you’d expect because your body needs time to adjust to the process and allow the detox to take place. You’ll see the waters running after a few sessions, no worries.
• No Need to Push It: beginning a sauna practice may come as a shock to your body so listen to what it needs. If you start to overheat or feel nauseous, do not push yourself to stay in the infrared sauna. You will be able to stand longer times as you go along.

Keeping these things in mind will help you get the most out of your infrared sauna experience.

Do It Yourself (DIY) Infrared Sauna

Read more on quantifiedbob

If you’re interested in reaping the benefits of infrared saunas, but can’t afford to buy an already made home version or to go to a salon or clinic for sessions, you’re still in luck. You can actually build your own DIY infrared sauna for around $150, sometimes even less.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Space: you can use a small room, closet, tent, or use a canopy to create a sheltered space in a larger room.
• Infrared Heat Bulbs (Near Infrared bulbs are safer for DIY purposes): you’ll want to use anywhere from two to four infrared heat bulbs for your sauna.
• Lamp Clamps: these are needed in order to house the bulbs and must be strong enough to handle the power and heat.
• Support System: you need to brace the lights somewhere sturdy. Think something like a wire shelf or standing shoe rack.
• Power Strip: you’ll need a heavy-duty power strip, preferably with a long cord, where you will plug in all lights.
• Eye Coverage: just to be safe, it’s a good idea to use a pair of goggles like you would at a tanning salon when in your DIY infrared sauna.
• Thermometer: make sure you keep track of how hot things are getting in your sauna.
• Extra Heat Source: if sweating is your main goal, you may want to add an extra heater inside of your sauna, just stay aware of EMF levels.

Once you’ve set up your DIY infrared sauna, make sure that you create a seating position at least one foot away from the heat bulbs, and position the bulbs so that they are facing your body, but not directly at your head. Get hydrated, gather some towels, and start using your DIY infrared sauna.

How to Choose the Right Infrared Sauna

Let’s face it, while a DIY sauna may be the cheapest option, it isn’t the same as having a professionally made infrared sauna. Considering investing in an infrared sauna for your home is a big deal. There are many things that you want to sit down and think about before beginning your search. You will find it helpful to use pen and paper to write down your unique needs so that you can identify the necessary features.

Here are some things to consider before you begin your infrared sauna search:

Brands: it’s important to do research about infrared sauna manufacturers. You will be able to learn about the reputation of companies and find many customer reviews about their products. A few popular infrared sauna brands are:

• Sunlighten: good customer service, widely recommended brand.
• HealthMate: good reputation with customers, 25-year company history.
• Heavenly Heat: good warranties and customer service, almost 30 years in business.
• Clearlight: started by a doctor, lifetime warranties.
• SaunaCore: good warranties, the company running more than 30 years.

Number of People: consider what your home sauna purposes are and think about how many people you need to fit into your infrared sauna. You will find options ranging from fitting 1 to 4 people readily available on the market for home use.

Important Features:

Each infrared sauna is made with a slightly different design. Think about small features that may have a big impact on your satisfaction with your infrared sauna experience.

• Heating Time: when comparing different models, find out how long it takes each one to heat up so you know how long you’ll have to wait before stepping into relaxation.
• Heater Type: Ceramic or Carbon: remember what we said — carbon is probably your best choice. Either way, pay attention to what type of heater is used so you know what to expect.
• Power: you need to know how much power your infrared sauna will require so that you can ensure that your home is able to facilitate its needs.
• Maximum and Minimum Temperature: don’t assume that temperature is standard across all infrared models and brands. Learn the minimums and maximums of each model you explore to make the most informed decision.
• Timer: it’s easy to get carried away with relaxation while you’re in your infrared sauna so having a built-in timer might be something important for your safety, and also simple convenience.
• Negative Ions: some infrared saunas also emit negative ions. Negative ions are helpful because they purify the air, can increase sweating, and fight against fatigue after sauna sessions.
• Easy Storage: not everyone has a lot of extra space to spare in their house for an infrared sauna. If that sounds like you, then you may be interested in investing in an infrared sauna that can be folded up for storage when not in use.
• Foot-Pad: many infrared saunas come with a food-pad which not only heats your feet during your sauna session but also serves as a good way to absorb some of your sweat.
• Head and Hands Extension: if you choose a portable infrared sauna, it is likely to be a bit smaller, and you may find that you get bored just sitting inside the box. Having head and hand extensions means you can keep your head and hands out of the actual to stay cool and read a book or play with your phone.
• Pre-Set Heating Options: while it’s always nice to have full control over your temperature in your infrared sauna, you may find that sometimes you want to simply hit a pre-set option and relax.
• Automatic Shut-Off: this is an important safety feature. If something goes wrong with your infrared sauna, you want to know that it will turn off before overheating or becoming a fire hazard.
• Tourmaline: Tourmaline is a natural mineral that enhances detoxification and relaxation on many levels. When tourmaline is used in infrared saunas, the penetration, transfer, and absorption of infrared waves are more effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

After all, utilizing the sauna service at a salon or a gym club might be a more economic choice for most of us, and you are ready to make the most out of it with this ultimate guide about the benefits and risks of infrared saunas!

More post like this:

• Does Planet Fitness Have a Sauna?
• TOP 7 Best Portable Infrared Sauna | Review & Buying Guide 2021