It's no secret that infrared and traditional saunas are hot commodities in today’s market. You can find them in gyms, spas, and homes. But what exactly can saunas do for you? How does an infrared sauna compare to a traditional sauna?
Let's take a closer look at infrared and traditional saunas, how they compare, their benefits, and which one is most suitable for you.
What Is an Infrared Sauna?
An infrared sauna uses light to make heat, and the air temperature is less important than in a traditional sauna, although they still heat up to around 120-140 °F. Instead of focusing on increasing air temperature heat, infrared panels emit infrared waves that penetrate the body, causing deep tissue sweat.
Full-spectrum infrared saunas use a combination of near, mid, and far infrared waves to give you the most benefits.
What Are Infrared Waves?
Infrared waves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum. They are invisible to the human eye, but we can feel them as heat. This electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy that travels through the air, and the human body absorbs.
The waves emitted by infrared saunas are the same as those emitted by the sun. However, Infrared saunas use infrared panels to focus the waves and create heat, whereas the sun emits infrared waves randomly.
What Are the Benefits of Using an Infrared Sauna?
There are many potential benefits to using an infrared sauna. When infrared waves penetrate the body, they cause the molecules to vibrate within the tissues. This vibration increases the temperature of the tissue and causes deep tissue sweat. The deep tissue sweat purges the body of toxins, including heavy metals, chemicals, and other pollutants.
Some specific benefits you may experience from using an infrared sauna include:
- Improved heart health
- Lower blood pressure
- Decreased depression, anxiety, and stress
- Muscle Recovery
- Pain relief
- Weight loss
- Reduced inflammation
- Detoxification
- Skin rejuvenation
- Improved circulation
- Improved sleep
While there are many potential benefits to using an infrared sauna, it's important to note that more research is needed to confirm some of these benefits. It's always a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting any new health regimen, including using an infrared sauna.
What Is a Traditional Sauna?
Traditional saunas use dry heat to increase the air temperature, raising your body temperature. Traditional saunas are made of wood, such as cedar, hemlock, or redwood. The wood is often left unfinished to retain its natural oils, which help to create a pleasant smell.
Traditional saunas heat up to around 150- 175°F and use a wood-burning stove, an electric stove, or rocks heated by a gas stove to create heat. The heat from the stove warms up the air in the sauna, which in turn, warms your body.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Traditional Sauna?
There are a variety of potential benefits to using a traditional sauna, including but not limited to the following:
- Detoxification
- Weight loss
- Skin rejuvenation
- Stress Management
- Improved heart health
- Improved sleep
- Pain relief
- Relaxation
As you can see, the benefits from a traditional sauna are similar to those of an infrared sauna. Once again, more research is needed to confirm some of these benefits, but many people have reported experiencing positive results from using a traditional sauna.
The Pros and Cons of Each Type of Sauna:
Now that we've looked at how each type of sauna works and what benefits they offer, let's take a more detailed look at each.
Infrared Saunas
Some of the advantages of infrared saunas include:
- Infrared saunas may be more effective at penetrating deep tissues
- They don’t require as high of temperatures to work
- Infrared saunas may be more comfortable for some people
- This type of sauna is more energy-efficient
Some disadvantages of infrared saunas include:
- May not be as effective at detoxifying the body
- More expensive than traditional saunas
- Not as widely available as traditional saunas
Traditional Saunas
Some pros for traditional saunas are that they:
- May be more effective at detoxifying the body
- More widely available than infrared saunas
- Less expensive than infrared saunas
Some cons for traditional saunas include:
- Requires higher temperatures to work
- May not be as comfortable for some people
- Not as energy-efficient
So, Which Type of Sauna Is Right for You?
Ultimately, the infrared and traditional sauna decision comes down to personal preference. After reviewing each sauna and its pros and cons, it is easy to see that both infrared and traditional saunas offer a variety of potential benefits.
If you're looking for a more traditional experience and don't mind getting a little sweaty, a standard air-heated sauna such as a Finish rock-style sauna may be right for you. However, an infrared sauna may be a better choice if you are more comfortable in lower heat and don't mind spending a little extra money.
If you cannot choose, you can also look into dual-function saunas that give you the best of both worlds!
More About Dual-Function Saunas
Dual-function saunas offer both infrared and traditional heating options. This means you can enjoy all the potential benefits of both infrared and traditional saunas in one unit. This is an excellent option for people who do not want to have to choose between the two options.
With this style of sauna, you can decide when you want to use infrared heating and when you want to enjoy the benefits of traditional sauna heating. This gives you the ultimate flexibility and convenience.
If you already have a traditional sauna but are interested in an infrared one, you can also purchase an infrared sauna kit to add to your existing unit. This allows you to convert your traditional sauna into a dual-operating unit.
Cool Down
Saunas have been used for centuries for their health benefits; today, there are more options than ever before. Whether it be a traditional sauna, an infrared sauna, or a hybrid of the two, there is bound to be an option that suits your needs.
If you want to improve your health, relax, and rejuvenate, infrared and traditional saunas are great investments. Just be sure to do your research and choose the option that's right for you.