Saunas have been enjoyed for centuries, and for good reason. Not only do they provide a relaxing and cleansing environment, but they also offer numerous health benefits. However, not everyone can tolerate the heat generated by traditional saunas. That’s where infrared saunas come into play.
A modern take on the traditional sauna, these saunas while sharing many health benefits with traditional sauna (although in different ways), offer a different experience due to their unique heating method and lower operating temperatures.
In this blog post, we outline everything you need to know about infrared saunas and how they differ from their traditional counterparts, exploring their functionality, their benefits and their potential drawbacks and answering the question we’re often asked – why is an infrared sauna not as hot as a traditional sauna?
The Science behind Infrared Heat
The fundamental difference between traditional and infrared saunas lies within the way they generate heat. Whilst a traditional sauna uses heat from rocks or other heating elements to warm the temperature of the air around the user, an infrared sauna uses infrared light and waves transmitted by ceramic or carbon heaters to create heat. Infrared light which can be divided into “near-infrared”, “middle-infrared”, and “far-infrared light” is part of the sun’s invisible spectrum of light and has in recent history been isolated for its healing properties. While it cannot be observed by the human eye, it can be experienced kinetically as heat. It is capable of heating objects without heating the air between them, which is the principle behind the infrared sauna’s operation.
Key Differences between an Infrared Sauna and a Traditional Sauna
1. Temperature
One of the primary distinctions between the two types of saunas is the temperature. Traditional saunas typically operate at a temperature range of 65°C to 85°C (160-200°F), whereas infrared saunas operate at a lower temperature range usually between 50°C and 65°C (120-150°F).
2. Humidity
A traditional sauna is characterised by high heat and low humidity. Water poured over hot rocks which are heated by a stove or an electric heater, produces bursts of steam raising the humidity levels to around 20% to 30% making it a wet sauna as the hot air and steam work together to intensify the heat and induce sweating. An infrared sauna, on the other hand, maintain a dry heat, operating at a higher humidity level of up to 60%.
3. Heating Method
While traditional saunas use a heating element to heat the air, infrared waves do not heat the air but rather penetrate the skin and heat the body directly.
4. Heat Penetration
The infrared heat penetrates deeper into body tissue than the dry or steam heat of traditional saunas, up to 1.5 inches below the skin’s surface – potentially offering more significant health benefits.
5. Technology
Where traditional saunas use a thermostat to control the temperature and a water source is required to produce steam and increase the humidity levels, infrared saunas are equipped with digital control systems that allow the user to adjust the temperature and humidity levels according to their liking.
6. Energy Efficiency
Infrared saunas tend to be more energy-efficient than traditional saunas due to their direct heating method and lower operating temperatures. They are faster to heat up compared to traditional sauna which needs longer to reach an ideal temperature, especially if the sauna heater has many stones.
Types of Infrared Saunas
Infrared saunas tend to fall into two main categories: near-infrared saunas and far-infrared saunas, with far infrared saunas the most common, but full-spectrum saunas where middle and near-infrared light are used are also available.
Both near-infrared saunas and far-infrared saunas use light to penetrate tissue, but they do it slightly differently.
Near-infrared saunas produce light that has a shorter wavelength than its far-infrared counterpart. But the near-infrared light is actually stronger and able to penetrate deeper into tissue than far-infrared light can.
The Health Benefits of Infrared Saunas
We’ve covered the health benefits of a traditional sauna on our website and infrared saunas share many similarities with traditional saunas when it comes to these benefits, but there are additional restorative benefits as well as practical benefits that an infrared sauna can provide. While near-infrared saunas have many of the same benefits as far-infrared saunas, it’s the far-infrared wavelengths that penetrate the most deeply, making them the preferred choice for many who are looking for the most powerful healing benefits.
1. Detoxification
The deeper heat penetration of an infrared sauna increases core body temperature and creates a detoxifying sweat at the cellular level where most toxins reside. This promotes the elimination of toxins more effectively than a traditional sauna.
2. Improved Circulation and Immune System
Exposure to infrared heat can boost the immune system by increasing blood flow and enhancing circulation. This can lead to improved oxygen delivery to your muscles and tissues, more white blood cell production and an improved lymphatic system function. This helps the body fight off infections more effectively as well as helping with muscle recovery and overall wellbeing.
3. Pain Relief
The deep penetrating heat of an infrared sauna and the resulting increased blood flow can help relieve muscle aches and joint pain and can help alleviate discomfort associated with conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia and autoimmune diseases.
4. Relaxation and Stress Reduction
The heat from an infrared sauna can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation by triggering the release of endorphins, the body’s natural mood-boosters, leaving the user feeling calm and serene.
5. Skin Health
The increased circulation, sweating and flushing out of toxins in an infrared sauna can help with acne, eczema, and other skin conditions by cleansing the skin, promoting collagen production, and enhancing its clarity and elasticity.
6. A Milder Heat Experience
As infrared saunas operate at a lower temperature range than traditional saunas, this makes them more tolerable for people who find the high heat of traditional saunas uncomfortable.
7. Accessibility
Infrared saunas are often more accessible for people with mobility issues, as they can be built to provide wheelchair access avoiding the need to climb up onto a bench or platform. ensuring that everyone, regardless of mobility limitations, can sit close to the heat emitters and indulge in their therapeutic effects.
Potential Drawbacks of Infrared Saunas
Despite their benefits, much like traditional saunas, there are some potential drawbacks and risks associated with infrared saunas which we’ll address here, as well as providing recommendations for their safe usage.
1. Health Risks for Some Users
In general, infrared saunas are considered safe for most people. Our bodies both emit and absorb infrared heat all the time. However, people with certain medical conditions, those with a history of heart problems for example, or for users on medications, or have implanted medical devices or pregnant women it’s best to proceed with caution and speak to a doctor before encountering any form of intense heat exposure. The intense heat, even if lower than traditional saunas, can still pose risks.
2. Electromagnetic field (EMF) risks
We are exposed to EMF every day from things like computers, laptops, mobile phones, microwaves, TVs etc – every electronic device emits some form of EMF. And concerns about exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have previously been raised when using an infrared sauna. However, infrared saunas are designed to emit very low EMF levels. Infrared sauna technology keeps EMF, measured in what’s called milligauss (mG), in the super-low range of .2 to .3 mG. This is far lower than what you get from using a computer or laptop screen or even a standard hair dryer (about 300 mG at 6 inches away). With appropriate usage guidelines and adherence to manufacturer instructions, individuals can confidently enjoy the many advantages of an infrared sauna without compromising their health or safety.
3. Absence of Steam and Lack of Surrounding Heat
We mention this because those who enjoy the steamy hot environment of traditional saunas may find the dry heat of an infrared sauna lacking. Traditional sauna enthusiasts argue that the steam and surrounding heat is an important part of the experience, as it helps to create a humid and relaxing environment that is not present in an infrared sauna, with some users claiming that the higher temperatures are necessary for a true sauna experience.
Wrapping Up
Infrared saunas offer a modern take on the sauna experience. And while there’s a heated debate in the sauna community about which is better, an infrared or traditional dry sauna, the technology-driven approach and the innovative use of infrared light does provide a distinct set of advantages over conventional saunas, particularly in terms of a more targeted and deeper heat penetration and lower operating temperatures.
Whether you opt for the steamy embrace of a traditional sauna or the gentle but deep-penetrating warmth of an infrared sauna, both provide health benefits and make excellent additions to any wellness experience.
Bespoke Infrared Saunas
Whatever your choice, our sauna builders can create expertly crafted custom-built infrared saunas of exceptional quality designed to suit your preferences and requirements. Get in touch today!