The Science Behind Infrared Sauna and Its Health Benefits
After a taxing day at work, the sauna offers a nice, warm, and soothing ambiance to your tensed muscles and nerves. But do you know the latest sauna doesn’t even involve heat to warm the air and body?
In this article, we’ll highlight the benefits of an infrared sauna and how it works to cause reactions like those caused by moderate exercise.
Read on!
After a taxing day at work, the sauna offers a nice, warm, and soothing ambiance to your tensed muscles and nerves. But do you know the latest sauna doesn’t even involve heat to warm the air and body?
In this article, we’ll highlight the benefits of an infrared sauna and how it works to cause reactions like those caused by moderate exercise.
Read on!
What is an Infrared Sauna?
Infrared sauna or far-infrared sauna, unlike traditional sauna, uses light or infrared heaters (dry heat) to heat your body from the inside, without affecting the humidity levels.
Infrared saunas can come in many forms, including:
- Portable infrared saunas that are lightweight, compact, and portable.
- Infrared sauna cabins use different infrared light wavelengths for deep penetration, promoting healing and increasing blood circulation.
- Infrared sauna blankets that feature gentle heat levels to penetrate up to 1.5 inches under the skin to treat pain and inflammation. They also stimulate your sweat glands, releasing all the toxins and heavy metals from your body.
All of the above forms of infrared sauna use infrared panels or lamps to produce radiation and gentle heat that reaches your body and provides long-term health benefits.
Infrared Saunas VS. Steam Saunas—Which is Better?
Apparently, infrared saunas and traditional saunas are alike. However, some important factors set them apart.
Heating mechanism
The way infrared saunas and traditional saunas use heat is very different. Traditional, or steam saunas mainly use a single heater to heat the air, which in turn heats up the user.
However, infrared saunas, as the name suggests; use infrared heaters that emit light, which completely absorbs the skin to heat up your body and induce a relaxing sweating mechanism.
Overall temperature
You cannot stay longer in the steam saunas because they operate at higher temperatures (ranging from 150°F to 195°F ), which becomes quite uncomfortable for the body.
The infrared saunas are cooler than traditional saunas and operate at low temperature levels (normally ranging from 120°F to 150°F), allowing you to stay more in the sauna for more relaxation.
Experience and sensation
Now, if we talk about the ultimate experience of both types, infrared saunas are milder because they operate at low temperature levels and give your body a subtle and gentler treatment, penetrating deep into your skin and providing a warming sensation without feeling uncomfortable.
As far as the steam saunas are concerned, the heat intensity and high humidity levels, sometimes, result in intense sweating because of higher temperatures, which can be uncomfortable for your mind and body.
Benefits of Infrared Sauna
Out of the many advantages of infrared sauna, one is counteracting the aging process. Therefore, many skin estheticians recommend infrared saunas to improve your skin health and the appearance of your skin.
Moreover, the health benefits of infrared saunas are commendable.
Reduce stress
Imagine you’re sitting and relaxing in an infrared sauna after a tiring day at work. The stress hormones are messing up with your mind and body, but the art of just sitting and relaxing in a gently heated room eases your nerves and manages the pent-up stress and anxiety.
Nothing can be as peaceful as that!
One of the studies claims that people use infrared saunas because the sessions are super relaxing, and one of the top reasons people may use saunas is solely for relaxation and stress-release purposes.
Above all, sweating induced by the infrared sauna helps in eliminating all the toxins in your body through your skin, leaving behind a clear and light mind and promoting detoxification at a cellular level.
Pain relief
The heat from an infrared sauna penetrates deep into your skin tissues and promotes blood circulation for muscle pain, joint pain, and stiffness relief.
When the blood circulation is prim and proper, levels of lactic acid in your body are reduced, which helps in reducing muscle soreness. Infrared saunas are also proven to show improvements in osteoarthritis patients.
Improved sleep
Individuals who try infrared saunas for the first time notice a drastic change in their sleeping patterns.
That’s because a sauna allows you to warm your body for a considerable amount of time. After cooling down, your body feels relaxed and muscle tension is also released, which triggers the brain to allow you to sleep peacefully.
Improved heart health
Infrared saunas increase your body temperature which results in diluting the blood vessels and improving blood flow. Ultimately, it improves your heart health and lowers your blood pressure.
Many patients with chronic heart failure were recommended infrared sauna therapy to control hypertension and improve left ventricular ejection fraction.
Furthermore, incorporating infrared sauna sessions in your self-care routine may help in muscle recovery, stress reduction, detoxing, and improving heart health.
Infrared sauna treatments are usually done in your nearest gym, health club, or in the office of your holistic nutritionist. Or you can just use an infrared sauna from the comfort of your home.
Whatever the circumstances, here are a few simple steps to get you started.
How To Use An Infrared Sauna
Stay hydrated
It is the crucial step before entering your sauna sessions. Hydrating your body allows your body to move and relax better. We recommend drinking at least 32 ounces or one liter of water before the start of your session.
Infrared sauna sessions induce excessive sweating, which ultimately may lead to dehydration due to fluid loss. Therefore, staying properly hydrated is key to a healthy lifestyle with sauna sessions.
We also recommend drinking plenty of water during the sauna session, especially if you’re sensitive to heat.
Adjust the temperature settings
Each body reacts differently to different temperature settings. Therefore, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the temperature and duration of your sessions according to your level of tolerance.
The average temperature range for a beginner’s sauna session should range anywhere between 100˚F to 150˚F. However, if you can handle more, you can go higher.
The duration of sessions
If you’re a beginner, start with shorter sauna sessions (around 15 to 30 minutes max). Set the timer of your sauna before starting the sessions to make sure you do not stay longer than needed.
Enter the sauna
Once you’ve finally adjusted the temperature and duration of your sessions, it’s time to enter the sauna. Sit, lay down, think, or do whatever relaxes your muscles, mind, and body. Just don’t go to sleep during the sessions.
Exit the sauna
After the timer runs out, do not leave the sauna yet. Allow your body to cool down and remain seated. Once your body is ready, take a shower or bath and hydrate yourself to prepare for another session.
FAQs
How many times per week should you use a sauna?
Many health practitioners recommend using the infrared sauna three to four times a week. If your body allows, you can also use a sauna daily.
What are the risks of infrared sauna sessions?
Research suggests that using a sauna during pregnancy may harm a growing fetus. Therefore, it’s best to avoid it completely.
Other potential risks of sauna include:
- Reduce sperm count and motility
- Dehydration
- Overheating
- Leg pain
- Irritated airways
- Claustrophobia
When should I avoid using infrared saunas?
You should avoid using infrared saunas if:
- You have been drinking alcohol
- Suffering from a high fever
- You are severely dehydrated
Find your Infrared Sauna Today with The Fitness Achievement Center
If you’re looking for an indoor infrared sauna in Sacramento with durable heaters and professional staff to help you through your sauna sessions, contact our representatives and experience the power of improved sleep, vitality, and increased blood flow without harmful medications and drugs.