The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Sauna: Infrared vs. Traditional Sauna
Saunas have been used for centuries as a way to relax, detoxify, and improve overall health. However, with the rise of technology, the traditional sauna has been joined by a newer, more innovative counterpart: the infrared sauna. Both types of saunas offer unique benefits and drawbacks, and choosing the right one can be a challenge. In this ultimate guide, we'll explore the differences between infrared and traditional saunas, and provide tips on how to choose the right one for you.
First, let's start with traditional saunas. These saunas use fire or an electrical heat source to raise the temperature in the room, producing a dry heat sauna. For a traditional steam sauna, they generally place rocks on top of the heat source and splash a small amount of water on them, to create steam and increase the humidity in the room.
The reason why we sweat more in a steam sauna is because when there is already a high level of moisture in the air, it makes it difficult for sweat to evaporate from the skin. This causes the body to sweat more in order to cool itself down. In dry heat, the air has a low level of moisture, which allows sweat to evaporate more easily from the skin, and the body may not need to sweat as much to regulate its temperature. This is why high humidity can make you feel hotter and sweatier than dry heat, even if the actual temperature is the same.
Dry heat saunas are usually run at higher temperatures, typically between 160-200°F (71-93°C), while steam saunas are typically run at lower temperatures, between 110-120°F (43-49°C). The higher temperatures in a dry heat sauna can help to promote muscle relaxation and tension relief, while the lower temperatures in a steam sauna can help to open up the pores and promote sweating.
In contrast, infrared saunas use infrared heaters to directly heat the body, rather than the air around it. Infrared saunas operate at a lower temperature than traditional saunas, typically between 120-150°F, and have a much lower humidity level. Infrared saunas are known for their ability to penetrate deeper into the body, helping to stimulate the production of collagen, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation. A lot of the time, sauna goers express that they felt hotter in an infrared sauna, than they did in a dry or steam sauna. As infrared rays penetrate the body's tissues and muscles, it heats you from the inside out. This deep heating effect can lead to a more intense sensation of heat, even at a lower temperature than a traditional sauna. This is beneficial because infrared puts less overall stress on the body with quicker results. Additionally, the lack of hot, humid air in an infrared sauna can make it feel less suffocating and more comfortable for some people, allowing them to stay in the sauna for longer periods of time and experience a more intense and satisfying sweat session. A typical session in a traditional sauna may last between 10-20 minutes, while a session in an infrared sauna may last between 20-30 minutes. Why this is significant, is because the goal is to be in a sauna for a cumulative time of 60 minutes a week, so if we can hit that goal in two sessions, as opposed to having to do anywhere from 6-3 sessions, that is a huge time saver in the modern world, as most do not have easy access to this tools.
Here’s a look at 4 sample studies around general health benefits comparing infrared vs. traditional sauna:
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research in 2018 compared the effects of 12 weeks of traditional sauna use versus infrared sauna use on blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors in patients with hypertension. The researchers found that both types of sauna use led to improvements in blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors, but the effects were slightly greater in the infrared sauna group.
A study published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health in 2016 compared the effects of traditional sauna use versus infrared sauna use on pain, stiffness, and fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers found that both types of sauna use led to improvements in pain, stiffness, and fatigue, but the effects were slightly greater in the infrared sauna group.
A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2015 compared the effects of traditional sauna use versus infrared sauna use on markers of detoxification in healthy adults. The researchers found that both types of sauna use led to increases in markers of detoxification, but the effects were slightly greater in the infrared sauna group.
One study published in the Journal of Human Kinetics in 2015 compared the effects of 30 minutes of traditional sauna use versus 30 minutes of infrared sauna use on cardiovascular function in healthy young men. The researchers found that both types of sauna use led to improvements in cardiovascular function, but the effects were slightly greater in the traditional sauna group.
While infrared was our first sauna, we love both traditional and infrared sauna, here at Big Wave Industries. For infrared our preference is High Tech Health Saunas because of their third party safety testing and their decades long, amazing track record. For our traditional sauna we went with something portable and innovative: Sweat Tent.
So, how do you choose the right sauna for you? The first thing to consider is your personal preference. Do you prefer a higher temperature and humidity level, or do you prefer a more gentle, penetrating heat? Additionally, you should consider any health concerns you may have. If you have respiratory issues, such as asthma or allergies, a traditional sauna may not be the best choice for you, as the high humidity can exacerbate these conditions. On the other hand, if you have joint pain or inflammation, an infrared sauna may be a better option, as the penetrating heat can help to reduce inflammation and improve circulation. Cost can also be a huge factor to play in. Portable, semi-portable, and stationary/built in can be huge factors in cost. Another thing to consider, for infrared sauna, is making sure that the infrared panels are safe, third party tested and using far-infrared not near-infrared. If you want to know why, you can learn more about that here. Infrared saunas tend to be more expensive than traditional saunas, due to the advanced technology used to produce the infrared heat. However, infrared saunas are also more energy-efficient, which can lead to long-term cost savings. Lastly, with a wood-fired sauna, you also need to consider wood cost and where you plan to obtain it.
Ultimately, the decision of which sauna to choose comes down to personal preference and individual health needs. Whether you choose a traditional sauna or an infrared sauna, both offer unique benefits for relaxation, detoxification, and improved health. By considering the differences between the two types of saunas, you can make an informed decision and choose the sauna that is right for you.
