The Science Behind Infrared Saunas: Understanding How Infrared Saunas Work and Exploring Their Health Benefits

An infrared sauna is a sauna that uses infrared rays to achieve optimal temperatures and therapeutic effects. Unlike traditional saunas, which usually feature hot rocks or a stove, infrared saunas solely rely on infrared radiation. But how does infrared sauna work exactly? What’s the science behind this method?

The technology of infrared saunas will be the topic of this article. We’ll show you how these saunas work and how they can boost your health.

How Infrared Saunas Work

Infrared sauna technology may sound complex, but it’s relatively straightforward. An infrared sauna doesn’t heat the air around you. Instead, the infrared rays warm up your body directly to increase your bodily temperature and provide you with numerous health benefits.

Once you step inside an infrared sauna, it looks relatively similar to a traditional sauna. That’s because infrared rays are invisible. Visible wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum are in the 380-700 nanometer range. Infrared radiation has longer wavelengths, making it invisible to the naked eye. The light carries energy through photons, which get absorbed by the skin and exhibit as heat.

Infrared saunas are becoming increasingly popular for many reasons. Primarily, they’re often considered superior to traditional saunas since they’re more comfortable.

Standard saunas utilize stoves or hot rocks to increase the temperature of the room to a scorching 180-190 degrees Fahrenheit. You can improve your well-being in this environment, but it’s hard to stay inside until the health effects kick in.

Conversely, infrared saunas are much more comfortable. The average temperature is between 140 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, there’s no intense steam associated with steam rooms, allowing you to await the health gains in a pleasant atmosphere.

Health Benefits of Infrared Saunas

Knowing the basics of how infrared sauna works is great, but understanding the health benefits of infrared light is even more important. After all, you won’t go to a sauna to admire the technology. The purpose of your visit is to help improve your health.

And a high-quality infrared sauna, such as the one from Komowa Wellness, can do that on many levels.

Cardiovascular Benefits

The greatest health benefit of infrared sauna bathing may be its effect on your cardiovascular system. It can dilate your blood vessels to relieve blood pressure. Moreover, it gives the heart a workout to make it more resistant to disease and failure.

Detoxification and Relaxation

When considering sauna bathing, one of the first questions you may have is, is an infrared sauna good for detox? The answer is a resounding yes.

An infrared sauna is one of the best ways to detoxify your body. It increases your body temperature to promote sweating, which transports lead, mercury, and other toxins from your organism.

Therapeutic Uses

Infrared light therapy also has many therapeutic benefits. By improving circulation, it can speed up wound healing by supplying the affected area with nutrients. Furthermore, it can enhance sleep, boost your mood, and sharpen your focus.

Types of Infrared Saunas

No discussion about how infrared sauna works is complete without mentioning the three major types of infrared sauna:

Far infrared – This is the longest infrared wavelength, which penetrates deep into the body. It feels much like standing in the sun or near a campfire (without the UV rays or smoke, respectively). It raises your body temperature to facilitate stress relief, muscle recovery, and weight loss.
Mid infrared – Slightly shorter, mid-infrared radiation penetrates slightly less into the body. It’s best for healing injuries by allowing oxygen to reach the injured areas. It’s also good for improving circulation.
Near infrared – The shortest wavelengths of IR light penetrate only into the topmost layers of skin to boost cell regeneration and collagen production. Near infrared light has anti-inflammatory properties and is being tested for mental health improvement and brain trauma relief.

Practical Guidelines for Use

To capitalize on the hi-tech design of infrared saunas, safety should be your priority. The last thing you want is to spend too much time inside and risk discomfort.

Therefore, you’re probably wondering, how often is it safe to use infrared sauna bathing? The answer depends on many factors, including your experience. If you’ve never gone to a sauna, don’t go more than once or twice a week in the first couple of weeks. Only after you get acclimated should you bump up the frequency to three or four weekly sessions.

Another key consideration is if you have any health conditions. For instance, if you have a history of heart disease or high blood pressure, one or two weekly sessions are generally recommended. Consult your doctor to determine the optimal frequency.

Here are a few more tips on how to make the most of your infrared sauna bathing and stay safe throughout your sessions:

Drink water and avoid alcohol to stay hydrated.
Monitor the temperature.
Sit upright to ensure even radiation.
Don’t smoke inside the sauna.
Rest for at least 10 minutes after a workout before going into the sauna.
Consult your doctor before the first session.

Scientific Evidence

It’s hard to make an informed choice regarding infrared saunas. There’s a bunch of conflicting information out there, so you could use a few research papers or case studies to be more confident about your sauna bathing.

Thankfully, the scientific literature concerning this topic is vast. For instance, this systematic review and meta-analysis by Miikka Källström et al. indicates that five 15-minute sessions in an infrared sauna followed by half an hour of rest can have significant cardiovascular benefits.

Many other studies point to similar results. For example, this paper published by Joy Hussain and Marc Cohen assessed the clinical influence of infrared sauna bathing. They discovered that most participants experienced positive health effects after being in an infrared sauna for 15-30 minutes several times per week.

Infrared Sauna: How It Works Is Clear As Day Now

Due to the fact that they heat your body directly rather than the room, infrared saunas can be more effective. They reach deeper areas of your body to keep your heart, muscles, skin, and many other organs healthier.

Just make sure to stay hydrated and fresh before a session. For more tips on how to prepare for your infrared sauna bathing, contact your professional. Komowa Wellness has polite technicians who can guide you every step of the way and help you maximize the benefits.

Understanding How Infrared Saunas Work and Exploring Their Health Benefits