Discover the Surprising Health Benefits of Infrared Sauna Therapy

Infrared saunas are the latest trend in wellness and self-care. And they promise so much more than relaxation. Unlike conventional saunas, which heat the air, infrared saunas use infrared light bulbs to warm the body directly.

This article will look into the advantages of infrared sauna and the scientific reasons behind the proposed health benefits, as well as provide tips for safe infrared sauna use. And it’ll be useful no matter if you’re new to saunas or have been using them for some time already.

How Infrared Saunas Work

Infrared saunas can give you much deeper warmth with the infrared lights that directly heat the body. This is different from traditional saunas that heat the air. Infrared waves penetrate 1.5 - 2 inches into the skin and muscles for a more profound sweat at lower air temperatures.

While regular saunas can reach temperatures of around 212°F, infrared saunas don’t usually exceed 140 degrees, which is great for those who can’t handle the extreme heat of a normal sauna. So, if you’re wondering what a sauna is good for while wanting to avoid unbearable heat and humidity, give an infrared sauna a try.

Health Benefits of Using an Infrared Sauna

Is infrared sauna good for you? There are numerous claims of benefits of IR sauna beyond relaxation, like deep detoxification that purifies the body or possible improvements in cardiovascular health and relief from chronic pain. Let’s see what a sauna can do for you.

Detoxification

An infrared sauna’s direct heating of the body leads to deeper and more intense sweating, which might help flush out some toxins that the human body is exposed to during everyday activities. The sweat produced during infrared sauna visits could contain these harmful substances at higher concentrations than physical exercise or traditional saunas.

This improved detoxification might even cleanse the body at a cellular level, which gives a boost to overall health and vitality. Mayo Clinic notes that infrared saunas generate the same reactions of sweating and increased heart rate as traditional saunas but at lower temperatures, making them suitable for those sensitive to heat.

Cardiovascular Health

Infrared saunas help the cardiovascular system. Harvard Health tells of a study of 2,300 middle-aged men, which found that regular use of saunas means lower death rates from cardiovascular disease and stroke. Men who used a sauna two to three times a week had a 38% lower risk compared to 49% for those once a week.

There was also a remarkable 31% risk reduction in those using it four to seven times a week. According to the researchers, it lowers blood pressure, and there are good reasons to believe that its effects are good for blood vessels and improve cholesterol levels, reduce high blood pressure, and manage diabetes risks. The infrared sauna heat can give the heart rate a boost, similar to exercise, thus increasing circulation and being beneficial for cardiovascular health.

Pain Relief

Infrared saunas are natural anodynes. The primary benefits of infrared sauna therapy show through direct heating of the body, where infrared light penetrates joints, muscles, and tissues to increase circulation and oxygen flow while reducing nerve soreness.

There are good reasons to assert that infrared saunas mitigate some chronic pain like sports injuries, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and arthritis. After one session, patients could experience a nearly 70% reduction in the feeling of chronic pain. Medical research showed that NIR heat infrared therapy aids white blood cell production to reduce inflammation and swelling. People with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and CFS can also feel an improvement: many patients reported reduced pain and fatigue as their main infrared sauna benefits.

Stress and Relaxation

Unlike traditional saunas, infrared saunas use lamps to directly warm your body. This direct heat produces a deeper relaxation as the heat reaches the body’s tissues.

The infrared heat has a calming effect on the nervous system, reducing cortisol levels, which means less anxiety. Likewise, taking time for oneself, being in a comfortable environment, and allowing the body to relax can be therapeutic. The warmth from the sauna can ease nerves, muscles, and tension throughout the body, which can be especially beneficial after a long day or during extra stressful times.

Products that cater to your every need, like Komowa Wellness, is why infrared sauna could be your great escape from the pains of everyday life.

Skin Health

Infrared lamps transmit warmth directly to the body, penetrating deeper into the skin. The increased sweat that comes from infrared saunas washes away dirt, oils, and dead cells from the skin’s surface. It also boosts blood flow to help your body deliver more essential nutrients to the skin and give it a healthier, nourished glow.

It may also aid with conditions like acne, psoriasis, and dermatitis. While there is limited research on infrared saunas’ effects on psoriasis, it could help reduce symptoms.

Weight Loss and Metabolism

Infrared saunas are gaining popularity for infrared benefits in aiding weight loss along with relaxation, though losing weight with a sauna shouldn’t be something you make into a primary method.

As the body works to cool itself during a session, heart rate and metabolic rate increase, ultimately helping burn more calories. Manufacturers who design these infrared lamps claim that 80% of the heat from these saunas goes directly to the body, leading to a greater calorie burn.

Weight loss from a single session is mainly water weight loss. Regular sessions may promote a sustained metabolic boost, but could also lead to a false sense of losing weight masked by dehydration. While they can support a weight loss regimen, infrared saunas shouldn’t replace a balanced diet and exercise.

Improved Circulation

Why infrared sauna could help your heart? According to Mayo Clinic, infrared saunas’ direct heat increases blood flow and has many benefits, such as delivering more oxygen to muscles and other tissues for improved recovery, better flushing of toxins from the body, and improved temperature regulation. Regular use of infrared saunas can maintain these sauna health benefits. However, as with anything else wellness-related, it’s best to consult your doctor first.

Immune System Boost

Infrared saunas generate heat that can have a remarkable effect on the immune system. As the body is exposed to the infrared, its core temperature rises, leading to something like an artificial fever. This triggers the body’s defense mechanism which makes it produce more white blood cells and killer T-cells.

Increased temperature also improves circulation and enables faster detoxification, which further bolsters the immune system’s infection-fighting powers.

Scientific Evidence

Is infrared sauna healthy? Let’s look at the science. Infrared saunas, being cooler than regular ones, are fit for those who find traditional saunas too intense. Studies have suggested a number of potential therapeutic effects, including treating high blood pressure, heart failure, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, headaches, type 2 diabetes, and arthritis.

However, infrared saunas are comparatively new and thus not as studied as traditional ones. So, more comprehensive studies need to verify these findings.

No adverse effects have been reported with infrared saunas, and sources like the Mayo Clinic and Healthline acknowledge the potential benefits of red light sauna and its safety. For those who want relaxation or potential health improvements, infrared saunas like Komowa Wellness may be worth their precious time.

Comparison with Traditional Saunas

Infrared saunas use infrared light to directly heat the body, usually at temperatures between 100°F and 150°F. This makes you sweat more intensely than traditional saunas, which can be used for detoxification, relaxation, pain relief, weight loss, and improved circulation, but at lower air temperatures.

Traditional saunas, or dry heat saunas, as they sometimes go by, are heated with wood, electricity, or gas and operate at higher temperatures than steam rooms — typically between 150°F and 185°F. This warmer environment can help rid the body of toxins, promote relaxation and stress relief, aid those with respiratory issues by opening airways and relieving congestion, cleanse the skin and open pores, and improve blood flow and circulation.

The main differences between infrared saunas and traditional saunas are the heat source, temperature range, and heat penetration. Traditional saunas use a heated air source, while infrared saunas emit infrared light. Infrared saunas generally operate at lower temperatures but offer deeper infrared sauna heat penetration into the skin. Steam rooms are similar to traditional saunas, which can incorporate steam, whereas infrared saunas do not.

Safety and Precautions

You want to use an IR sauna safely to get the most infrared sauna benefits to improve your health. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after the session, and limit your time to 15-30 minutes. Avoid alcohol before and immediately after using a sauna, and always speak to your doctor first if you have any underlying medical conditions or are taking medications. Listen to your body, and you can enjoy the many benefits of infrared saunas.

Cool down gradually after you’re done using the sauna and avoid sudden temperature changes. Those could make you feel dizzy or even cause severe reactions. If something doesn’t feel right, stop and cool down. Check with a doctor before going into a sauna if you’re pregnant or have certain health conditions. Keep saunas clean by showering before entering and sitting on a towel while inside. Don’t touch the heaters directly, and supervise children and the elderly when they use the sauna for short durations.

Conclusion: Why Infrared Sauna Is Good for You

So then, what does an infrared sauna do for your body and why is infrared sauna better? IR saunas have swept over the wellness world due to their unique approach to heat therapy. These saunas directly heat the body with infrared light, potentially providing a number of health benefits that may be even more powerful than traditional ones – from aiding detoxification and improving cardiovascular health to relieving chronic pain and boosting skin health.

While there’s evidence advocating for infrared saunas, they don’t completely surpass regular ones. Safety and precautions should stay on your mind when using an infrared sauna, such as staying hydrated and consulting healthcare professionals.

If you’re new to infrared saunas, start with short sessions and increase gradually. Stay hydrated before, during, and after to make up for sweat loss. Always listen to your body and prioritize comfort.