Infrared
Infrared (IR) is invisible radiant energy, electromagnetic radiation with longer wavelengths than those of visible light, extending from the nominal red edge of the visible spectrum at 700 nanometers (frequency 430 THz) to 1 mm (300 GHz) (although people can see infrared up to at l…
Fahrenheit
The Fahrenheit scale is a temperature scale based on one proposed in 1724 by Dutch–German–Polish physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit. It uses the degree Fahrenheit as the unit. Several accounts of how he originally defined his scale exist. The lower defining point, 0 ℉, wa…
What is the difference between infrared and regular sauna?
Traditional Saunas: A Snapshot
- Key differences: Traditional saunas heat the air first. Infrared saunas use infrared light to penetrate and heat the body directly. ...
- Infrared sauna benefits: Increased comfort Easier to use at home Less expensive to purchase
- Infrared sauna disadvantages: Limited research Possible marketing influence Potential electromagnetic field (EMF) risks
Is an infrared sauna better than a traditional sauna?
Traditional saunas tend to have more health benefits than infrared saunas, including the delay of early onset of Alzheimer’s, the amelioration of stiff arteries, and more, compared to an infrared sauna that is most known for its benefits to respiratory systems.
What is the best infrared sauna?
- HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket
- Infrared Sauna Blanket
- Infrared Portable Sauna Blanket
- Far Infrared Sauna Blanket
- Gizmo Supply 3 Zone Infrared FIR Sauna Blanket
- TOPQSC Sauna Blanket
Do infrared saunas have any health benefits?
The reported benefits of using an infrared sauna, including better sleep and relaxation, are impressive. Relief from sore muscles reportedly tops the list. But just like anything else, with the pros come the cons. Before you heat up, take note of these potential side effects and risks.
Why is infrared sauna better than normal sauna?
Unlike traditional saunas that use steam or dry heat to warm a room, infrared saunas use advanced infrared heaters to warm your body directly. As your body absorbs the infrared heat, this increases thermal energy, inducing a deep and relaxing sweat.
What is the healthiest type of sauna?
WINNER: INFRARED An infrared sauna provides a much milder temperature environment – between 120 to 150 degrees F. Additionally, the light of infrared saunas travels much deeper into the body, meaning they are to cause a more vigorous sweat, despite the lower (and more comfortable) temperature.
What are the dangers of infrared saunas?
While considered safe for most people, there are some risks associated with using an infrared sauna....Negative side effects of using an infrared saunamild to moderate heat discomfort.low blood pressure (hypotension)light-headedness.transient leg pain.airway irritation.
What's the difference between a sauna and an infrared sauna?
A traditional sauna heats the air around you to a degree that your body kickstarts its natural cooling process. This means bringing blood closer to the surface of the skin and opening the pores to release sweat. Infrared saunas emit a wavelength of light that your body absorbs without heating up the room around you.
Which is better dry sauna or infrared?
A few more advantages of infrared saunas over traditional dry saunas are that they are quicker and easier to use – simply plug it in and turn it on – and they emit less heat, which is more comfortable for most people, especially those who do not like the heat and heavy air of the traditional dry sauna.
Can you get vitamin D from infrared sauna?
In addition, many people are vitamin D deficient and don't even know it! Vitamin D is not only a building block in your immune system, but it is essential for bone, teeth, and skin health as well as reducing your risk of cancer! The infrared sauna boosts your Vitamin D levels naturally!
Are infrared saunas cancerous?
Skin cancer is not expected from exposure to IR. However, increased skin temperature can reduce DNA repair efficiency, and promote skin cancer that is initiated by other agents. Skin thickness may also increase due to repeated IR exposures.
Is it OK to infrared sauna every day?
There is no one answer for the amount of sessions per week, but infrared saunas are safe to use every day. In fact, you will see wellness improvements sooner if you use it daily. On average, most people partake in 30-45 minute sessions, 3-4 times a week.
What are the pros and cons of infrared sauna?
Though infrared saunas can provide a wealth of health benefits, for some individuals, there is a chance that exposure to the dry heat and infrared radiation can cause adverse health effects; most notably, cardiovascular issues and hypotension.
What type of sauna is better?
Far-infrared: Far-infrared wavelengths penetrate the most deeply past the skin and into the body, making far infrared saunas the preferred choice for many who are looking for the most powerful healing benefits.
Is buying an infrared sauna worth it?
Studies on athletes have shown faster healing with heat and so infrared saunas might be appropriate for use in conjunction with good nutrient intake, sleep, and massage. As an alternative to medication, one study suggests this could be one of the tools for people with chronic, difficult to treat pain.
Should you shower after infrared sauna?
Take A Warm Shower After. After every infrared sauna session, consider taking a warm shower. While it is generally recommended that taking a cold shower is better since it will close up pores and prevent dirt from infiltrating them, taking a hot shower also has its own benefits as well.
What type of sauna is better?
Far-infrared: Far-infrared wavelengths penetrate the most deeply past the skin and into the body, making far infrared saunas the preferred choice for many who are looking for the most powerful healing benefits.
Which is better dry or steam sauna?
The effects of heat are the same whether it's dry or moist, says Dr. Parikh. This means you'll still get the same benefits whether you sweat it out in a sauna or steam room. There is, however, one extra benefit to steam rooms for anyone who has respiratory problems like asthma or allergies.
Are infrared saunas good for health?
Infrared saunas are a hot health trend. Spas and gyms offer them to clients and suggest that they provide a wealth of benefits. You can also purchase your own infrared sauna for your home. Sauna proponents say regular use of infrared saunas helps with everything from blood pressure to weight loss.
Are dry saunas healthy?
Dry Saunas Improve Circulation and Heart Health Having an easy-to-use dry sauna in your home can improve your body's circulation. Regular sauna sessions help the inside layer of your blood vessels function and regulate blood pressure. The sweat speeds up circulation and leads to enhanced heart health.
How does an infrared sauna compare to a traditional sauna?
Key differences: Traditional saunas heat the air first. Infrared saunas use infrared light to penetrate and heat the body directly. Infrared saunas use less heat. Infrared sauna benefits: Increased comfort. Easier to use at home.
Why is infrared sauna so comfortable?
Increased comfort. Because the air inside an infrared sauna gets less hot, you may be able to spend more time inside with less discomfort. If you know that you have difficulty withstanding high levels of heat, this option may make it easier for you to reap the benefits of a longer sauna session.
How long does a sauna last?
Saunas vary in terms of their heating methods, temperatures, and features, but the general idea is the same. A sauna session can last anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. While you’re in the sauna, a number of different things are going on in your body.
How does a sauna work?
Conventional saunas work by heating the air in the sauna to high temperatures ranging from 176 to over 200 degrees F [ 15 ]. The air is heated first, followed by your skin, and eventually, your core body temperature increases. In comparison, infrared saunas work by emitting infrared radiation or light.
Why do people use saunas?
Saunas are used for various purposes, including detoxification, relaxation, and, increasingly, to help treat or prevent various health conditions. Studies have shown that regular sauna use can improve pain and mood, reduce the risk of developing heart disease and Alzheimer’s, and even increase longevity [ 1, 2, 3.
What temperature is an infrared sauna?
The range of heat used in infrared saunas is usually between 113 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit [ 15 ]. In other words, the highest temperature used in an infrared sauna is more than 30 degrees lower than the lowest temperature used in a traditional sauna.
What is sauna used for?
Saunas are used for various purposes, including detoxification, relaxation, and, increasingly, ...
How to tell the difference between infrared sauna and regular sauna?
You can tell the difference by the presence or absence of hot coals as the heat source, found in regular saunas. Regular saunas have to get much hotter than infrared saunas to do their jobs, because they heat the air first, which then indirectly heats the body by convection. Typically temperatures in dry saunas range from 170–200 degrees Fahrenheit. For those who are especially heat-sensitive, this may not be a viable option. It also is less energy-efficient, and therefore less cost-effective, for the same reason (which might be an issue for those looking to purchase and run their own saunas at home.)
How does an infrared sauna work?
By contrast, infrared saunas are heated by non-visible wavelengths of light (in the infrared part of the spectrum—hence the name). Infrared light penetrates about an inch and a half into the body, heating tissues directly, rather than heating the air first.
How hot is a dry sauna?
Typically temperatures in dry saunas range from 170–200 degrees Fahrenheit. For those who are especially heat-sensitive, this may not be a viable option.
Does sauna bathing help with cardiovascular disease?
Sauna bathing generally has its place in a lifestyle of longevity. This study shows a decrease in all cause mortality, including reduced risk of cardiovascular and congestive heart failure, and sudden cardiac death (and in fact, sauna’s cardiovascular effects are among its best established benefits). One theory for the reason for this is that sauna bathing improves cardiovascular function by making the vessels more flexible, improving blood pressure via vasodilation, and calms the autonomic nervous system.
Does sauna bathing help with dementia?
This study also shows that regular sauna bathing reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.
What is a traditional sauna?
Let’s start by talking about traditional saunas – what is a traditional sauna?
What is an infrared sauna?
An infrared sauna, on the other hand, is a much more modern invention.
Are there any other types of sauna?
Several other installations are also sometimes called “saunas”. For example, a steam room is sometimes referred to as a “wet” sauna – this is where you sit in a sealed room and steam is piped in raising the temperature and elevating the humidity to nearly 100%.
What are the benefits of using a sauna?
Saunas are part of an ancient Finnish tradition, and their health benefits have long been known, not least to the Finns.
Myth-busting
Before we finish, we also need to bust a couple of common myths because you can sometimes read claims about both types of sauna that are simply untrue but that are often repeated, usually by people trying to sell you a sauna.
Final words
So which should you go for? Both types of saunas are enjoyable to use and both have their associated advantages and disadvantages – and both offer many benefits for health.
What is an infrared sauna?
An infrared sauna, sometimes called a far infrared sauna or simply an IR sauna, is a wooden or plastic box which uses infrared ceramic, Incoloy, or carbon panel heaters to emit far-infrared light. This light is then absorbed by the skin’s cells, which experiences it as radiant heat - causing the person to become warmer and sweat.
What are the benefits of infrared saunas?
The established clinical benefits both infrared and traditional saunas can provide include improvements for cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid diseases, and chronic fatigue and pain syndromes; along with a positive influence on exercise performance, skin moisture barrier properties, and muscle recovery [3].
How many people can fit in an infrared sauna?
Infrared saunas are usually much smaller than other saunas and can usually only accommodate between one and four individuals.
What is the difference between a Finnish sauna and an infrared sauna?
First things first, what is the difference between a traditional Finnish sauna and an infrared sauna? A traditional Finnish sauna is a wooden room or structure that uses heated stones and water to create a hot and humid atmosphere capable of providing a number of health benefits. This room is often large enough to accommodate a number of people but ultimately can be built to be any size.
How far back can a sauna be found?
The traditional sauna’s history stretches back an impressive distance of around 10,000 years. Even in the UK, saunas have been found that can be dated as far back as Neolithic times; an example of one such sauna can be found at Marden henge in Wiltshire.
How long do you stay in an infrared sauna?
Also, unlike in a traditional sauna, where bathers come in and out repeatedly in short sessions of up to 10 minutes, infrared sauna bathers typically remain in the sauna constantly for up to 45 minutes due to the much lower temperatures.
What is the radiation used in saunas?
Most notably, although the infrared sauna is defined exclusively by its use of far-infrared radiation, all saunas produce this radiation as a by-product of the energy input needed to generate the heat they use, and often in higher quantities [2].
Why is infrared sauna better than steam sauna?
In my mine, there’s is a clear winner. Why? Purely because of the temperature difference of heat. The lower and more relaxed heat from the infrared sauna compared to the higher heats of the steam sauna tend to be better and easier on the body. For anyone who may have issues with breathing may find the infrared sauna easier than the steam, again because of the heat differences. Also the heat plays a massive part in how long your prepared to stay in the sauna. You can tolerate the infrared heat for much longer than the steam heat. Hence getting more benefits from the longer use.
What is an infrared sauna?
What is an infrared sauna? An infrared sauna is a room that is wood based. It heats the body through infrared heat or rays as opposed to a steam sauna that works on really high heat and or moisture. The infrared rays, especially far infrared rays penetrate into the skin and heat the body in a natural way. To give you an idea, the sun gives off infrared rays, so it is a form of natural heat that is perfectly ok for our body. The difference is the UV rays. Infrared heat doesn’t produce UV rays. That’s why infrared health is so much better.
What is a steam sauna?
What is a steam sauna? The regular steam sauna is made differently that the infrared sauna. It’s made with non-porous materials. Materials like glass and tile, as it needs to be airtight for it to work effectively. The steam sauna heats the body through the use of very high heat and humidity. The water of the sauna need to boil for you to get the steam, thus creating an environment full of moisture.
How does infrared sauna work?
The infrared sauna releases infrared heat that creates a warm and relaxing feel. The infrared heat improves circulation throughout the body, and helps to ease or relieve pain. This is achieved by the moderate heat and the low humidity temps. Other health benefits include, detoxing the body and weight loss, both of these benefit play a massive part in getting you back to enjoying life to the fullest.
What is the difference between a sauna and a steam room?
The big difference is the dry and wet heat. The infrared sauna produces the dry heat and the steam produces the wet heat.
Does infrared sauna help with cellulite?
One of the attractions that come with an infrared sauna, is the ability to experience weight loss with consistent weekly use. The loss of weight is due to the way the infrared sauna is heated. The extraction of toxins through solid sweating as well as increased metabolic rates all help in the process of burning those extra calories. Which will in tune allow you to experience some weight loss, doing this will also help with the improvement of cellulite.
Is a steam sauna good for you?
A steam sauna has the benefit of high heat and humidity that can be an ideal environment for some health related benefits. Because the heat has a lot of humidity in it, this is very different to the infrared sauna, hence different health benefits. Let’s take a look.
What is the difference between a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna?
A traditional sauna is a wooden room or structure that uses heated stones and water to create a hot and humid atmosphere that provides several health benefits. This room is often large enough to accommodate many people but ultimately can be built to be any size.
Types of Saunas
Whether you go to a spa, the gym, or are one proud owner of a home sauna; there are different types of dry heat saunas.
HOME SAUNAS
Home Saunas are becoming a trend these days very much. Their design and technological advancement continue to improve, so installing one in your home today with simple DIY home sauna kits or portable saunas is much simpler.
Infrared Sauna's Heat vs Traditional Sauna Heat
Infrared heat is light on a spectrum that our eyes can't see. Yet, not being able to see it doesn't mean we can't experience it. When the infrared light reaches our body, we perceive it as heat. For example, if you get out into direct sunlight then step into the shade, you'll notice that you feel hotter in the direct sunshine.
SO WHICH IS THE RIGHT SAUNA FOR ME?
People have been using saunas for thousands of years. This was long before we had electricity or knew that something named a photon ever existed. Largely it's agreed that heat exposure has proven to be one of the most powerful tools in maintaining personal health and improving strength training and endurance.
WHAT IS AN INFRARED SAUNA?
This is a cabin made of natural wood, mainly softwood, resistant to high temperatures. It contains carbon heaters that emit infrared heat waves. The range of heatwaves is selected in such a way that they in no way can harm a person. Infrared waves heat objects, but they do not heat the air in the sauna.
BENEFITS OF THE INFRARED SAUNA
The regular sauna heats the body inwards while the modern infrared alternative heats the body from the inside. The rays reach deep within the body and affect more organs.
WHAT IS A TRADITIONAL DRY SAUNA?
Traditional dry saunas rely on a physical source of heat, typically a stove. It could be wood-burning or electric. The air humidity is minimal (20-30%) while the air temperature can reach more than 100℃.
BENEFITS OF THE TRADITIONAL DRY SAUNA
The high temperature of the dry sauna produces a pore opening process, allowing toxins to leave the body.
DISADVANTAGES
Infrared radiation can also have a negative effect if the procedure is abused. Or, when you visit the sauna during illness, against the advice or without consulting your doctor. An increase in the time spent in the booth can lead to overloading of the heart muscles and dehydration of the body.
ADVANTAGES OF AN INFRARED SAUNA COMPARED TO A TRADITIONAL DRY SAUNA
Quick preparation - about five minutes. The duration of the procedure from the moment of changing clothes to taking a shower is about 40 minutes. In many salons, the service is called the “lunch break procedure”.
FINAL WORDS
Despite the clear differences, both traditional sauna and infrared sauna serve the same purpose. Both will have a positive impact on your body and health. Yet, research has proven that infrared does enhance these typical benefits.
