Infrared Sauna vs Traditional Sauna – Which is better?

For centuries, people have turned to heat therapy for its health benefits and purifying effects. Two of the most popular and effective types of heat therapy are infrared saunas and traditional saunas.

Saunas have a variety of purposes, including detoxing the body, relaxing after a long day at work and treating or preventing various health conditions. Studies have shown that regular sauna use can reduce chronic pain, improve moods and increase overall longevity. However, when deciding between infrared and traditional saunas, it’s important to consider the differences between the two and align the benefits with your personal preferences. This article will help you do exactly that. Let’s begin by understanding what a sauna is.

What is a Sauna?

Saunas are therapeutic and wood-lined rooms that harness the power of intense, dry heat. The heat generated in a sauna has been proven to have a variety of benefits, including relief from body aches and pains, detoxification and deep relaxation.

When you’re in a sauna, your body’s core temperature and pulse rate begin to increase, which increases blood circulation, dilates blood vessels and relaxes the nervous system.

Traditional Sauna Benefits

Traditional saunas have been recognised for thousands of years for their numerous health benefits. Here are some of the biggest benefits of traditional saunas:

1) Better Cardiovascular Health

Studies have shown that using a traditional sauna regularly can reduce the risk of cardiovascular health issues such as strokes and high blood pressure. Traditional saunas can also improve cardiorespiratory fitness and lower cholesterol levels.

2) Reduced Stress and Improved Mental Health

One of the biggest benefits of traditional saunas is stress reduction and improved mental health. The heat of a sauna has been proven to reduce stress levels, promote an overall sense of calm and even improve sleep quality.

3) Skin Health

Traditional sauna use can improve your skin health by facilitating better blood circulation, detoxifying the body through sweating and clearing pores. Since saunas are also proven stress-busters, they can also reduce the occurrence of stress-related skin issues.

Infrared Sauna Benefits

Unlike a traditional sauna, an infrared sauna does not directly heat the air around you. Instead, it uses infrared lamps and electromagnetic radiation to directly heat your body. There a numerous benefits of infrared saunas, including:

1) Better Blood Circulation

Infrared heat penetrates the body deeply, causing blood vessels to dilate more and improving overall body flow. This increased circulation can alleviate chronic pain caused by muscle soreness, arthritis, fibromyalgia and other ailments. Improved blood circulation also plays a key role in speeding up muscle recovery after intense physical activity like exercise.

2) Better Skin Health

Infrared saunas induce deep sweating, which flushes out harmful toxins and impurities from the body. Another benefit of infrared saunas is their ability to open skin pores, which can lead to clearer and more radiant skin. Moreover, infrared light has been shown to promote faster wound healing and may even reduce the appearance of scars.

3) Immune System Support

The increased body temperature during a visit to an infrared sauna can stimulate faster production of white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting infections and strengthening the immune system. Some even suggest that saunas can mimic the body’s response to a fever which can further improve immune function.

Infrared vs Traditional Sauna – Key Differences

The main difference between an infrared vs traditional sauna is the way they are heated and the temperature at which they are heated. Traditional saunas heat the air around your body to create a warm environment to raise body temperatures. Infrared saunas use infrared light to direct heat to the body.

Traditional sauna sessions are usually much shorter (15-20 minutes) than infrared sauna sessions, as the temperatures are more intense. In contrast, an infrared sauna can be enjoyed for up to 45 minutes as the temperature is lower and more tolerable.

Traditional saunas also typically consume more energy as they have to heat the air in the entire sauna room and maintain these temperatures for an extended period of time. Infrared saunas are generally more energy-efficient since they operate at lower temperatures and are easier to install and manage.

Which Sauna Should You Choose?

Ready to choose the right sauna for you? If you’re looking for improved circulation, weight loss, enhanced immune function, and detoxification–all with a gentler, longer-lasting heat–infrared saunas may be the perfect fit.

Incorporating infrared saunas into your weekly routine will allow you to take advantage of gentle, deep-penetrating heat that will improve your overall health and well-being.

City Cave offers holistic wellness services, including infrared sauna sessions, that can provide you with a well-deserved break from the stress of your day, help you with overall physical recovery and give you a mental reset. City Cave’s infrared sauna uses non-harmful heat to penetrate the skin deeply to enhance circulation, relax muscles and purify the skin.

FAQs

1) Which sauna burns more calories–infrared or traditional?

Infrared saunas are usually more effective for burning calories and can provide more sustainable weight loss. Infrared saunas are known for targeting fats and toxins. While traditional saunas are effective, they usually lead to more temporary weight loss results, usually from water weight.

2) Are infrared saunas safer than traditional saunas?

Infrared saunas are generally considered to be safer than traditional saunas. This is because they operate at lower temperatures and place less stress on the cardiovascular system.

3) Are there any risks associated with using a sauna?

Saunas are generally safe for most people. However, there are some potential risks like dehydration, overheating, cardiovascular complications and low blood pressure. Therefore, people with heart conditions or low blood pressure should consult a doctor before using a sauna.

4) How often should you use a sauna for the best results?

For the best health benefits, try to use a sauna 3-7 times per week at 15 to 20-minute intervals. Make sure you stay hydrated before and after using a sauna for the best results.