What are the Pros and Cons of Infrared Sauna?
PROS: Lower Heat Intensity, Better Results & Lower Cost.
CONS: Heat Discomfort & Dehydration.
The main pros of infrared saunas are – they are much more comfortable to use, they achieve better results, and they are more affordable and cost-efficient to run. The main cons of infrared sauna are they can cause heat discomfort to people sensitive to heat, can cause dehydration, and should be avoided when feeling sick or hungover.
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF INFRARED SAUNA?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of infrared sauna? Let’s take a look in a little more detail. Below we summarize the key pros and cons of infrared sauna.
ADVANTAGES OF INFRARED SAUNA
MORE COMFORTABLE HEAT LEVEL
Infrared saunas are much more comfortable to use compared to a traditional sauna. Because they use infrared light energy, they run at lower temperatures to achieve the same results.
Infrared saunas heat the body directly and typically run at 120°F. Traditional saunas heat the air around the body to a super high 190°F. Many people find this level of heat oppressive.
BETTER RESULTS
Another advantage of an infrared sauna is they tend to achieve better results. This is down to the fact that people can stay in them longer due to the more comfortable heat level compared to a traditional sauna.
Longer sessions mean better health benefits. The effects of the sauna are allowed more time to have an impact on your body.
DEEP HEAT PENETRATION
Infrared saunas use infrared light energy to heat the body. This form of heat penetrates the skin and heats your body from the inside. It is a very effective way to heat the body.
On the other hand, traditional saunas heat the air around your body. This hot air then heats the surface of your skin. This method does not have the same deep heat penetration.
CARDIOVASCULAR ACTIVITY
Infrared saunas quickly heat your body right to the core. This triggers an increase in your heart rate – ‘cardiovascular activity.
As your body heats up your cardiovascular system increases its work rate and pumps more oxygen-rich and nutrient-rich blood around your body. This boosts healing and recovery.
INTENSE SWEATING & DETOX
Infrared saunas are great for quickly working up an intense sweat. And, because they don’t use oppressive heat, you can sit in for longer.
All this sweating is great for your skin and for detoxing your body. As your pores open, sweat droplets push through your skin and flush out toxins and grime. This process helps detox your body and deep clean your skin.
PAIN RELIEF
Infrared saunas use infrared light energy to heat your body. This light penetrates your skin and heats your body right to the core.
The deeply penetrating heat of infrared saunas works wonders for warming and soothing tired muscles and stiff joints. Infrared sauna is an excellent choice for muscle and joint pain relief.
ENERGY EFFICIENT
Infrared saunas are incredibly efficient in terms of energy consumption. They run at much lower temperatures compared to traditional saunas because they heat the body directly and not the air inside the sauna.
The cost of using your infrared sauna will depend on the cost of electricity from your provider. But, on average a one-person infrared sauna consumes just 20 cents of electricity per hour.
COMPACT & CONVENIENT
Another key advantage of infrared saunas is their compact size and ease of use. Infrared sauna offers alternatives to the standard sauna cabin layout – which can take up a lot of space in your home.
When it comes to infrared saunas you can choose from a range of more affordable, more compact, and more convenient sauna types, including sauna blankets, infrared heating mats, and sauna tents.
RELAXATION
Infrared saunas are great for relaxation. Even a short 15-minute session can draw a line under a long and stressful day and leave you feeling calm and relaxed.
They are a great tool for encouraging a restful night’s sleep and are often used just before bedtime. Infrared saunas are a great way to relieve stress and leave the working day behind you.
HEALTH BENEFITS
The health benefits of infrared sauna revolve around its ability to stimulate cardiovascular activity and trigger an intense sweat. This increases the levels of blood circulating the body and helps detox your system.
Aside from detox, skin cleansing, and boosted cardio – infrared saunas are regularly used to ease muscle and joint pain, and to speed up workout recovery. For more information on the health benefits of infrared sauna, see below.
CHECK OUT
• THE BEST INFRARED SAUNAS 2024
DISADVANTAGES OF INFRARED SAUNA
HEAT DISCOMFORT
Infrared saunas get hot. If you are sensitive to heat they may not be a good choice for you. Sitting in an infrared sauna will increase your body temperature, trigger an intense sweat, and raise your heart rate.
If you are sensitive to increased heat levels it may be an unpleasant environment for you. Infrared saunas typically operate at a temperature of 120°F, while traditional saunas run at 190°F.
DEHYDRATION
When you use a sauna you have to be careful not to become dehydrated. Dehydration affects the body when it loses water and can have a serious negative impact on your health.
The best way to stay safely hydrated is to drink water before you enter the sauna, continue to sip water while inside, and drink water after you finish. For more information you can see our guide – How Much Water Should I Drink In The Sauna?
AVOID WHEN SICK OR HUNGOVER
A key disadvantage of infrared sauna is that you should avoid using them when you’re sick or feeling hungover. In fact, this applies to all types of sauna – infrared and traditional sauna.
If you feel sick, hungover, of just under the weather you should avoid using a sauna. Your body is already under strain and you don’t want to add to this by exposing it to a sweat session. Wait until you recover, then you can safely enjoy the sauna experience again.
UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS
If you have an underlying health condition that may impact your ability to use a sauna safely, you should avoid using a sauna.
If you have an underlying health condition or have any concerns at all, you should consult a medical professional before using a sauna. It’s better to err on the side of caution than run the risk of a health complication.
EMF LEVELS
All electrical devices emit EMF. Infrared saunas are no exception. EMF stands for electromagnetic field. Any device that is plugged into an electrical socket will generate an EMF.
Take a look at the infrared sauna you plan to buy or use and check its EMF rating. Has it been tested for EMF safety? Does its EMF fall within an acceptable range?
WHAT IS AN INFRARED SAUNA?
An infrared sauna is a type of sauna that uses infrared light to gently heat the body. They heat the body directly without heating the air inside the cabin.
Infrared light is a safe form of heat energy and should not be confused with harmful UV rays. Infrared light is used to gently warm newborn babies in maternity wards.
The light penetrates the skin and heats the body from the inside. They are a great way to heat the body right to the core and work up an intense sweat.
Infrared saunas are affordable, compact, and convenient. They are highly energy-efficient compared to traditional Finnish saunas or steam rooms.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF INFRARED SAUNA?
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
A great advantage of infrared sauna is that it’s great for a cardiovascular workout. In minutes, it will boost your heart rate and you’ll soon feel the benefits of increased levels of blood being pumped around your body.
DETOX
Another key health benefit of infrared sauna is its detoxifying effect on the body. The sweating process helps flush out harmful toxins that have accumulated inside the body. For more, see our guide – Infrared Sauna & Detoxification.
SKIN CLEANSING
It’s also great for your skin. The intense sweat you experience inside an infrared sauna will help provide a deep clean to the pores of your skin as sweat droplets push dirt and grime to the surface of your skin.
RELAXATION
Infrared saunas are great for relaxation. They have a soothing and calming effect on the mind and are a great way to unwind after a long day. It’s sauna time!
JOINTS & MUSCLES
The deep penetrating heat of an infrared sauna is great for stiff joints and sore muscles. Infrared light heats the body to the core and is regularly used for joint and muscle pain relief.
THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS
Infrared sauna is used to treat the symptoms of many chronic conditions including Lyme Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis & Eczema, and many more.
For more information, see – Health Benefits of Infrared Sauna.
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- SAUNA VS STEAM ROOM – click here
- ORIGINS OF SAUNA – click here
- HOT SAUNA BEFORE OR AFTER WORKOUT? – click here
- PROS & CONS OF INFRARED SAUNA BLANKET – click here
- ESSENTIAL OILS & SAUNA – click here
- DOES SAUNA DAMAGE YOUR HAIR – click here
About the Author
AMY SHAFER
• Allied Health Specialist
Meet Amy, a dedicated advocate of sport, fitness, and the application of infrared sauna therapy. Originally from Texas, she moved to the Sunshine State at an early age. Growing up in the Tampa Bay area, she enrolled in the University of Tampa where she graduated with a BS Degree in Allied Health and a MS in Athletic Training.
Amy’s expertise lies in infrared sauna therapy, with a special focus on the synergistic effects of infrared sauna in combination with traditional therapies. She has a passion for exploring and developing innovative approaches to wellness enhancement and injury recovery.
Amy began her journey as a swimming coach at the YMCA Aquatic Center in Central Florida. Here she developed a passion for applying her sporting knowledge to help individuals achieve their goals. Transitioning to a role more closely aligned with her allied health and athletic training degrees, she delved into the field of infrared sauna therapy. She has been instrumental in pioneering the use of infrared sauna in rehabilitation and injury recovery.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Amy is actively involved in a community-based soup kitchen where she helps support her local homeless community. In her free time, she enjoys cycling and exploring her local national parks, including Biscayne Park, Big Cypress, and the Everglades.
The warmeth of infrared feels much nicer on the skin. Like a warm glow.
Infrared sauna is much more efficient than a traditional sauna. If you want to keep your utility bill down go for an infrared sauna. Lots of money savings!!