What are the health benefits of a sauna blanket? The key benefits of using an infrared sauna blanket are system detox, deep relaxation, enhanced circulation, skin cleansing, pain relief, and muscle recovery. Below we cover everything you need to know about infrared sauna blanket health benefits.
Infrared Sauna Blanket Health Benefits
Infrared sauna blankets have recently become one of the most popular wellness and home spa devices. Their popularity centers around their potential to boost health, encourage deep relaxation, detox the body, and stimulate recovery.
Below we take a look at the potential health benefits of using a sauna blanket. A deep dive into why they have become so popular. And, explain how you can introduce one into your daily wellness routine.
Note, while there is some scientific research and evidence supporting the potential health benefits of infrared sauna blankets, the field is still developing, and more studies are needed to establish definitive conclusions. The benefits below should be considered ‘potential’ health benefits.
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Sweating Is Key
When it comes to sauna blanket health benefits – sweating is key. When you spend time relaxing in an infrared sauna blanket you’re going to work up an intense sweat. And, this is great news for your body. Sweating is a natural process that plays a crucial role in maintaining the body’s internal balance. It helps control temperature and plays an important role in removing waste and toxins from the body. And, it’s believed to play a role in boosting skin health, stimulating the immune system, and enhancing cardiovascular activity.
System Detox
Another great potential health benefit of a sauna blanket is system detox. And, this is thanks to its due to its ability to induce an all-over body deep sweat. As your body heats up, your pores open and this allows the release of toxins and impurities from beneath the skin.
Sweating allows pollutants and contaminants such as metabolic waste to escape through the skin as sweat droplets push their way to the surface. Note, all fluids that are lost due to sweating must be replaced to prevent dehydration. We advise sipping water when using an infrared sauna blanket.
Relaxation & Stress Relief
One of the most popular health benefits of an infrared sauna blanket is its ability to induce deep relaxation and relieve stress. Heat therapy is great for promoting muscle relaxation, alleviating tension, and calming the mind. That’s relaxation for mind AND body.
In fact, many people like to use one after a long stressful day or before going to bed. They are a great tool for clearing the mind and allowing yourself to completely unwind and leave the stresses of the day behind you.
Improved Circulation
Using an infrared sauna blanket is believed to enhance circulation by producing a gentle heat that dilates blood vessels and promotes efficient blood flow. As the body warms up, blood vessels expand, and this increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. However, more research is needed to support this belief and gather the data to back up these claims.
Skin Cleansing
Skin cleansing is another key sauna blanket health benefit. Again, this is directly related to the sweating process. When you sweat, tiny droplets of water are pushed through the surface of the skin. And, this has the effect of performing a deep clean of your skin tissue. Toxins and contaminants are flushed to the surface of the skin and can be washed away in the shower. It also acts as a natural exfoliation method, helping remove dead skin cells and promote a refreshed and healthy appearance.
Pain Relief
Another popular health benefit is pain relief. The deep penetrating heat of an infrared sauna blanket is often used to provide temporary pain relief. They are often used to ease muscle tension, cramps, period pains, and joint pain. Many people find the absorption of intense heat effectively relieves a wide range of everyday aches and pains.
Muscle Recovery
Sauna blankets may also speed up muscle recovery. We’ve already explained how their gentle heating process increases cardiovascular activity and relieves pain. And, with all the increased nutrients and oxygen flowing to the heated area, they can be used to enhance and speed up muscle recovery. Great news for athletes and anyone who needs some help recovering from an intense workout routine.
Weight Loss
What about weight loss? No, sauna blankets are not an effective tool for long-term weight loss. They do not help you burn calories and reduce body fat. Instead, they trigger an intense sweat which will result in a minor loss in water weight. However, all water lost through sweating must be replaced rapidly to prevent dehydration. It’s just a temporary side effect of using an infrared sauna blanket. For more see our full guide on sauna blankets and weight loss.
Staying Safe
Safety is paramount when using any heating device. And, a sauna blanket is no different. You should practice some basic safety steps to make sure you remain safe when using your blanket. These include, see below.
- Seek Professional Medical Advice – before you begin, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions or are pregnant.
- Do Not Stay in Too Long – to prevent overheating.
- Avoid Overheating – do not allow yourself to become uncomfortably hot.
- Stay Hydrated – continue to sip water to replace any fluids lost due to sweating. For more see Sauna Blanket Safety.
How Does a Sauna Blanket Work?
Using a sauna blanket is incredibly easy. All you have to do is roll it out on a heat-resistant flat surface, plug it in, and turn it on. Choose your preferred heat setting and allow some time for the blanket to reach the desired temperature. When ready, climb inside, relax, and let the gentle heat get to work.
You’ll need to dress appropriately when using a sauna blanket. This means your body should be clothed to prevent direct contact with the hot internal surface. You’ll need to wear a long-sleeved top, full-length bottoms, and some lightweight socks. For more, see our full guide on what to wear in a sauna blanket.
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About the Author
MAGNUS KARLSSON (BSc, MSc)
• Senior Editor at Home Sauna Heaven
As a native Swede, Magnus developed a deep fascination with the art of sauna bathing from an early age. Born and raised in the picturesque landscapes of Småland Sweden, he grew up in a family where sauna was deeply embedded in the community and daily routine. He graduated from Linnaeus University with a Master of Science in Health Science with a special focus on the “Comparative Analysis of Traditional Saunas vs. Infrared Saunas”.
Moving to the United States in his late twenties, Magnus worked as a health and fitness advisor in a well-known spa and wellness retreat in Malibu California. Over the next 12 years he became the spa’s leading sauna consultant and mentored colleagues on the benefits and applications of sauna therapy.
In 2019 he relocated to Florida to open his own wellness retreat in the Tampa Bay area. Here he continues to inspire others with the restorative power of sauna therapy. In 2020, he became senior editor of Home Sauna Heaven where he shares his deep understanding of infrared sauna and offers expert advice on its applications, benefits, and periodic product reviews.
