When it comes to saunas, various types offer unique health benefits, but infrared saunas are often considered the healthiest option.
Health Benefits
Saunas, with their dry heat, are renowned for improving circulation, promoting detoxification through sweat, and inducing muscle relaxation. On the other hand, steam rooms excel in respiratory benefits, providing relief for conditions like asthma and sinus congestion due to the moist, steam-filled air.
User Experience: The experience in an infrared sauna is generally drier and more tolerable for those who prefer less intense heat. Steam rooms offer a moist heat experience, which can feel more enveloping and intense due to the high humidity.
The reason infrared is far superior when it comes to healing and detox. The infrared heat penetrates deep into the tissue, delivering a far superior healing experience when compared to the steam sauna that is a more shallow and superficial experience. It is a dry heat.
Far infrared light has antimicrobial properties that help prevent the growth of mold, bacteria, and viruses, making infrared saunas not only easier to clean and maintain but also a healthier choice.
One of the most common questions we get asked is, "Can I sauna every day?" The short answer is yes, it can be safe for most people to sauna daily. However, it's important to keep a few things in mind, like how long you stay in and any health conditions you might have.
The use of infrared saunas should be avoided by anyone who is predisposed to bleeding. An individual who has a fever should not use an infrared sauna until the fever subsides. An individual with insensitivity to heat should not use an infrared 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.
Rogan's has shared very publicly that he utilizes both traditional and infrared sauna types.
An infrared radiator can be easily integrated into almost any shower and turns an existing shower into an infrared cabin at the same time, without taking up any more space.
Infrared saunas, with their deeper heating, offer more sustainable weight loss, targeting fats and toxins. Traditional saunas, while effective, often lead to temporary weight loss results, primarily from water weight.
If you're new to using a sauna, it's best to start with shorter sessions of 15 to 20 minutes. You can gradually increase the duration as your body gets used to the infrared heat. Typically, experienced infrared sauna users enjoy sessions between 30 to 45 minutes, aiming to maximise the potential benefits and comfort.
The answer largely depends on your personal preference and wellness goals. Some experts suggest starting with the sauna to induce a deep sweat and kickstart the detoxification process. Following this with a steam room session can then help to hydrate the skin and relax the muscles.
A wet sauna will cause one to sweat more than a dry sauna because much more sweat evaporates in a dry sauna. If the heat indexes are equal. [Heat index is a formulaic combination of temperature and humidity].
Infrared saunas appear to have the therapeutic most benefits for frequent sauna use. Infrared radiation penetrates deeper into the body, promoting relaxation, improved circulation, pain relief, and detoxification. Not only that, but they are easier and less expensive to operate than a steam sauna.
Numerous studies point to the health benefits of infrared saunas in particular. Proven benefits of infrared saunas include relieving stress, lowering blood pressure, relieving muscle and joint pain, and maintaining cardiovascular health.
A far infrared sauna, as its name suggests, only emits far infrared heat. A full spectrum sauna, on the other hand, emits all three levels of infrared heat (i.e., near, mid, and far).
Are There Any Dangers to Infrared Saunas? If used improperly or excessively, infrared saunas can lead to dehydration, overheating, and even burns. Certain medical conditions might make them unsafe. Consult your doctor beforehand.
Both infrared and traditional saunas promote detoxification through sweating. However, infrared saunas often allow for longer, more comfortable sessions at lower temperatures, which some believe might lead to more gradual detoxification.
The longer the room temperature stays above 35 degrees Celsius, the more (permanent) damage will be done. Also, remember that infrared saunas achieve heat intensities of 45-60 degrees Celsius (113 - 140 F). With those temperatures, you'll be killing your phone over time.
Relax, recover, refresh
Cooling off after the sauna is important because you can catch a cold if you sweat too much. Sauna-goers should leave enough time to cool down before warming up again. If you can, don't have a shower straight after the sauna. It's better for the body if you cool off in the fresh air first.
Knowing how long to sit in sauna for benefits is crucial to ensuring safe and effective results. While the optimal duration may vary depending on individual factors and sauna types, a general guideline of 15-30 minutes per session, 2-4 times per week, is a good starting point.
A post-exercise sauna session may be beneficial if you aim to enhance athletic performance or recover from intense workouts. On the other hand, scheduling a sauna session in the evening might be more suitable if you seek relaxation, stress reduction, or improved sleep.