Whether you want better blood flow, skin rejuvenation, pain relief, or even improved cardiovascular health, adding a sauna heater to the mix can be great for your wellness routine.

In fact, there are numerous benefits of sauna bathing. Ans the best part is that it only takes 15-20 minutes a few times per week to see improvements to your personal health. However, there are a couple of different types of saunas to be aware of, namely, infrared sauna vs. traditional sauna.

Understanding the key differences between both is important to get the maximum benefits.

The Difference Between Traditional Steam Saunas and Infrared Saunas  

When comparing infrared sauna vs. traditional sauna, it’s important to note that both of these methods of heat therapy have unique advantages. However, they differ in their heat dispersal as well as their overall impacts on the body.

Temperature Ranges of Each Sauna Type  

Traditional saunas and infrared saunas have differing ranges in heat intensity. As a result, these forms of heat therapy have separate ranges you need to know about.

How Traditional Steam Saunas Work  

Conventional saunas use a heater to warm and prepare the air for a sauna bathing session. They often reach temperatures of 150 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit. Many people may not have the heat tolerance for this kind of temperature.

How Infrared Saunas Work  

Conversely, the infrared sauna experience uses infrared light to warm your body directly. Moreover, it operates at a cooler temperature range, 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. While still intense, this range is closer to our ideal temperature.

Health Benefits of Saunas  

As we explore the concept of infrared sauna vs. traditional sauna, one of the main results we’re looking for are the health benefits of sauna use.

Studies have shown that regular sauna sessions can be beneficial for both your physical and mental health. In fact, one study revealed that men who regularly used saunas reduced their risk of Alzheimer’s by as much as 65%! Here are a few other advantages to consider.

Cardiovascular Benefits  

The traditional sauna experience quickens your heart rate because of the extreme temperatures.

However, the extreme temperatures mean those with heat intolerance will have shorter sessions. Conversely, the infrared sauna delivers a milder temperature, making it easier to stay in longer. As a result, direct heat “trains” your system to perform, improving cardiovascular function over time.

Detoxification Benefits  

Air temperatures in saunas climb until your heart rate increases.

This new level of humidity causes intense sweat, which can aid in the detoxification process. Traditional saunas make you sweat through increased ambient temperatures. As a result, they deliver surface-level perspiration.

On the other hand, infrared heaters penetrate you at a deeper level underneath your skin. This creates a more profuse sweating experience and removes toxins from your system at a cellular level.

Relaxation and Stress Relief  

Both infrared saunas and traditional saunas provide pain relief and muscle recovery benefits.

Traditional saunas offer intense heat that can be great for joint pain and recovery after exercise. Conversely, with its deep-penetrating heat, an infrared sauna session can reach the tissues to provide more effective muscle pain relief.

And this can be especially beneficial if you’re struggling to manage chronic pain.

Pros and Cons of Infrared and Traditional Steam Saunas  

When we put infrared sauna vs. traditional sauna against each other, we quickly learn that both of these heating mechanisms have positive and negative attributes.

Ultimately, choosing one over the other will be based on the health goals you’re looking to achieve as well as individual preferences. As a result, it’s important to know the pros and cons of each of these forms of heat therapy.

Let’s compare them closely so that you can make a well-informed decision about which is the best option for you.

Pros and Cons of Infrared Saunas  

A pro of the infrared sauna is its mild heat distribution.

This makes the sauna more tolerable than its traditional sauna counterpart, creating a relaxing atmosphere in the process. Another pro is its deep penetrating capabilities, which help cardiovascular health, blood circulation, and even immune health.

A con is that the infrared lamps may be responsible for facilitating low blood pressure.

As a result, spending too much time in this type of sauna could lead to dizziness and lightheadedness and could even put your body in a state of shock. However, it’s important to note that this is a rare occurrence.

Pros and Cons of Traditional Saunas  

A pro with traditional saunas is that the heat releases endorphins.

You then begin to enjoy a relaxing experience due to this kind of thermal therapy. However, the attribute that gives traditional saunas their appeal is the same attribute that may turn people away. A major con for some people with traditional saunas is the intense levels of heat.

This can make people feel uncomfortable and cause them to leave before they can reap the health benefits.

If you’re heat intolerant, you may not get to the point of deep relaxation in a type of sauna.

Safety Precautions When Using Saunas  

While sauna bathing can certainly have a range of health benefits, it’s still critical to ensure you take the proper safety precautions. By protecting yourself, you can better enjoy the sauna experience and make the most out of your time in the hot room. Here are a few suggestions for your safety while sauna bathing.

• Try to limit sessions: Keeping your sessions between 20-30 minutes would be the ideal timeframe, especially if you’re new to sauna bathing. However, even experienced sauna users should limit the time they spend in the hot room to ensure their safety as well.
• Ensure you stay hydrated: Dehydration is dangerous in a hot sauna. Bring a small water bottle into the hot room. Staying hydrated is essential to remain safe in the sauna.
• Wear appropriate clothing: Take off any jewelry or other items of clothing that could interfere with or even compromise the sauna experience.
• Be conscious of your emotional state: If you begin feeling woozy or lightheaded, exit the sauna immediately. Do not wait or hesitate. Being cautious in this regard could save you from a serious medical scare.
• Check with your doctor: Even if you’re healthy and don’t believe you have any underlying health conditions, check in with your doctor before using a sauna. A quick medical checkup with your doctor will reveal whether or not using a sauna regularly is wise.

As you’ve already learned, a sauna can offer a range of health benefits that can help support rejuvenation and an overall healthy lifestyle. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exercise caution when using them.

By taking the proper safety measures (as described in this section), you can ensure your sauna experience is a refreshing one every time.

3 Tips for an Optimal Sauna Experience  

While sauna safety is all about protecting you from potential harm, sauna optimization is about ensuring you get the most out of your experience. There are many steps you can follow to make your time in the sauna yield you the health advantages you’re looking for. And the best part is that these are simple (and proven) steps that can enhance your sauna experience.

Here are 4 tips to enhance your sauna experience.

1. Before-and-after shower  

Taking a shower before doing your sauna bathing will make you sweat profusely, giving you an additional revitalizing, regenerative experience. Moreover, showering can increase blood circulation throughout your system as it cleans you of dirt, oils, dead skin cells, and bacteria and germs that clog up your pores.

As a result, you’ll be able to sweat more freely. You can also shower after the sauna as it will give you a clean feeling, leaving you energized and enlivened.

2. Use optimal time cycles  

As a general rule, sauna users spend about 10 to 15 minutes sauna bathing at a time.

After which, they (more than likely) need to take a break to cool down before re-entering again. Some individuals prefer a simple dip in chilled water, after which they’ll cool down for a moment before entering the sauna again. An optimal cycle will be about three rounds of cooling down and sauna bathing.

However, that’s simply a rule of thumb or a rough guideline.

You should reduce or increase your cycles based on what feels right for you and your body. And when it comes to sauna frequency, studies suggest that, depending on your health and tolerance, you should have 3 to 7 sauna sessions weekly.

3. Exfoliate to improve skin circulation  

There are a few ways you can boost your skin circulation to optimize the sauna bathing benefits.

While you’re in the sauna, gently tap, scratch, or brush your skin (on your legs, arms, legs, back, etc.) This simple exfoliation “hack” will enliven your pores, stimulating them to open up and boosting your surface-body circulation as a result.

4. Don’t forget to stretch  

Most people tend to sit upright when they do their sauna bathing. However, stretching your arms and legs out instead allows you to better enjoy the advantages of this type of heat therapy. So, if at all possible, try lying down to allow your entire body to be affected by the sauna temperature evenly.

Additionally, this is also beneficial for increasing your flexibility and range of motion. As a result, you can accelerate (or reduce) pain or muscle tension you may be experiencing.

Conclusion  

There are many consideration when comparing the infrared sauna vs. traditional sauna.

However, by learning what each type of sauna therapy entails (and possibly experiencing both for yourself), you can better determine which option is the best for you. At InfuZen Health, we are here to redefine true well-being with our holistic approach to health and wellness.

We specialize in modern IV & IM Therapy solutions.

And we’re on a mission to help our customers see their health beyond the traditional lens of diet, exercise, and conventional treatment methods. So, if you’re ready to take a holistic approach to lead a healthy and vibrant life, contact us today to claim 50% off your first appointment.