Far Infrared Sauna: Top Do's and Don'ts to Understand (2022)

Fitness centers, spas, and other health and wellness centers increasingly use far infrared saunas as a popular amenity for their members. For many, the chilly, dry air surrounding an infrared sauna makes the experience far more pleasant than a typical sauna. It has been suggested that a far infrared sauna has beneficial health effects.

When we say that a wavelength of light is far infrared we indicate that it exists at the very end of the infrared spectrum. Scientific research has revealed that saunas are an ideal environment to expose oneself to Far Infrared light, as this type of radiation may penetrate the skin and raise one's body temperature, triggering the body's sweat glands.

Through this blog, we will understand the various do's and don'ts of using a far infrared sauna. But, before that, let's briefly introduce a far infrared sauna.
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You might also want to read: Why You Need To Install An Infrared Sauna

Far Infrared Sauna: A Brief Introduction

Unlike traditional saunas, which heat the air around you, far infrared saunas warm the body itself. However, since the light from the heaters is reflected back onto the body, these spaces are sometimes called infrared heat therapy rooms.

About 20% of the energy in a far infrared sauna is directed toward warming the air, while the remaining 80% is used to warm the user's body. This type of heat is much more effective at penetrating the skin than regular saunas.

Infrared saunas are more comfortable than dry or wet saunas because they heat only the surface of your body and not the air around it. Low temperatures are the norm with far infrared saunas.

Now, we will look into the important do's and don'ts to consider while using a far infrared sauna.​

Do's to Consider While Using a Far Infrared Sauna

Perform Some Form of Cardiovascular Exercise to Increase Blood Flow

Blood flow can be increased in the sauna if blood vessels are relaxed beforehand. However, since your muscles are less likely to be tense, your achy joints will feel less pain after a workout. Those who experience chronic pain, such as arthritis, would greatly benefit from these features.

Here are a few pre-sauna activities that can help get your blood pumping - short workout sessions, stair runs or jogging, and Yoga or Qigong.

Ensure That You Drink Enough Water Before Your Session

Maintaining a healthy water intake is crucial. Sitting in a sauna for an extended period might cause you to lose as much as 3% of your body weight in sweat. If you're already dehydrated, this could make you even more so and make you feel exhausted.

• Before you hop in the sauna, make sure to hydrate with 16-20 ounces of water.
• Cut out sugary beverages, including soda, sweetened coffee, and fruit juices.
• Choose coconut water-infused sports drinks if you're looking for something with flavor and electrolytes. They're excellent for maintaining hydration and getting your system ready to replace lost nutrients.

Prepare for Your Session by Having a Shower First

Before entering a far infrared sauna, it's a good idea to take a shower or wash off any lotions, oils, cosmetics, sweat, or grime from your skin.

After you get out of the shower and into your far infrared sauna, you may want to use a bath brush or sauna whisk to help scrub away any excess water and dead skin. The gentle brushing motion will open your pores and promote healthy blood flow when used on the skin.

Select an Ideal Sitting Position

Saunas that utilize far infrared rays heat the user from the inside out. This implies putting yourself in line with the heaters. Most far infrared saunas use full-body panels and foot warmers to ensure comfortable and thorough heat.

Accordingly, to maximize the therapeutic effects of your far infrared sauna experience, consider the following advice on how to position yourself:

• A sauna session is effective when the far infrared heaters directly aim at your front and back body portion. And, for this, sitting straight up is the best option.
• It's natural that full body coverage may not be possible. Here, you may rotate every 8 minutes or so.
• Various far infrared saunas come with chromotherapy lighting. So, if yours also has one, use that in tandem with the infrared heater. Ideally, pick one light per session.

You might also want to read: Types of Saunas and How to Choose the Right One for You

Pick the Most Convenient Sitting Time

One of the most frequently asked questions regarding sauna usage includes - how long one must remain in a sauna. Although there are some recommendations you should adhere to, no one can force you to be in the sauna at a specific time. For example, staying in a far infrared sauna for the recommended amount of time is up to you and your degree of comfort. Your sessions could be the standard length, or they could be very long or short.

Next, we look at the don'ts you must consider for your far infrared sauna session.

​Don'ts to Consider While Using a Far Infrared Sauna

Consume Alcohol Before the Far Infrared Sauna Session

When you drink alcohol, your blood pressure rises, and your heart rate drops, which reduces blood flow throughout your body. This is already bad for your heart and blood flow, so adding the heat of a sauna to the mix is extremely risky.

Using alcohol before or while in a sauna carries the following additional dangers -

• Weakness, dizziness, or fainting
• Pain in the Head and Feeling Queasy
• Heart Failure

Even though sweating it out in the sauna may seem like a good idea when you're trying to get over a hangover, we don't think it's a smart idea. Dehydration is typically at the root of a nasty hangover. You can worsen your hangover symptoms by going to the sauna if you haven't been drinking enough water beforehand.

Sit in the Far Infrared Sauna Session for Prolonged Periods and Start Exercising Right After

You shouldn't use a far infrared sauna before working out because it will relax your muscles.

So long as you don't spend excessive time in the sauna, you can utilize your far infrared sauna and then go for a workout. It's best to use it for no more than 5 to 10 minutes of stretching. So that's a terrific method for getting your body temperature up rapidly.
While you're working out, feel free to utilize your sauna. Visiting the far infrared sauna after a strenuous workout is always a good idea. A good stretch after a workout helps your muscles recover faster and allows you to work harder and for longer.

You might also want to read: Infrared Saunas: What's So Great About Them

Put Water in the Far Infrared Sauna's Heater

The conventional method of creating steam in a sauna involves pouring water over rocks on the heater. Unlike traditional saunas, far infrared saunas use carbon or ceramic heaters strategically placed on the walls and floor to warm you up from the inside out. Use of water to generate steam is both forbidden and counterproductive. Even though there are many health advantages to using an infrared sauna, you cannot use them to create a steam room. Instead, we suggest employing the chromotherapy light in far infrared saunas to improve your health further.​

People Who Must Avoid Far Infrared

Sometimes, it's best to avoid using a sauna altogether, far infrared or otherwise. The following are some cases:

• Suffering from certain medical conditions: Regular sessions in a far infrared sauna have been shown to have health benefits for persons with medical issues, such as high blood pressure and heart disease. However, getting your doctor's approval before starting any new therapy or wellness routine is important.
• Under certain medications: Such people should see their physician before using a sauna, as these drugs can reduce the body's ability to sweat and raise the internal body temperature. Also, people who are on sleep aids should talk to their doctors before entering a sauna.
• Those who are intoxicated: You must refrain from using saunas of any kind if you intake alcohol or drugs.
• Pregnant women: You shouldn't use a sauna or steam room if you're pregnant or if you're trying to get pregnant unless your doctor tells you to.

You might also want to read: 10 Tips To Build The Best Sauna Room

​Final Words

This was all about the do's and don'ts to consider while using a far infrared sauna. We believe if you follow these points carefully, you can have a safe and successful sauna session. And, should you ever look for sauna installation services or professional sauna installers for your house, feel free to contact Steam and Sauna Experts.

Having decades of expertise in providing steam sauna bath services, we deal with clients with just one goal - to meet their needs and offer top-notch post-sales service. Thankfully, our current clients have the same thing to say. Feel free to contact our support team to learn more about us or our services.