Infrared Sauna vs. Traditional Sauna: What's the Difference

There is a new contender in the sauna and steam scene, and it is taking everyone by storm.

We are talking about infrared saunas. 

Infrared saunas aren't exactly new. 

The first full-fledged infrared sauna became available in the United States in 1979. 

If anything, in the last 40 years, there have only been tweaks to the system. These tweaks have allowed for a more comfortable and safe way to sweat.

And these tweaks in technology are what make infrared saunas a true contender for making you sweat.

Infrared saunas use the same principle as any of the other heat therapy.

Nevertheless, instead of relying on the old ways (stones and water), they use heaters to achieve the same effect.

So, traditional saunas use fire to heat the rocks. Then, water is poured over the rocks to create steam, thus heating the cabin's air. 

But infrared saunas are different. 

They go a step further to provide the same effect as any traditional sauna.

How Do Infrared Saunas Work?

So, how does an infrared sauna work? 

Infrared saunas are modern, and thus they have more technologically advanced features.

Rather than producing humidity and steam, infrared saunas focus on the heat.

Instead of heating the air around you like traditional saunas, infrared saunas heat your body directly.

They use infrared rays to penetrate through your body and warm the core of your body.

So, yes, infrared saunas are more effective for heat therapy.

Our sun emits several visible and invisible rays.

One such invisible ray is infrared. 

Infrared rays can be broadly categorized into three sections: Near Infrared, Mid Infrared, and Far-Infrared. 

Let's take a closer look at these.

Near-Infrared: Most of the sun's infrared spectrum is made of near-infrared rays. As we mentioned earlier, infrared rays heat the body from inside out, and near-infrared rays play an essential role in that process. 

Near-infrared rays penetrate the skin up to 5mm. Near-infrared rays have also been studied for their effects on ATP production. ATP stands for Adenosine Triphosphate and plays a vital role in cell functionality.

Some of the benefits of near-infrared rays include:

• Stimulation in collagen production and circulation, which helps in the rebuilding of damaged joints and cartilage.
• Reduction in aging signs and improvements in your skin's appearance. 
• Improves retinopathy (eye damage) as it stimulates ATP.

Mid-Infrared: Mid-infrared wavelength lies at the middle of the spectrum. Our body's water content can absorb mid Infrared wavelengths. It increases circulation through vasodilation (the process of your blood vessels widening), promoting blood flow, elevated heart rate, and improved metabolization.

Mid-infrared light benefits include:

• Helps expand blood vessels and promotes blood circulation.
• Increases metabolic rate and encourages weight loss.

Far-Infrared: Far-infrared is mostly absorbed by the water content in our body. It penetrates 0.1mmm beneath the skin and helps modify your body's protein structure. 

Some of the benefits of far infrared light include:

• Reduces arrhythmias and helps relieve chronic heart issues.
• Reduces pain and stiffness in patients who have rheumatoid arthritis.
• Improves the quality of life in type II diabetic patients.

Infrared saunas use these wavelengths to heat your body and provide multiple benefits. 

Some saunas only use far infrared, some near-infrared, and some mid-infrared. 

There are also full-spectrum infrared saunas in the market that use all the combinations of infrared waves. 

With all three wavelengths inside a cabin, you get an elevated sauna experience. All three infrared wavelengths work in sync, amplifying each other's benefits and creating a fantastic detoxification experience for you.

History of Infrared Saunas

Now that we know how infrared saunas work, let's look at their history. 

Infrared saunas came into existence after the advent of electricity in the 19th century. 

Technically speaking, the idea of infrared saunas only came after the discovery of infrared waves in the 18th century.

Sir William Herschel, a British astronomer, and composer discovered infrared radiations in 1800.

For 100 years, scientists studied infrared waves and their functions. 

However, nobody taught of putting infrared waves in a sauna until sauna enthusiasts, Dr. JH Kellog, came along. 

Dr. Kellog dedicated his life to studying healing modalities, including regular exercise and sauna therapy. 

Dr. Kellog recognized the incredible benefits of saunas and wanted to improve upon the traditional sauna experience. 

In an attempt to improve sauna therapy, he invented something that he called "electric light bath."

He first displayed the cabinet at World's Fair in Chicago in 1893.

If you look at the drawings of the electric light bath, you will find many similarities to the modern infrared saunas. 

Kellog used bulbs inside the cabin to generate incandescent light, which is rich in near-infrared rays. 

The rays penetrated the body and raised the body temperature, creating a similar sauna experience without humidity. 

However, saunas with infrared technology came into existence years later.

In the 1960s, NASA was researching far-infrared wavelengths for space programs and discovered how far infrared waves are produced. 

In 1965, a Japanese doctor received the first patent for a far infrared sauna. 

For the next 14 years, doctors in Japan used far infrared saunas extensively to heal their patients and provide additional health benefits.

In 1979, far infrared saunas were finally released for public use.

In the last 40 years, infrared saunas have seen a lot of modifications and have finally come to become the most effective saunas in the market. 

Infrared Saunas vs. Traditional Saunas

When it comes to infrared saunas vs. traditional saunas, the difference lies in the technology and not the effects. 

Both infrared and traditional saunas provide you with the same effect, i.e., profuse sweating, increased heart rate, and vasodilation. 

To better understand the difference between the two, let's focus on various elements of a sauna:

Process

As mentioned earlier, traditional saunas use fire to heat rocks. The rocks are then poured with water to create steam. This entire process kickstarts your body's natural cooling process, thus making you sweat.

Infrared saunas do not heat the air around you. Infrared penetrates your body and warm up the core of your body directly. When your body gets warm, it starts sweating.

Heat 

One of the most important differences between infrared saunas and traditional saunas is the way each uses heat. 

Traditional saunas are usually higher in humidity due to the amount of steam in the cabin. Steam is advocated to help capitalize on the benefits of heat therapy. 

​In traditional saunas, temperatures can get as high as 185 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Infrared saunas are cooler because they heat the body instead of the air. Usually, infrared saunas run at a temperature between 120 degrees to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Humidity

Traditional saunas have higher levels of humidity compared to infrared saunas. 

Energy Requirements

Since traditional saunas have to heat water to boiling point, they require more power than infrared saunas. 

​Infrared saunas only use power to run the heaters, making them much more efficient at energy requirements. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Infrared Saunas

The advantages of an infrared sauna remain the same as those of traditional saunas. However, infrared saunas are also more convenient, modern, and efficient, which gives them an edge over other types of saunas.

Like any other sauna, infrared saunas help you detoxify, relieve stress and pain, increase metabolism, improve heart health, and enhance the skin.

Regular infrared saunas sessions can also help you relax and sleep better. 

While there are many benefits of using an infrared sauna, there are also a few drawbacks. 

For starters, infrared saunas can be too dry for some people and cause dehydration.

Using saunas can also lower your blood pressure to the point of hypotension, making you dizzy, nauseous, fatigued, depressed, and even make you lose your consciousness. 

Moreover, if you are a pregnant woman or have consumed alcohol recently, you should avoid using an infrared sauna or any other sauna. 

Which One is Better For You?

Regardless of the sauna you use, you can reap a range of benefits that come with heat therapy. 

There aren't many differences between an infrared sauna and a traditional sauna, except how they work. 

We have already mentioned that infrared saunas use heaters instead of rocks and water, making them a more convenient option.

Moreover, infrared saunas heat your body directly, which is more energy efficient. 

Infrared saunas are also easy to install compared to traditional saunas. 

You can plug it into a socket and get sweating in no time. 

A sauna can be a great addition to your house if you are looking to improve your health without partaking in rigorous exercise. 

Now, the question of which sauna is right for you comes down to your preference.

So, research a little, look through your options, and then make the decision.

Conclusion

We hope this article helped you better understand infrared saunas and how they differ from traditional saunas. 

If you are looking to install a sauna or a steam room in your house, reach out to us, and we will provide you with the best sauna/steam room experience.

We have been designing and developing high-quality, customized saunas and steam rooms for our clients for 17 years. 

We are the expert at steam rooms and saunas in South Florida because we have worked with celebrities, designers, and developers to modify and design highly customized and feature-full sauna solutions. 

We also offer ADA compliance services to help you develop unique solutions for your sauna and steam room spaces to minimize installation challenges.

What's more? We can guide you to choose the best sauna and steam room solution for your particular needs, right from the materials to the finish. ​