For generations, saunas have been a part of wellness customs in various cultures. Benefits like stress reduction, pain alleviation, purification and improved circulation are gained by sauna use. However, this age-old tradition has taken on a new dimension with the advent of infrared saunas.
When it comes to selecting infrared sauna vs conventional sauna, you may feel overwhelmed or daunted. Depending on your wellness goals, both offer a unique range of health benefits, relaxation opportunities, and distinct advantages.
This article breaks down the differences between these two sauna types, examines their benefits, and provides practical advice to assist you in making the best choice.
Let’s get started.
Deciding Between Infrared Sauna vs Conventional Sauna
Infrared saunas focus on penetrating heat and work at lower temperatures, whereas conventional saunas are well known for their intense heat and traditional experience.
By understanding these differences, selecting the right sauna for your home or wellness routine becomes a lot easier.
What Are Infrared and Conventional Saunas?
Let’s take a look at the main differences between infrared sauna vs conventional sauna.
Conventional Saunas: A Traditional Experience
Conventional saunas, often known as Finnish saunas, involve the use of high temperatures typically ranging from (180–200°F) to heat the air inside a closed room.
Traditional saunas include hot stones and often use a heater or a stove. Sauna users can increase humidity and create steam by pouring water on the stones. Consequently, a classic sauna is experienced with intense heat and sweat-inducing conditions.
Infrared Saunas: Modern Technology with a Twist
In the case of infrared saunas, infrared light is utilized to directly heat the body instead of the surrounding air. Operating at moderate temperatures ranging from (120–140°F), infrared saunas offer intense heat penetration without making the atmosphere overwhelmingly hot.
There are different available types of infrared saunas each offering specific health benefits. These types include near-infrared, mid-infrared and far-infrared saunas.
Benefits of Conventional Saunas
Conventional saunas warm the body indirectly by using extreme temperatures to heat the atmosphere.
Their key benefits include:
1. High-Heat Relaxation
Conventional saunas promote full-body relaxation by delivering intense heat. The hot air is helpful in rejuvenation and detoxification as it encourages deep sweating.
The high-temperature environment provided by traditional saunas helps in relaxing muscles, relieving stress and inducing a sense of calm and peace.
2. Cardiovascular Health
The high temperature and intense heat make the heart work harder to cool down the body, hence increasing blood flow.
Over time, this improves heart health and reduces blood pressure by replicating cardiovascular exercise.
3. Respiratory Relief
Traditional saunas are also known for easing respiratory issues and clearing sinuses by adding steam to them. Due to the humid air in conventional saunas, conditions like asthma or bronchitis may improve with regular sessions.
4. Immune System Boost
The conventional sauna heat stimulates the production of white blood cells by triggering a mild fever-like response in the body.
This helps fight off infections, reduce the severity of flu and colds and minimize the recovery time from illnesses.
Regular sessions can help minimize the risk of colds and flu.
Benefits of Infrared Saunas
Now that we have explored the benefits of traditional saunas, let’s move on to the next step in our infrared sauna vs conventional saunas guide i.e. benefits of infrared saunas.
1. Deep Tissue Detoxification
Infrared saunas are comparatively more effective for detoxification. Far Infrared saunas promote the release of toxins such as heavy metals, environmental pollutants, and chemicals stored in the body through infrared light that penetrates the skin and tissues.
2. Pain and Inflammation Relief
As discussed above, infrared light impacts the deeper layers of muscles and joints and consequently, reduces pain and inflammation. Chronic conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or back pain can be relieved significantly with the use of infrared saunas.
3. Weight Management
Infrared saunas are known to burn up to 600 calories per session. Calories burn when the body works to regulate its temperature.
These saunas complement weight loss efforts as the calorie-burn process takes place.
4. Skin Rejuvenation
Many dermatological benefits like enhanced collagen production, improved blood circulation and clear pores can be gained by the penetrating heat of these saunas. With the passage of time, people can achieve a clear complexion, reduced wrinkles and improved skin elasticity.
Infrared Sauna vs Traditional Sauna
It's important to understand the distinct functionalities, benefits and user experiences of infrared sauna vs conventional saunas so you can choose the right one for you.
Both types undoubtedly provide significant health benefits, but they vary in terms of the temperatures, how they deliver heat, the conditions they create and the specific advantages they offer.
1. Heat Intensity
Infrared saunas do not generate intense heat and operate at a lower temperature (120–140°F). This makes them ideal for people who are sensitive to intense heat and humidity.
Conventional saunas operate at a higher temperature (180-200°F) and provide a more intense heat experience.
2. Heating Method
Infrared saunas warm the body directly by using infrared light.
Conventional saunas heat the atmosphere rather than the body. The surrounding air in turn warms the body.
3. Humidity Levels
In the case of infrared saunas, there’s dry heat without steam.
Traditional saunas allow their users to control humidity by pouring water on hot stones.
4. Energy Efficiency
Infrared saunas are energy efficient. They require less energy and heat up faster which makes them cost-effective.
In comparison, conventional saunas take longer to heat and also require more energy.
Which Sauna is Best for Your Wellness Goals?
People have varied health and wellness priorities which should indicate their decision to choose the right sauna. Infrared saunas and conventional saunas, both, provide unique benefits for different objectives. Below, is a breakdown of information to guide your decision.
1. For Detoxification
Infrared saunas provide better opportunities for detoxification and purification because of their ability to penetrate deep into the body and enhance sweating.
2. For Relaxation
For the purpose of gaining deep relaxation, many people opt for conventional saunas as they provide a traditional, immersive experience.
3. For Pain Relief
Infrared saunas are well known for their ability to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief such as joint or muscle pain.
4. For Skin Health
Though both saunas provide enriched skin benefits, infrared saunas may provide more benefits than conventional saunas. This is because infrared saunas involve deeper heat penetration.
5. For Respiratory Health
For respiratory conditions like sinus congestion or asthma, conventional steam is more preferable because of the added steam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Following are some of the frequently asked questions by people:
Can Infrared Saunas Replace Exercise?
Infrared saunas replicate the effects of exercise in benefitting cardiovascular health but they cannot replace regular physical activity. They can only complement physical exercise in promoting health.
Are Saunas Safe for Everyone?
The answer is Yes. For most people, saunas are safe to use except for people with certain conditions like cardiovascular issues, pregnant women or other conditions.
How Long Should You Stay in a Sauna?
For beginners, 10-15 minutes are enough for a sauna session. You can gradually increase the limit to 30-40 minutes after being used to it.
It's important to avoid overheating so listen to your bodily needs.
Why Not Both? The Case for Complementary Use
The use of a hybrid sauna for a comprehensive and all-in-one experience can be ideal for many people.
For example, you can alternate the use of both in a week. You can use an infrared sauna for detoxification and pain relief on one day and a conventional sauna for its respiratory benefits and deep relaxation, on another.
In this way, you can enjoy all the maximized advantages of both technologies.
Conclusion
Now that you know all about infrared sauna vs conventional saunas, you can make the right decision for your wellness goals.
Traditional saunas are ideal for providing relaxation, respiratory support and cardiovascular benefits. Infrared saunas excel in pain relief, detoxification and better skin health.
Ready to invest in your health? Explore both sauna types to find the perfect fit for your lifestyle. Whether you prefer the modern efficiency of infrared or the timeless comfort of a conventional sauna, both can enhance your well-being.
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