Infrared saunas are a new trend within the health industry. You’ve probably heard your favorite health guru or coach mention these modern counterparts to the traditional steam sauna, raving about their ability to detoxify the body, burn fat, and reduce muscle soreness, among other health benefits. You may be a bit skeptical if you’re new to the conversation surrounding infrared saunas. We don’t blame you for asking questions like, “Are infrared saunas actually effective?” or “Can infrared saunas cause cancer?”
So, is all the praise for infrared saunas deserved? Find out for yourself in this blog post, which covers everything you need to know about them.
What Are Infrared Saunas?
An infrared sauna is a type of sauna that uses infrared lamps (with electromagnetic radiation) to warm your body directly. The main difference between a traditional steam sauna and an infrared sauna is how they heat your body. A steam sauna uses heat to warm the air, which results in heating your body. Comparatively, an infrared sauna instantly penetrates the warmth of your skin without first warming the air around you.
Try an infrared sauna if you’d like to try a sauna session. Since infrared saunas operate at a lower temperature (between 120℉ and 140℉) than a traditional steam sauna (between 150 to 180℉), you may find it easier to handle the heat of an infrared sauna, especially if you’re just starting out.
3 Misconceptions about Infrared Saunas
As sales for infrared saunas continue to skyrocket, so do the allegations against this new health trend. Let’s debunk 3 common myths about infrared saunas and uncover the truth.
1. Infrared Saunas Cause Cancer
It’s a common myth that infrared saunas can cause skin cancer. However, infrared saunas use an invisible and safe type of radiation, different from the more dangerous UV rays emitted from the sun that can potentially cause skin cancer. In fact, infrared saunas can be helpful for cancer patients undergoing treatment if they’ve consulted with their doctor and received permission.
2. Infrared Saunas Are Uncomfortable Due to the Heat
Since infrared saunas heat your body from the inside out instead of heating the air around you, they don’t feel uncomfortably hot. Many traditional sauna users switch to infrared saunas due to their lower temperatures and comfortable use. Once inside an infrared sauna, you’ll feel relaxed and comfortably warm—you may even be tempted to take a quick nap!
3. Infrared Saunas Don’t Work
Numerous people question the legitimacy of infrared saunas. However, countless sources of evidence confirm their effectiveness. One study from the Sacion University of Applied Science in the Netherlands studied the effects of infrared saunas on patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Researchers found that infrared saunas decreased pain and stiffness in the patients’ bodies and improved sleep across the board.
Multiple other studies have found that infrared saunas reduce muscle and joint pain, boost heart health, and relax the body, which leads to improving anxiety and depression.
3 Benefits of Infrared Saunas: There’s a Reason Sauna Therapy is All the New Rage
Are you curious why the health community constantly boasts about infrared saunas? Here are 3 reasons you may want to join the bandwagon for infrared saunas:
1. It Can Help Release Stress and Improve Sleep
Infrared saunas reduce stress and deepen sleep. The real question is: How do infrared saunas improve our well-being and promote relaxation? When you enter an infrared sauna, it immediately starts activating your parasympathetic nervous system, which is how your brain tells your body to relax. Often, your body gets stuck in the sympathetic nervous system (the stressed, “fight or flight” state), causing anxiety, insomnia, and other mental illnesses. That’s why consistent visits to an infrared sauna can help reduce stress, activate our parasympathetic nervous system, and promote deep relaxation for days.
2. It Reduces Chronic Pain and Muscle Soreness
Infrared saunas improve blood circulation, decreasing muscle soreness and improving pain management. The wavelengths produced from an infrared sauna penetrate up to 2 inches deep into the body, stimulating a relaxation response and releasing tension held within muscles and tendons. For those who struggle with arthritis, ongoing back pain, muscle soreness, and other types of chronic physical discomfort, evidence shows that infrared saunas can be a safe form of pain management used to support your body.
3. It Fights Illness and Detoxifies the Body
Studies show infrared saunas can help you avoid sicknesses like the common cold. While researchers are still finding evidence to support this claim, it’s a widely accepted idea that infrared saunas also enhance the body’s natural detoxification process. Most toxins are broken down and eliminated through urine or feces, the lymphatic system, and our breath.
Nonetheless, numerous health professionals believe that people can benefit from additional methods to keep their bodies clear of harmful substances—and sweating is a great way to detox the body. When our bodies sweat, they mobilize toxins such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, purging them from the inside out. If you’ve ever used an infrared sauna, you know how much sweat is released in just one session. Infrared saunas aren’t blisteringly hot like steam saunas but are still highly effective in detoxifying and releasing toxic substances.
Infrared Saunas For Beginners: 3 Things to Know Before You Go
If you’re starting to feel convinced and want to try out an infrared sauna for the first time, here are 3 expert tips to know before you go:
- Drink plenty of water. Hydration is vital to a successful infrared sauna session. You’ll sweat excessively in the sauna, leaving your body’s fluid levels low. However, there’s no need to worry about dehydration if you’ve drank plenty of water beforehand and come prepared with a bottle of water during the session. You can also bring sports drinks that contain electrolytes for extra hydration.
- Start slow and build from there. When you first start out, don’t rush into high temperatures and long sessions inside the sauna. Dial down the temperature to about 110℉ and start with a length of about 5–10 minutes. From there, you can slowly build the temperature and duration of your infrared sauna session. It’s best to limit sessions to 3 to 4 times with a maximum length of 30 minutes per visit.
- After the session is over, take a shower. Once you’ve finished a sauna session, let your body cool down to an average temperature. Take a shower or bath to rinse the toxins and sweat accumulated during the visit, and enjoy the relaxation infrared saunas offer!
3 FAQs About Infrared Saunas
1. Do infrared saunas burn belly fat?
Researchers found that several sauna sessions can aid in reducing body fat mass, BMI, and other body measurement parameters. According to a 2017 scientific article, infrared saunas can burn 400–600 calories within 30 minutes. However, there isn’t clear evidence that suggests infrared sauna sessions can target fat reduction in the belly. It’s also recommended to pair infrared sauna visits with other forms of exercise, such as weight lifting or running.
2. How long does it take to see the results from infrared saunas?
While it’s dependent on the individual, most effects from an infrared sauna are seen after several weeks of consistent use. After one session, you may feel relaxed and experience deeper sleep, but you’ll need to wait a few months to start seeing results for the more intense results, such as chronic pain relief or anxiety reduction.
3. Are infrared saunas safe?
No dangers have been reported after using infrared saunas. If you’re looking for a safe, relaxing form of natural healing, it’s time to try one!
Create An At-Home Infrared Sauna Oasis With the Help of Tubzz
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If you’d like to improve your health and experience a life of luxury, our infrared sauna selection is the place to find what you’re looking for. Contact us to schedule a visit to our showroom and pick out your new cutting-edge infrared sauna!
