Is an Infrared Sauna Better Than a Traditional Sauna?

Advocates of infrared saunas claim that the heat is able to penetrate deeper into the body compared to heated air, resulting in a more intense sweat at a lower temperature and a longer sauna session. After a 20-minute session in a sauna, you can feel more relaxed and rejuvenated, as well as experience relief for sore muscles and improvement in your overall health and well-being. If the extreme heat of a conventional sauna is too overwhelming, an infrared sauna may provide similar benefits without the intense temperatures.

What is an infrared sauna?

In contrast to traditional saunas, infrared saunas do not rely on heating the air around you. Instead, they utilize infrared lamps, which use electromagnetic radiation, to directly warm your body. Physical therapists explains that these saunas use infrared panels to penetrate human tissue, heating up the body before the air. Typically, an infrared sauna operates at a lower temperature (usually between 120˚F and 140˚F) than a traditional sauna (usually between 150˚F and 180˚F). Manufacturers of infrared saunas claim that only about 20 percent of the heat goes towards heating the air, while the remaining 80 percent directly heats the body.