What are infrared saunas?
As the name suggests, infrared saunas use infrared light to create heat. Infrared light is a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light.
When this light contacts your skin, it penetrates deeply and increases your core body temperature.
While traditional ceramic heaters and carbon heaters use heat to warm the air around you, infrared saunas heat your body directly without warming the air.
You might feel like the infrared sauna is hotter than a traditional sauna, even though the air temperature is lower.
Infrared sauna cabins might cost a bit more than traditional saunas, but they offer a number of advantages.
Different types of infrared saunas
There are mainly three types of infrared saunas:
1. Far infrared saunas
These types of infrared saunas use far infrared light, which has a longer wavelength than visible light. This type of light is absorbed more easily by the human body, so it’s excellent for detoxification and relaxation.
2. Near-infrared saunas
Near-infrared saunas (NIR) use near-infrared light, which has a shorter wavelength than visible light. Thanks to the led control panels, NIR penetrates more deeply into the human body than FIR. That’s why it’s often used for wound healing, joint pain relief, and overall tissue regeneration.
3. Full spectrum saunas
Full spectrum saunas are a combination of both FIR and NIR. Thanks to that, they offer all the benefits of both types of infrared saunas. So the pricing is also a bit higher.
Benefits of infrared saunas
Here are some of the key benefits of infrared saunas:
1. Removing toxins
Removing toxins is the most popular use for infrared saunas. That’s because the heat helps to loosen and release toxins stored in the fat cells, so they can be eliminated through sweat. This improves your skin health and makes it look younger. The infrared sauna also helps to detoxify the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system.
2. Reducing stress and anxiety
If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, spending some time in an infrared sauna can help you relax. The heat increases your body temperature, which has a calming effect. It also lowers levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
3. Improving circulation
The heat from infrared saunas can improve circulation by dilating the blood vessels and increasing blood flow. This can help to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the muscles and joints.
4. Relieving pain
If you go to the gym or play sports regularly, you might experience muscle pain and soreness. The heat from infrared saunas can help to relieve this pain by increasing blood flow and relaxing the muscles. Since infrared light directly penetrates the tissues, it can also help to reduce joint pain and stiffness.
5. Helps to lose weight
Just like any other sauna, infrared saunas can help you lose weight. The heat makes your body work harder to cool itself down, which raises your heart rate and burns calories. A single infrared sauna session can burn up to 600 calories! Even doctors recommend infrared saunas for weight loss.
6. Improving skin health
The infrared light from the sauna can help to improve your skin health in a number of ways. It increases blood flow and collagen production, which gives you firmer, younger-looking skin. The infrared sauna can also help to treat acne by reducing inflammation and killing bacteria.
7. Boosting immunity
If you often catch colds or get sick, spending time in an infrared sauna can help to boost your immunity. The heat helps to increase the production of white blood cells, which fight infection. It also increases the activity of these cells, so they’re better able to fight off infections.
How to choose a perfect infrared sauna?
Let’s find out how to choose the perfect infrared sauna:
1. Price
As we mentioned earlier infrared saunas cost more than any other type of sauna. But the good news is that they last longer, so you don’t have to replace them often. The initial investment is higher, but in the long run, they’re more cost-effective. They also offer better health benefits and are more effective at detoxification.
2. Size
Size is an important consideration when choosing an infrared sauna. You want to make sure that it’s large enough for you to be comfortable, but not so large that it’s too difficult to heat up. The goal is to find a sauna that’s big enough for you to lie down in, so you can fully relax.
3. Additional features
Additional features like an integrated sound system, chromotherapy, or a towel warmer can make your sauna experience more enjoyable. But they can be costly so make sure to factor that into your budget.
4. Warranty
Warranty is an important consideration when choosing an infrared sauna. Most companies offer a 1-3 year warranty, but some offer a longer warranty of up to 7 years. This shows how confident they are in their product and ensures that you won’t have to replace your sauna anytime soon.
5. Certification
When buying an infrared sauna, make sure that it’s certified by a reputable organization like the FDA, UL, CE, or ETL. Low EMF certification is also important to look for as it means that the sauna emits low levels of magnetic fields and is therefore safe to use.
Conclusion
So there you have it! Now you know all the aspects of choosing the perfect infrared sauna. Just remember to keep your budget in mind and look for a sauna that’s the right size for you. And don’t forget to check for certification from a reputable organization. With these tips, you’ll be sure to find the perfect infrared sauna for your needs! Good luck!