Benefits for those with cardiovascular disease (lower risk of disease, higher exercise tolerance, and lower markers of oxidative stress).Although many infrared sauna manufacturers and proponents make health claims, I had a very difficult time finding much peer-reviewed evidence showing clear positive benefits with regular use.Īmong some of the benefits of regular sauna use are: It is important to note that most of the body of research about the effects of sauna use are on traditional radiant heat saunas and not infrared saunas. Proponents say that the health benefits are the same even though sweating is reduced due to the infrared energy penetrating tissues in the body. Since these types of saunas are quite new, there are no standard temperature and duration ranges and use varies considerably. In a FAR-infrared sauna, ceramic or metallic heating elements are used to create heat emitting mostly FAR-infrared energy, which does not penetrate as far into tissues, but may have other benefits. In a regular infrared sauna, incandescent heat lamps are used to create heat, emitting mostly NEAR-infrared energy, which penetrates tissues inside the body.
![radiant sauna radiant sauna](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7a618f82e7414cbc85aaf1/1586349368114-OMDVNET06ONVRTV83O3N/IMG_1988.jpeg)
There are two main types of these saunas. They operate at the lowest temperatures (100-130° F), are dry and produce the least amount of sweating. In this type of sauna, infrared light heats the body from the inside (instead of hot air or steam to heat the body from the outside). They generate light from the infrared portion of the spectrum of light. Infrared saunas operate quite differently than radiant or steam saunas.
#RADIANT SAUNA GENERATOR#
In this type of sauna, steam is created by using a steam generator and the room is usually tiled instead of wooden. The inability for sweat to evaporate makes this style of sauna feel much hotter than they actually are. Steam saunas operate similarly to radiant heat saunas, except the room is at 100% humidity and operate at a lower temperature (110-130° F). This cycle is typically repeated 2-4 times. Traditional practices using radiant heat saunas sit in the sauna for 5-20 minutes and either recover in a cooler room or do a cooling practice like a cold plunge or shower. There are usually benches at two different heights in the room, so that the user can choose how much heat they experience. In some saunas, steam can be produced by pouring water over the rocks. Compared to the other types of saunas, they operate at the highest temperatures (158-212° F). Radiant heat saunas use hot air to heat the body from the outside. Today, wood-paneled rooms (usually cedar) and an electric heater covered with stones create a similar effect. Modern radiant heat saunas trace their design and history from Finland, where small wooden huts were warmed by hot stones.
![radiant sauna radiant sauna](https://image.made-in-china.com/202f0j00YiZRkydCfqca/Factory-Price-4-Person-Far-Infrared-Sauna-Room.jpg)
Saunas are sometimes used in rotation with periods of recovery at room-temperature or a cooling practice like a cold shower or plunge.
![radiant sauna radiant sauna](https://image.made-in-china.com/202f0j00JjiaFHrInWpe/Diamond-Design-Comfortablehealthy-Far-Infrared-Sauna-House-I-011-.jpg)
The temperature in a sauna can range from 100-212° F, and are commonly used in durations of a few minutes to a half-hour depending on the type and effect desired.
![radiant sauna radiant sauna](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81fr5e9Ah0L._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
What is a sauna?Ī sauna is a small space or room filled with hot air, steam, or light waves that cause the production of sweat, deep relaxation and other physiological effects on the body.
#RADIANT SAUNA HOW TO#
In this article I will give a rundown of the different types of saunas, how they work, the benefits of each type, and how to pick out your own sauna. Although sauna use has been a traditional relaxation and health practice in many cultures for centuries, in recent years they have made a big splash in the health and wellness community as facilitators for deeper healing.