Traditional Sauna vs. Infrared Sauna – a Tale of Two Heats

Saunas have long been a symbol of relaxation and wellness, offering a sanctuary where people can unwind, detoxify, and heal. But not all saunas are created equal. Over the years, the traditional sauna has found a modern contender in the form of the infrared sauna. While both are rooted in the idea of harnessing heat to benefit the body, they do so in very different ways. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the key differences between traditional and infrared saunas, explore their unique benefits, and help you decide which one is the best fit for your wellness routine.

Whether you choose the classic experience of a traditional sauna or the modern, deep-penetrating heat of an infrared sauna, both offer a wealth of health benefits that can enhance your wellness routine. Traditional saunas provide a powerful, hot, and sweaty experience that is perfect for those seeking an invigorating and cleansing session. Infrared saunas, on the other hand, offer a more gentle, prolonged heat that’s ideal for relaxation, pain relief, and detoxification.

Traditional Sauna: A Timeless Experience

The traditional sauna, often associated with Finland, has been around for thousands of years. In a traditional sauna, a heater—usually wood-burning, electric, or gas—heats the air inside a small, enclosed room. Temperatures typically range from 150 to 195°F (65-90°C), and the humidity can be adjusted by pouring water over hot stones, creating bursts of steam. This combination of heat and steam makes for a sweaty, intense experience.

Traditional saunas are all about embracing the heat. The high temperature warms the air, which in turn heats your body from the outside in. This encourages a deep sweat, helping to detoxify the body, improve circulation, and relax muscles. The heat can feel intense, but it’s also incredibly invigorating. Many sauna-goers describe the experience as both a physical and mental cleanse.

Key Benefits of Traditional Saunas:

• Deep Relaxation: The high heat and steam help to release tension in the muscles and promote relaxation, making traditional saunas ideal for stress relief.
• Detoxification: Sweating is one of the body’s natural ways of eliminating toxins, and traditional saunas promote a heavy sweat, aiding in detoxification.
• Improved Circulation: The heat causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing circulation and promoting heart health.
• Immune System Boost: The combination of heat and cold (often through cold plunges after the sauna) is believed to strengthen the immune system.

Infrared Sauna: A Modern Approach to Heat Therapy

Infrared saunas are a more recent innovation in the world of heat therapy. Unlike traditional saunas, which heat the air around you, infrared saunas use infrared light to directly heat your body. The infrared light penetrates the skin, reaching deeper into the tissues, muscles, and joints.

Infrared saunas operate at a lower temperature than traditional saunas, typically between 120 and 150°F (48-65°C). Despite the lower temperature, infrared saunas can induce a deep sweat, making them more comfortable for longer sessions. Infrared saunas are often categorized into three types based on the wavelength of infrared light: near, mid, and far infrared. Each type penetrates the body at different depths, offering unique benefits such as skin healing, pain relief, and detoxification.

Key Benefits of Infrared Saunas:

• Detoxification: Like traditional saunas, infrared saunas promote sweating and help the body eliminate toxins. The deeper penetration of infrared light can help detoxify at a cellular level.
• Pain Relief: Infrared light can reach deep into muscles and joints, making infrared saunas particularly beneficial for people with chronic pain, arthritis, or injuries.
• Relaxation: The lower temperature and deep heat of an infrared sauna provide a more gentle and prolonged relaxation experience.
• Improved Skin Health: Infrared saunas can promote better skin health by increasing circulation and collagen production, which helps reduce wrinkles and improve skin tone.

The Experience: How They Differ

Temperature and Comfort

• One of the most noticeable differences between traditional and infrared saunas is the temperature. Traditional saunas are hot – really hot. The air temperature can reach up to 195°F, which can feel intense, especially for beginners. The experience can be quite overwhelming if you’re not used to high heat.
• Infrared saunas, on the other hand, offer a gentler experience. With temperatures ranging from 120 to 150°F, infrared saunas are much more tolerable for those who find traditional saunas too intense. The heat penetrates the body directly, so while the air may feel cooler, you still achieve a deep sweat.

Humidity

• Traditional saunas offer the option of adding steam, which increases humidity. Some people love the feeling of hot, humid air enveloping their bodies, while others find it a bit suffocating. The humidity can intensify the sensation of heat, making the experience more intense.
• Infrared saunas, in contrast, provide a dry heat. There’s no steam, so the air remains dry throughout the session. This can feel more comfortable for people who don’t enjoy the heaviness of humid air.

Duration

• Because traditional saunas operate at higher temperatures, most people spend shorter periods inside, typically 10 to 15 minutes per session, before stepping out to cool down. Sessions often involve alternating between the hot sauna and cold plunges or showers.
• Infrared saunas, with their lower temperatures, allow for longer sessions. You can comfortably stay in an infrared sauna for 30 to 45 minutes, making it a more prolonged and meditative experience.

Health Benefits: Which One Is Better?

Both traditional and infrared saunas offer a range of health benefits, but the specific benefits can vary based on the type of sauna.

Traditional Saunas:

• Cardiovascular Health: The high heat of traditional saunas increases heart rate and improves circulation, which can benefit cardiovascular health. Studies have shown that regular sauna use is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and even longer life expectancy.
• Respiratory Benefits: The steam in traditional saunas can help open up airways and improve respiratory function, making it beneficial for people with asthma or bronchitis.
• Mental Clarity: The intense heat and sweating in a traditional sauna can lead to a sense of mental clarity and relaxation that many users find highly therapeutic.

Infrared Saunas:

• Pain Relief: Infrared saunas are particularly effective for pain relief. The deep-penetrating heat can soothe sore muscles, reduce inflammation, and alleviate joint pain, making it a popular choice for people with chronic pain conditions.
• Detoxification: Infrared saunas are known for their ability to promote detoxification at a cellular level. The deep sweat induced by infrared light can help remove toxins from deeper layers of the skin and tissues.
• Skin Health: Infrared saunas promote better skin health by stimulating collagen production and improving circulation, which can lead to a more youthful complexion.

Which Sauna Is Right for You?

The choice between a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna ultimately comes down to personal preference and wellness goals.

• Choose a Traditional Sauna if: You enjoy the intense heat and steam, love the ritual of alternating between hot and cold, and are looking for cardiovascular and respiratory benefits. Traditional saunas offer a powerful, invigorating experience that can leave you feeling deeply cleansed and refreshed.
• Choose an Infrared Sauna if: You prefer a gentler heat, want a longer and more meditative experience, or are seeking specific benefits like pain relief and detoxification. Infrared saunas are also a great option for people who find traditional saunas too intense or uncomfortable.

Ultimately, the best sauna is the one that fits your needs and preferences. So why not try both and see which one leaves you feeling your best?