What Is an Infrared Sauna?

From offering relief to your sore muscles and pain to ensuring that you feel relaxed and enjoy better sleep, infrared saunas are the real deal.

Their role in improving blood circulation and enhancing detoxification is worth lauding. But unless you understand what they are, you might not be sure of whether they will benefit you in the long run.

Beyond the benefits they provide, it will be vital to understand how to use and even build infrared saunas. Fortunately, this piece focuses on some of the invaluable insights you need when making logical decisions about infrared saunas.

 

What Is an Infrared Sauna?

Infrared saunas are those that convert light to heat. These infrared saunas rely on infrared panels to emit radiant heat that can readily penetrate the human skin and tissue. You could also refer to it as Waon or Infrared Therapy.

The infrared light sauna often operates at a much lower temperature than the conventional option. Usually, you would expect it to run at around 120 or 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Notably, 80% of this heat will get into your skin, while approximately 20% is lost in the air. It will also be fair to mention that this sauna heats your body, and not necessarily the air around you.

Whether you are in a health spa or at home, using this spa is relatively straightforward, and the effects are the same. You could either buy or build one, depending on your budget, skills, and preferences.

 

Health Benefits of Using an Infrared Sauna

Various benefits come with using infrared saunas. From physical and emotional to health advantages, you can barely overlook the significance of these devices. But how about a look at some of the top health merits of using this infrared sauna?

Here are some you might want to keep in mind.

Did you know that removing any built-up toxins in the body comes in handy in leading a healthier life? Infrared saunas will always subject you to extensive heat, ensuring that you sweat and detoxify the body of heavy metals.

Whether it is alcohol, sulfuric acid, or nicotine, the toxin will be out of your body within a relatively short time. Through this, you will be sure of better blood circulation.

You can hardly overlook the pain that comes with sore muscles, joints, and even arthritis.

Thankfully, infrared saunas will come to your rescue, as they help address inflammation, soreness, and stiffness in various body parts. This way, you will be sure of your muscles and tissues relaxing and accessing enough blood and air.

Did you know that heat helps remove dead skin and any embedded impurities and toxins? With this infrared sauna, you will be confident of getting a youthful and more glowing skin in the long run.

What is more, you could rely on it for improved skin tone, texture, and even elasticity. From acne and eczema to psoriasis, this is the ultimate solution to your skin problems.

There is no denying that these infrared wavelengths will readily increase your body temperature, which induces a false fever.

This development means that the body will develop a mechanism to fight the condition, prompting the immune system to be much healthier. What is more, toxin elimination implies that your body will be less susceptible to diseases.

Many people worldwide are worried about their weight, and the solution will always be these infrared saunas. Thanks to the heat produced, the body will effortlessly burn calories, leaving you much lighter in the long run.

Within 30 minutes, the body will have burned approximately 300 to 800 calories, which is an incredible number. It is in this light that infrared therapy is referred to as passive aerobic workout.

Nothing could keep you more rejuvenated, relaxed, and renewed than a moment in an infrared sauna. From the heat to the comfort provided, you will always feel at home.

Typically, this sauna will ensure that your body is in a parasympathetic state, ensuring that your body restores and heals itself. This is a solution for your fatigue and stress, as it will calm your mind and body.

One of the things that are likely to surprise you is how saunas help address diabetes. Ideally, it is a therapy that not only manages the condition but also reduces various side effects.

From toxin elimination and internal organ cleansing to enhanced circulation and infrared resonance, diabetes will hardly eat you as much. The more time you spend in this sauna, the lesser you will have to worry about your condition.

 

How to Choose an Infrared Sauna?

Choosing the right infrared sauna is a daunting task, yet it is not an impossibility. While it could take a long time and too many efforts, you will be sure of getting the best if you are cautious.

Pay attention to your desired sauna’s most critical aspects, as this will ensure you make logical decisions down the road.

Here are some of the most important things you should consider.

• Check the Safety Certifications

It will always be vital for you to focus on your safety. Confirming the certifications will be the best way. Take the time to verify whether your chosen device has met all the necessary safety and performance standards.

• How Comfortable Is It?

There is no denying that you will always appreciate an infrared sauna that provides you with unmatched comfort. Usually, the design will tell you how much luxury the choice will give you.

Take the time to confirm how premium the furniture is, and whether the wood is fine-grained.

• Is custom-made molding?
• Are the seats suitable for your weight and size?

The design needs to complement your preferences thoughtfully.

• Check the Wood

The chosen wood will always define how much comfort and health benefits you get in the long run. Mostly, smooth, vertical grain woods will be the right option for you.

You could consider either hemlock or western red cedar, as they assure you of longevity and less toxicity. Their hypoallergenic nature allows you to have the best time in the sauna.

• Decide on Which Panel to Choose

Usually, the chosen panel will determine how much heat you get in the long run. In most cases, you will have to choose between carbon and ceramic panels, as they are the most accessible and reliable.

If you are looking for an affordable option, ceramic panels will be your choice.

Carbon panels will assure you of even and broader heat distribution is no secret. You will also get smitten by how fast they tend to heat. As if that is not enough, you will be free to lean on them, providing you with enhanced convenience and comfort.

• Confirm the Size

Nothing beats the significance of size when choosing infrared saunas, as they will determine the comfort you have in the long run. These infrared saunas come in sizes of between 1 man and 6 persons, and choosing a bigger one will often be better.

As long as you have enough space to fit it, you will have no reason to worry. While at it, pay attention to the area at your disposal. If this space can only accommodate a small infrared sauna, let it be your focus and vice versa.

• Cost

It is no surprise that people will always pay attention to what they can comfortably afford. Whenever you are shopping for your infrared sauna, ensure that you consider something that will not hurt your budget.

Take the time to compare what different options are at your disposal and whether they will give you value for money. Remember, quality should supersede the cost at all times.

 

Tips for Using Infrared Saunas

Everyone looks forward to maximizing health benefits from these infrared saunas, and you should be no exception. Here are the tips you will want to consider in this pursuit.

• Be Cautious About What You Drink

Taking alcohol before drowning yourself in a sauna is one of the biggest mistakes you could ever make. This move will expose you to significant dehydration, making your experience in the sauna one of the poorest. Instead, you could consider taking plenty of water.

• Sitting Position Matters

The sitting position often determines how much health benefits you get. Experts suggest that an upright position is more beneficial, as it allows heat to reach most parts of the body.

• Do Not Carry Electronic Gadgets to the Sauna

Whether you have a tab or your smartphone, ensure that you keep it away from the infrared sauna. That is because the infrared wavelength could tamper with the hardware.

• Know When to Schedule Your Session

The best time for you to schedule your infrared sauna session will be dependent on your needs. For instance, evening sessions will be suitable for those with sleeping and fatigue issues. That is because it allows the individual to rest before they can get to bed.

 

How to Build Your Infrared Sauna?

You could build an infrared sauna either from scratch or from infrared sauna kits.

It involves the following steps.

• Collect the measurements of the space at your disposal and build the foundation
• Gather all the necessary materials, tools, lumber, hardware, and amenities
• Cut your lumber to size, often according to the space you have
• Decide where you will fix your benches and door
• Settle on the preferred heater and the type of heater
• Now is the time to begin construction, and fastening the boards is where you begin
• Take the time to insulate the boards. Fiberglass insulation is an excellent option
• Install your chosen heating element
• You could add a few rocks and set up the benches
• Fix the lighting

 

FAQs

1. Are Infrared Saunas Safe?

There is no denying that infrared saunas are generally safe for healthy people.

Thanks to the advanced technology, you will be sure of less adverse effects on your health. All they will do is make you sweat and ensure that the detox process is successful. However, you cannot use these saunas when you are on specific medications.

Infrared lights have proven to be non-invasive, a reason that makes them suitable for the treatment of different conditions. However, too much unnecessary exposure could pose a problem for some people. For this reason, ensure that you use the infrared saunas only when there is a need.

Usually, it will not be advisable for you to get into these saunas if you have low blood pressure or kidney conditions. Further, people on drugs that could cause drowsiness or dizziness will have to avoid infrared saunas too. Pregnancy, old age, heart conditions, low immune systems, and nerve malfunctions should keep you away from these saunas also.

2. How Much Do Infrared Saunas Cost?

Various aspects go into determining how much you will pay for an infrared sauna. From the brand to the condition of your chosen sauna, the price will always vary.

• Most new and advanced options will cost you up to $9000.
• On the other hand, you could consider more affordable options, which are mostly prefab kits. These kits could cost you anywhere between $1500 and $9000.

The choice will depend on how much you can pay. Remember that you do not have to invest in robust and costly wood, as infrared saunas do not expose you to too much moisture.

 

Conclusion

As you look forward to rejuvenating your body, let your focus be on finding the best infrared sauna. The insights provided here are not exhaustive, but they provide you with the stepping stone you have envisioned for a long time. It is all that you need.