Saunas have been a way of life for Europeans wanting to lead a healthy lifestyle for centuries. The earliest saunas date back to 2000 B.C. A lot has changed since then. Saunas can now be found in homes, spas, and gyms around the world. Many cultures have enjoyed the benefits of the intense heat of a traditional steam or dry sauna, but a new breed of sauna is making waves in the wellness industry.
Infrared saunas have seen a rapid increase in popularity over the last few years. Many people find infrared to be a less intense and more pleasant experience than a traditional sauna. But without the intense heat, can an infrared sauna really provide the same benefits? Let’s compare these two types of saunas and see for ourselves.
The Differences Between Traditional and Infrared Sauna
When you think of a sauna, what probably comes to mind is a wood-lined room with stones that radiate heat. This traditional style of sauna originated in Finland centuries ago. In a traditional sauna, the stones are heated, and water is poured over them to create a hot, humid atmosphere. The body’s ability to raise its core temperature to a beneficial level relies on a high amount of convection heat in the surrounding atmosphere. Temperatures range from 150 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. This level of heat can create quite an intense atmosphere that induces heavy sweating and increased heart rate. Enduring this level of heat for the time required to achieve maximum benefits can be very uncomfortable, if not impossible for many people.
Infrared saunas heat the body in a much different way than a traditional sauna. An infrared sauna uses parts of the light spectrum that are invisible to the eye but can be felt through heat. The part of the light spectrum that comprises infrared light includes near, mid, and far-infrared light. Not all infrared saunas utilize all three parts of the infrared spectrum (the ReSet sauna does!), but each one offers something slightly different to the infrared sauna experience. The heat produced by these light waves creates an atmospheric temperature between 100- and 150-degrees Fahrenheit. The nature of this type of heat makes it capable of producing profound health benefits within the body without the need for high intensity.
The main difference between the two types of saunas is the way in which they heat the body. As we learned, traditional saunas rely on convection heat to warm the air in the atmosphere which then raises the body’s temperature. Infrared saunas utilize radiant heat, which penetrates the body and raises the temperature from the inside out. The unique ability of infrared waves to penetrate the body is what allows the body to experience numerous benefits without the need for excessive heat.
Which is More Beneficial?
Both infrared and traditional saunas provide outstanding benefits to your health. Some of the benefits achieved from sauna include improvements for cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid diseases, and chronic fatigue and pain syndromes, along with a positive influence on exercise performance, skin moisture barrier properties, and muscle recovery. The problem with achieving these results from a traditional sauna is the level of heat required to create the desired effect on the body may be unbearable for most people. An infrared sauna gives you the benefits of a traditional sauna in a much more comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Not only is an infrared sauna more pleasant, but it also has some unique benefits.
The infrared sauna’s unique health benefits come from the way in which it heats the body. The infrared saunas at ReSet Lounge are especially effective because they include the full infrared spectrum. Each part of the infrared spectrum penetrates the body’s tissues to a different depth. When infrared rays enter the body, they stimulate the part of the cell that produces energy. These energy-producing parts of the cell, called mitochondria, are especially sensitive to infrared light. All the body’s functions depend on the healthy functioning of mitochondria. Even if a session in an infrared sauna does not cause you to sweat excessively, your cells are still getting all the benefits from the infrared waves.
Even if you haven’t enjoyed traditional saunas in the past, we are sure that you will find a session in our infrared sauna pleasant, relaxing and rejuvenating. An infrared sauna session at ReSet Lounge will provide you with the benefits of the full spectrum of infrared light. Additionally, our saunas feature chromotherapy which is the science of using colors to adjust body vibrations to frequencies that result in health and harmony. Book your session in our state-of-the-art infrared sauna today.