Infrared Sauna Guide – What is an Infrared Sauna Good For?

Infrared saunas have grown in popularity and have been known to provide ample health benefits that have left people raving.

While saunas used to be found only in wellness centers, gyms, and spas, they have now become a popular addition to homes across the world.

If you’ve been thinking of investing in an infrared sauna for your home, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about infrared saunas so that you can make the most informed decision when it comes time to buy.

From what an infrared sauna is and how they differ from traditional saunas to the health benefits you can experience and how to best use one, you’ll find it all in this article.

Let’s get started.

What is an Infrared Sauna?

An infrared sauna is a style of sauna that uses specific wavelengths of light to heat the body.

These wavelengths are able to penetrate through your skin, heating your body directly without needing to heat the air around you.

This creates a comfortable sauna experience and allows you to enjoy each session for longer periods of time than you may be able to withstand in a traditional sauna.

What’s The Difference Between a Traditional Sauna and an Infrared Sauna

This is a common question, and there are a few things that make traditional saunas and infrared saunas stand apart from one another.

Traditional saunas use water poured over hot rock to produce steam. This steam then heats the air around your body, causing you to warm up and begin to sweat.

The heat in a traditional sauna is more humid, and temperatures often reach around 150℉ to 180℉.

Infrared saunas, on the other hand, don’t need to heat the air around you or fill it with moisture to raise your body temperature. Instead, the lightwaves heat your skin and underlying tissues directly.

Because of this, infrared saunas have a much lower temperature range, often remaining between 120℉ and 140℉.

This makes for a much dryer heat thats more comfortable to be in.

5 Best Infrared Sauna Benefits

Infrared saunas provide a wide range of health benefits that can be helpful for people of any lifestyle.

Here are some of the most popular benefits these saunas have been known to provide.

1. Relaxation

This is one of the most basic benefits you’ll experience during and after your sweat sessions.

Once you step into your sauna, your skin will slowly begin to heat up, creating a cozy feeling as you lean back and enjoy a moment of quiet relaxation.

Not only will the warmth ease your aching muscles, but it also helps stop your mind from wandering, slowing you down and giving you a chance to rest and combat your daily stress.

2. Pain Relief

If you suffer from chronic pain, adding a short 20-minute sauna session into your daily routine can have a significant impact on your pain levels.

As your body temperature rises, your circulation improves, helping your blood travel more effectively through your body.

This helps decrease inflammation and can improve the stiffness or tension that may be causing the pain.

3. Muscle Recovery

Studies have shown that infrared heat can have a positive effect on muscle recovery following a workout.

This is in large part due to the increase in your circulation, as oxygen-rich blood is better able to move through your body and support the overworked muscles.

Additionally, the soothing heat helps your muscles relax, helping them regain some mobility and combat any exercise-induced inflammation.

4. Better Heart Health

As your body temperature rises, your heart naturally beats faster as it works to regulate it.

This simple act helps your heart become stronger and better able to pump your blood throughout your body, even outside the sauna.

Furthermore, studies have shown that enjoying a relaxing sweat session in your sauna can have positive improvements on your blood pressure as well because of the improved circulation.

5. Stronger Immune System

The heat from an infrared sauna deeply penetrates your soft tissue and can increase your body’s production of white blood cells.

This helps your body become stronger and more resilient against viruses and colds.

Additionally, this sudden rise in body temperature can trigger your body into the same state of defense as a typical fever, promoting certain cells to act more effectively than when your body is at its normal resting temperature.

Tips For Using an Infrared Sauna

While using an infrared sauna is safe, there are certainly some things that will ensure your experience is pure bliss.

Here are some easy tips to make sure you get the most enjoyment out of every sweat session.

Stay Hydrated

Keeping your body well-hydrated throughout your session is important.

Before using your sauna, ensure you drink plenty of water so that you’re able to avoid dehydration as you sweat.

Then after your session, you’ll want to rehydrate again.

Start Slowly

When you first begin using your sauna, you’ll want to start slowly.

While it’s certainly tempting to jump in and enjoy a long session right away, it’s best to work your body up to longer exposure times.

For your first few sessions, start with a lower temperature, and enjoy a quick 10-minute session, working your way up to longer ones over time.

Listen to Your Body

Being aware of how you’re feeling and responding to any signals your body is sending you is essential when using your infrared sauna.

If you begin feeling light-headed, dizzy, or nauseous, you’ll want to get out of the sauna, drink some water, and cool off.

Cool Down Slowly

Going from one temperature extreme to another isn’t ideal, and to reap the full benefits of your session, you’ll want to give your body time to slowly readjust to its resting temperature.

Doing this is simple.

All you have to do is exit your sauna and find somewhere to sit and relax as your temperature comes back down.

This is the perfect time to have some water to rehydrate as well.

Shower Afterward

After you’ve cooled down, you’ll want to jump into the shower and rinse off.

As your body sweats, it flushes out toxins, and you’ll want to rinse any sweat off your body before it reabsorbs into your skin.

This will also help keep your skin glowing and less irritated by ensuring it’s clean after your session is done.

Best Infrared Saunas In Southeastern Pennsylvania

Adding an infrared sauna to your home is the perfect way to create a private retreat that not only helps you give back to yourself but helps you feel your best.

With their wide range of benefits and comfortable temperatures, infrared saunas are a top choice for anyone searching for a natural way to support their health and well-being.

At Jacuzzi Hot Tubs of Southeastern PA, our team is passionate about bringing the highest quality infrared saunas to our customers.

With five convenient locations, your dream sauna may be just around the corner.

Visit your local showroom, or contact us today to redefine your relaxation routine!