Exploring sauna therapy for optimal health and wellness reveals a practice with centuries of history and a recent surge in popularity thanks to its diverse health benefits. Whether you're a seasoned sauna user or considering adding it to your wellness routine, understanding the differences between traditional saunas and infrared saunas is essential. Each type offers unique advantages, and knowing which suits you best can help you optimise your health and well-being.
Let’s explore the benefits, differences, and best practices for using both types of saunas.
Types of Saunas
1. Traditional Saunas (Finnish Saunas)
These saunas heat the air around you to high temperatures, usually between 150°F and 190°F. The heat source can be an electric stove or a wood-burning stove. Water can be ladled over hot stones to create steam, enhancing the experience.
2. Infrared Saunas
Infrared saunas use infrared light (near, mid, and far-infrared) to heat the body directly rather than heating the air. The maximum temperature typically reaches 150°F. These saunas offer a gentler heat experience by penetrating deep into the tissues.
Benefits of Sauna Therapy
Traditional Sauna Benefits
- Cardiovascular Health: Increases heart rate and mimics the effects of a mild workout, improving circulation and overall heart health.
- Detoxification: Intense heat induces sweating, helping eliminate toxins through the skin.
- Muscle Relaxation and Pain Relief: Effective for reducing muscle soreness, joint pain, and promoting relaxation.
- Stress Relief: Lowers cortisol levels and releases endorphins, enhancing mood and reducing stress.
- Immune Support: The heat helps stimulate white blood cell production, improving immune response.
A drawback of sauna use is that the high temperatures can be difficult to tolerate for some individuals, especially those with certain health conditions.
Infrared Sauna Benefits
- Deep Tissue Penetration: Far-infrared light penetrates up to 4 centimetres into tissues, providing deeper muscle and joint relief.
- Enhanced Detoxification: More effective at eliminating specific toxins like mercury, cadmium, and uranium.
- Improved Circulation: Increases heart rate and promotes better blood flow with a gentler heat experience.
- Weight Management: Helps burn calories and boost metabolism as the body cools down post-sauna.
- Skin Health: Near-infrared light boosts collagen production, reducing wrinkles and improving skin elasticity.
- Mitochondrial Health: Supports cellular energy production through light therapy benefits.
The downside of infrared saunas is that they might not provide the intense heat preferred by some traditional sauna users.
Comparing Traditional and Infrared Saunas
| TRADITIONAL SAUNA | INFRARED SAUNA | |
| Temperature Range | 150°F to 190°F (65°C to 88°C) | Up to 150°F (65°C) |
| Heating Mechanism | Heats air around you | Heats body directly via infrared |
| Tolerance | It is harder to tolerate high-heat | Easier to tolerate |
| Detoxification | Effective for general detox | Superior for heavy metal detox |
| Penetration Depth | Surface-level heating | Up to 4 cm deep |
| Skin Benefits | Promotes sweating and cleansing | Collagen boost, anti-ageing |
| Setup | Often larger, it needs ventilation | Compact, suitable for home use |
How to Prepare for Your Sauna Session
1. Hydrate
Ensure you are well-hydrated before entering the sauna. Drink water infused with electrolytes or trace minerals (like Beam Minerals) to support hydration and mineral balance.
2. Detox Support
If using the sauna for detox, consider taking a liver-support supplement like Quicksilver’s Liver Sauce 20 minutes before your session. Follow up with a binder (activated charcoal, bentonite clay) afterward to capture and eliminate toxins.
3. Activate your Lymphatic System
- Apply the Free Method; a simple and free approach is to lightly bounce on the balls of your feet for 5-10 minutes.
- Dry brushingwith a loofah or dry brush can stimulate lymphatic flow by brushing towards your heart.
- If you have a rebounder(mini trampoline), bouncing lightly for 10 minutes can also be beneficial.
- Vibration therapy, such as using a Power Plate, can help get things moving before a sauna session.
Post-Sauna
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Rinse Off: After your session, rinse off to remove toxins released through sweat. Consider a cold shower for added contrast therapy benefits.
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Rehydrate: Drink plenty of water with electrolytes to replenish lost fluids.
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Rest and Recover: Allow time for your body to relax and recover, supporting the parasympathetic nervous system.
What to Look for in a Sauna
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Low EMF Levels: Choose saunas with low electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions to minimise exposure.
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Quality Materials: Ensure the sauna uses non-toxic materials (wood, adhesives) that won’t off-gas harmful chemicals when heated.
- Space and Convenience: If space is limited, consider portable infrared sauna options like dome saunas or compact single-person models.
Final Thoughts
Both traditional and infrared saunas offer incredible health benefits, from detoxification and muscle recovery to stress relief and skin health. The best sauna for you is the one that fits your preferences, health needs, and lifestyle.
If you’re new to sauna therapy, try both types at a local spa or wellness clinic to determine which one you’ll enjoy and use consistently. Consistency is key to reaping the long-term benefits of sauna therapy.
Ready to work up a sweat to improve your health? Use saunas that emit fewer electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and adhere to the above advice to minimise exposure and take advantage of the body and mind-transforming benefits!
The content of this article is for informational purposes only.
It’s not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or health provider before starting a new health regime or program.
Do not ignore medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you’ve read on this site or any Youth & Earth product.
