Saunas are not a new thing. On the contrary, they have been in use by numerous cultures for millennia. While their design remains mostly unchanged, some technological inclusions still alter some aspects of their operation. Consequently, there are two main sauna types today: traditional and infrared. The process of choosing which sauna suits you best comes down to your personal preferences even after you put them side by side and list everything about them –including their similar and different health benefits.
So, how do you begin the selection process? Before digging into their differences, let’s start by learning more about the infrared sauna.
What distinguishes traditional and infrared saunas?
Traditional, Finnish or steam saunas work by using hot rocks to bring up the temperature in a room. This heat makes you sweat, while the steam the hot rocks generate helps hydrate your skin.
Infrared saunas don’t warm the room’s air. Instead, they use infrared light to heat your body directly. Therefore, your body can reach a higher core temperature without you becoming uncomfortable.
There are several factors to consider when comparing the two types of saunas, such as:
Heat Intensity and Distribution
Traditional sauna operating temperatures typically fall between 66°C and 90°C. Moreover, your body’s increased temperature is a result of the heat warming the air. Unfortunately, the heat and steam-produced humidity mean this type of sauna can get too hot for some people to bear.
Infrared saunas operate at much lower temperatures (often between 43 and 60°C) than traditional ones. But don’t let the numbers fool you; an infrared sauna can make you sweat more intensely. In fact, because the infrared light gets deeper into the skin, which directly warms the body and raises core temperature, many users say they feel more comfortable.
Energy Efficiency
As mentioned above, infrared saunas heat bodies directly rather than the air; hence, they use less energy. Over time, their reduced running costs can result from their efficiency, making it cost-effective to use them regularly.
Sweating and Detoxification
Although both types of saunas stimulate sweating, an infrared sauna might offer a more significant detoxification effect. This difference stems from how much more sweat you produce (and so how many more toxins your body releases) when exposed to the deep penetration of infrared heat.
Health Benefits
Both traditional and infrared saunas offer numerous potential health benefits, including:
· Relieving stress,
· Soothing chronic pain,
· Improving heart health
· Boosting your immune system.
· Better sleep and more radiant and healthy skin.
Infrared saunas have deeper heat penetration; therefore, they may present more advantages. This difference results from their promoting circulation, thus increasing the amount of oxygen that reaches the tissues and enabling the transfer of toxins from the cellular level to the skin’s surface.
Installation and Maintenance
Traditional saunas tend to take up more space than infrared types. Moreover, their installation is more labour-intensive. Traditional saunas also need significantly more time to heat up -up to an hour- while the infrared iteration takes just 10 to 20 minutes to reach the desired temperature.
In terms of maintenance, both types need regular cleaning. However, infrared saunas have fewer humidity-related maintenance issues, making them slightly easier to handle.
Final thoughts
Now that you understand the key differences more clearly, you can choose which sauna type works best for your goals and lifestyle.
Before you start making regular sauna visits, it’s important to consult with your doctor, particularly if you have any underlying health conditions. Additionally, contacting a high-quality, professionally staffed facility where you can enjoy your sauna sessions is best.
