Infrared Sauna Benefits

Infrared saunas are fast becoming a new health craze in the UK, with celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow hailing their health benefits, but what is the truth? We have researched and gathered the 7 best infrared sauna benefits to know before you invest in one of your own.

With a traditional sauna, heat is transferred by circulating hot air, meaning very high air temperatures are required to heat the body. In an infrared sauna, the far infrared heat rays warm your body directly. This allows a penetrating heat at a more pleasant temperature of 110 - 150°F (43 - 66°C), thus providing more health benefits and a far more enjoyable and comfortable environment.

Traditional saunas need high air temperatures to pull impurities from the body, but infrared heated saunas can directly penetrate up to 45 mm inside the body, quickly raising your core body temperature. Impurities will be released using lower temperatures for a more comfortable experience.

 A typical conventional sauna requires a power supply of up to 7kW and requires an electrician to install. Our largest far infrared sauna needs only a power supply capable of delivering 2.4kW and can be run directly from a domestic 3 pin socket. Because there is no steam, no venting is required and the infrared sauna cannot cause condensation or damp.

Infrared Saunas are a safe, low-cost method of removing toxins from the skin. Some of the benefits include:

1. An improved skin complexion

Over time, dirt and sweat, exposure to synthetic clothing, chlorinated water and various chemicals can lead to a build-up of toxins in the skin. The heat from the sauna allows for the removal of these toxins from the skin through increased heat and perspiration, leaving you with a healthier looking complexion.

2. Cell regeneration

Infrared therapy has also been known to promote wound healing through growth hormone stimulation. Many even believe regular sauna sessions to have anti-ageing properties.

3. Detoxification through increased sweating

Medical studies show that most toxins in the body can be removed through the skin which helps reduce the load on the liver and kidneys. Heat from far infrared wavelengths encourages perspiration. This process gradually aids the removal of heavy metals and toxic chemicals. Sweating through exercise alone is not as effective for the detoxification process, therefore saunas are fantastic for detoxifying the body.

man in far infrared sauna room

4. Enhanced circulation

One of the most significant benefits of infrared sauna therapy is to the cardiovascular system.  Using saunas regularly can have many exercise benefits including improved blood flow and oxidation of the tissues without expending as much energy. Repeated use can help to lower high blood pressure and increase the elasticity of the arteries.

When the body is heated, blood rushes towards the skin and blood vessels expand to help control the heat, this helps to decongest internal organs, improving circulation.

5. Improved results from exercise

Not only do infrared saunas provide a range of natural health benefits, but they can also be used as part of your exercise regime to get the most out of your body. Regular sauna use after exercise has been clinically proven to promote weight loss, with a study at Binghamton University finding that those who used far infrared saunas after a gym session losing more body fat than those who did not.

For the average man, 30-minute sessions in under the infrared lights can burn calories at a higher rate than cycling or playing tennis for the same amount of time.

6. Fever relief (hyperthermia)

Those with low body temperatures can struggle to overcome some chronic infections, raising body temperature has been shown to aid the body in killing bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. Heightened body temperature induces an artificial fever, helping the kill off bacteria and strengthen your immune system's response to infections.

7. Pain relief

Because infrared saunas penetrate the body directly, they can be a great method of relieving pain caused by chronic conditions such as arthritis. Regular infrared sauna sessions can relieve chronic pain from the muscles and joints through the stimulation of blood through the affected areas. 

This study found that, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, that almost all patients experienced reduced pain and stiffness almost immediately during and after and regular sessions helped with feelings of chronic fatigue.

Even celebrities like Lady Gaga use infrared sauna therapy to help combat joint pain issues from injuries or diseases.

Other infrared sauna health benefits include:

  • Cardiovascular rehabilitation
  • allergies
  • skin conditions
  • chemical sensitivity
  • chronic fatigue relief

When to use a sauna

The average time spent in an infrared sauna to enjoy maximum benefits is about 30 minutes per session, 3-4 times a week.

While sauna use is not dangerous for most individuals, it is advisable to consult a doctor before purchasing an infrared sauna for home use if you have pre-existing medical conditions.

We have a wide range of infrared home sauna models from one-person models through to four-person models. All models are easy to install, quick to heat up, consume a low amount of energy and are easy to clean. For the ultimate infrared sauna experience, search our available models or get in touch today.