Infrared Saunas versus Steam Saunas

A lot of people have been writing to saunahelp.com asking if infrared saunas are better then traditional saunas. We’ll try and help you make your own mind in the infrared versus traditional sauna debate right here.

To start with you have to know the differences between Infrared Saunas and Traditional saunas.

Infrared saunas, which are relatively new, can provide a great way to heal the body. They have been immediately popular with people who suffer from chronic pain or arthritis. Sauna buffs the world over have been quick to adopt the many new features of the infared saunas. Infrared sauna heat is absorbed directly into the body, allowing to it penetrate both quickly and deeply and heal your body all over.

Also called far-infrared radiant (FIR) heat is a form of energy that heats objects by direct light conversion (DLC). Amazingly, DLC warms only the object and does not raise the temperature of the free air. This is completely different to a traditional sauna which heats the body with steam and hot air.

So in one hand you have the infrared heaters which warm the body in the same manner as natural sunlight, the FIR heat uses the wavelength of the sunlight’s spectrum (both visible and non visible) so that the body can be warmed in a completely “natural way”.

While some people (especially the elderly) have trouble breathing in the extremely warm air of a traditional sauna, FIR infrared saunas work differently because they heat the body directly (and not the air around the body). The result (apart from a lower power bill) and deeper tissue penetration is much the same… the body perspires and receives the health benefits associated with either sauna. The benefit of the Infrared Sauna is that is safe for all ages.

If you really can’t decide you on whether or not to get and infrared sauna or a traditional sauna, you could always get a combination sauna – this option allows you to have the benefits of both worlds.