by One Playground
Infrared Saunas
From the Roman Baths to Scandinavian retreats and soon to the heart of Surry Hills, Sydney, saunas have long been a popular method to soothe, relax and rejuvenate.
In recent years, a new innovation in sauna technology has taken the wellness scene by storm, offering heightened benefits to a traditional sauna: the infrared sauna.
With even the likes of NASA taking an interest, why has the popularity of infrared saunas skyrocketed, how do they differ from traditional models, and what benefits can we expect from regular use?
What is the Difference Between a Traditional Sauna and an Infrared Sauna?
Traditional saunas heat the air, which in turn warms your body. In contrast, infrared saunas use infrared light to directly heat your body at lower temperatures. This method not only provides a more intense heat sensation but also allows for deeper penetration into the skin.
While traditional saunas typically operate at higher temperatures, infrared saunas induce sweating at lower temperatures by employing infrared light, which can penetrate deeper into the skin layers. This means you might sweat more and experience intensified benefits, even though the sauna itself is cooler.
Infrared Saunas vs Traditional Saunas vs Red Light Therapy
Although the experience of the two types of saunas is similar, infrared and traditional saunas are fundamentally different. They are also distinct from Red Light Therapy.
Let’s take a topline look at the science:
- UV Light. This non-visible type of light is what gives us a tan (and sunburn) and helps to create vitamin D in our skin.
- Visible Light. This is what you think of when you think of light: visible brightness consisting of all colours of the rainbow from red and yellow to green and blue, and of course white. Red Light Therapy uses part of this light spectrum while infrared saunas do not.
- Infrared Light. Infrared can be split into ‘near-infrared’, ‘middle-infrared’ and ‘far-infrared’. Whilst not visible to the human eye, most types of infrared can feel hot on the skin.
Red light therapy uses the red part of the visible light spectrum and a small part of the near-infrared light spectrum that is non-heating.
Infrared saunas use either far-infrared or all three near, middle and far-infrared wavelengths. Each of these types of infrared light has biological benefits on the body.
7 Benefits of Infrared Saunas
1. Relaxation and Stress Relief
There’s no doubt that a sauna offers a sanctuary from daily stressors. The simple act of leaving your phone outside and disconnecting from the world in a warm, relaxing environment is undoubtedly going to help you switch off and unwind.
But there is a science behind these feelings of relaxation! In fact, one study showed that 60% of participants saw a positive response in improving mental health.
This is because infrared saunas help to balance the body’s cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone. Infrared can also activate serotonin-producing cells, increasing the levels of the ‘happy hormone’ in the body.
So if you leave an infrared sauna feeling better than you did when you went in, there’s a reason why!
2. Detoxification
As infrared heat penetrates more deeply than traditional saunas, users sweat more at lower temperatures. This induces a thermal stress in the body, increasing peripheral circulation and in turn the amount you sweat.
This extra sweat plays an important role in the detoxification process by removing inorganic ions in the body such as heavy metals.
A recent study showed a higher inorganic ion concentration in the sweat of participants who had spent time in a sauna, showcasing how toxic heavy metals are removed from the body through sweat excretion.
3. Athletic Recovery
A popular time of day to use an infrared sauna is after a workout with infrared helping the neuromuscular system to recover from maximal endurance performance.
This is because infrared heat penetrates deeply into the neuromuscular system, helping the muscles to relax and reducing the severity of post-workout soreness.
There is also a suggestion that Infrared saunas can improve musculature power due to positive effects on the function of fast-twitch muscle fibres.
They say you should recover harder than you work out. Infrared is on hand to help!
4. Pain relief
More in-depth research is needed on this one, however, some preliminary studies suggest that Infrared sauna use can help to reduce pain, helping those suffering from chronic pain, headaches, peripheral nerve pain, and fibromyalgia.
While it’s unlikely that Infrared saunas will solve the direct cause of pain, a session in the heat can likely ease some of the symptoms.
5. Improved Circulation
As an infrared sauna heats the body, the blood vessels dilate to prevent the body from overheating. This dilation allows for improved blood circulation throughout the body.
This helps to remove waste products (much like sweating does) but also distributes oxygen and nutrients through the body, organs and skin, improving their functioning.
That’s one more reason why you feel so rejuvenated after a sauna session!
6. Improved Heart Health
Heart health is high on the list of priorities for overall well-being and avoiding severe illnesses in the future.
Time in an infrared sauna has been shown to increase heart rate and blood flow and improve blood pressure. In fact, researchers have compared the benefits to that of going on a brisk walk.
For example, a study showed that patients with coronary artery problems who had an infrared sauna at 60 °C for 15 min daily for 2 weeks had significantly lower systolic blood pressure than those who did not.
With blood pressure being one the best predictors of future cardiovascular problems such as strokes, regular infrared sauna use can be a great factor in improving heart health and overall well-being.
7. Skin health & complexion
The benefits of an infrared sauna are not limited to the internal body; you might see improvements in your skin health as well.
From reducing wrinkles to improving scars & texture, there are a few reasons why these benefits occur. Infrared light increases tissue growth and cell regeneration as well as increases collagen and elastin contents from the stimulated fibroblasts.
For example, one study showed that participants who spent time in an infrared sauna reported 51-75% improvements in roughness and skin texture.
Another study found that participants experienced significantly improved skin complexion and skin feeling as well as collagen ultrasonography examples demonstrating a collagen density increase.
So if you’re looking to improve your complexion, an infrared sauna could be just what you need.
How frequently should you use an Infrared Sauna to see the benefits?
The amount of time regularly needed in the sauna will depend on the benefits you most want to achieve.
15-20 minutes is sufficient for general health benefits such as detoxification, stress relief, heart health and skin improvements.
If you’re experiencing post-workout soreness or looking for fat loss, then more intense longer sessions are needed and spending closer to half an hour in the sauna would be more effective.
One constant is that to benefit most, regular use is key. Aim to spend 3 times a week, more if available, in an infrared sauna.
Make sure to rehydrate after and if you experience symptoms such as dizziness and headaches, consult with a medical professional before use.
How can I access Infrared saunas at One Playground?
With the opening of One Playground Urban Oasis coming to Surry Hills very soon, accessing an infrared sauna is even easier. Escape the urban jungle and recover and revitalise with both infrared and regular saunas as well as a magnesium shower and ice plunges.
