Infrared Sauna Compared to Steam Sauna

The benefits are similar with an infrared sauna as with a traditional steam sauna, but the methods, to achieve these benefits, are different. Infrared saunas make use of infrared heaters which directly heat the body. Steam saunas use a heat source and steam to heat the air.

Infrared radiation from the heaters warms the skin directly without changing the temperature of the air inside the sauna. The body temperature increases by the infrared waves entering the body. Steam saunas originally used rocks that were heated to extreme temperatures, and these warmed the air in the sauna. When water was poured over the hot rocks, clouds of steam would rise. The body temperature of these sauna occupants was raised by the heated air and steam.

Saunas have traditionally been made to suit various numbers of people, depending whether they were for personal or public use. They have wood lined walls and bench seating. People undress and wrap towels around the body before entering a sauna.

When the body temperature is raised, the body starts to sweat. This happens quickly and efficiently in an infrared sauna because of the strength of the infrared rays. The skin was designed to sweat, and the heat of the sauna causes profuse sweating. This clears the pores of the skin and helps the body to eliminate toxins and waste products.

Saunas uses 90% less power than a steam sauna; it also works more efficiently because the body is heated directly and more deeply by the infrared rays. This means that not only the skin is cleansed; the whole body is cleansed and toxins removed from organs and circulation system, while stimulating the body's immune system.

One of our current major health hazards is pollution, because we are being exposed to chemicals, heavy metals and toxins on a regular basis. These obviously affect our health. Toxins tend to accumulate and pool in different parts of body, where they cause blockages and affect healthy cells.

Spending time in an infrared sauna will clear blocked pores in the skin, dissolve and flush out carcinogens, heavy metals, cholesterol, nicotine and sodium by allowing blood vessels to expand and release accumulated deposits of these toxins. Infrared saunas perform a great whole body detox.

Other health conditions that are relieved by spending time in an infrared sauna are fatigue, stress and muscle tension, acne, joint pain, cardiac problems and weight loss. People who have respiratory problems can safely use an infrared sauna because the body is heated, not the air.

An Infrared Sauna can come in variety of models and sizes. The most popular saunas sizes are 2 person sauna and 3-4 person corner sauna.

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