Personal Infrared Sauna Guide 2025

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Infrared Sauna Benefits

The public are just catching onto the benefits of infrared saunas.  Also personal saunas have become more practical to be set up in houses and condos. This is because unlike traditional steam or dry saunas these heat through rays and can be used more efficiently by temperature than traditional sauna.

Improved Blood Circulation

Infrared saunas heat our bodies up which get our hearts pumping faster as if in a workout.  As Japanese studies have shown, two weeks of daily saunas improves vascular function in patients with mild heart damage and are safer than standard exercise. Through use of infrared saunas our blood flow increases even after our saunas sessions ends.  Additional studies have shown that saunas decrease blood pressure and increase arterial compliance which means healthier and more stress resistant arteries.

Immune System Benefits

Heating our bodies up produces a natural fever state that aids us in fighting off infections and illnesses. So an additional benefit is the creation of disease fighting white blood cells.  Heating the body spurs our immune system to increase production of these cells that flight off incoming diseases and keep our immunity higher.

Lyme Disease Recovery

Doctors recommend the use of saunas to help the body battle the symptoms of Lyme disease.  Author and lifehacker Tim Ferriss credits saunas with helping him in his battle with lyme disease.  The body accumulates a higher level of toxins (including damaging neurotoxins),  Therefore the infrared saunas aids in recovery by allowing the sweat to eliminate them internally.  This requires a slow build up of sessions starting at once a week to several times per week as needed. This also helps with the sore muscles and pain associated with the disease.

Detoxification

Infrared saunas have been shown to be 7x more effective than traditional saunas.  This detoxification is achieved through eliminating toxins through the sweat glands.  Because of air conditioning and increasingly sedentary lifestyles people no longer sweat like we used to.  As our skin absorbs pollutants or gets increasingly clogged this puts additional strain on our organs to detoxify.  Just as the body creates a fever to rid itself of harmful microorganisms, saunas can protect us and raise our immunity levels.

Infrared Saunas and  Weight Loss

While not a stand-alone fix infrared saunas are a valuable addition to any weight loss toolkit.  Saunas mimic a workout at the gym by increasing our heart rate and the body responds by increasing oxygen flow and burning calories.  A whopping 600 calories can be consumed during a half hour infrared saunas session.

Skincare

Finns have been noted to have incredible skin which is no doubt at least partially due to the popularity of sauna in their country.  Infrared waves help spur the body into increasing production of collagen and elastin. Collagen is well-known to keep skin resilient and glowing and elastin keeps wrinkles away.  As blood flow increases towards the skin during a session there are increased nutrient benefits keeping us look younger and healthier.

Relaxation and socializing

Saunas have traditionally been popular spots for distraction-free socializing.  Saunas allow for private and quiet environments for socialization. The relaxation of the heat and natural wooden ambiance lend themselves to relaxing time to catch-up, get to know each other better, or simply enjoy a peaceful moment silence together.  The best saunas are designed to be relaxing environments for a time out from the rest of the world. In a natural wooden environment free from distractions the sauna has become an oasis of calm for many.

Mental Benefits

The benefits of saunas on mental health is become more and more understood and widely known.  Saunas have been shown to effectively work to prevent alzheimer’s and other mental afflictions.  Part of this is due to the increased production of myelin which helps increase the rate neurons enter and leave the brain.  

Pain Relief & Muscle

Saunas are popular to use after a strenuous workout for several good reasons.  The first is that the increased circulation helps to deliver oxygen rich blood to the deprived muscles as well as relaxing the muscles.  Saunas have also been reported to significantly raise human growth hormone that counteracts the effects of aging and increases muscle mass.  Studies have also been done to prove the long term pain reducing effects of regular sauna use.

What to think about when buying a sauna

Size Needs

Are you planning on using this sauna socially?  Would you like to be able to recline in the sauna?  If so space is an important factor to consider. While smaller saunas are lighter, cheaper, and more efficient; many people prefer the options of a larger indoor sauna.  Choose the sauna that best meets your needs.

Types of heaters

The type and number of heaters will greatly impact the feeling and healing effects of your sauna  Things to consider are the placement of the heaters, the type of heaters, and the number of heaters.  Ceramic infrared heaters have largely been replaced by more efficient and popular carbon heaters. The benefit of more heaters is felt in a more evenly heated sauna experience.  

Types of Wood

It is important to insulate a sauna as much as possible to reduce heat loss and help it run efficiently.  Two things to keep in mind are the thickness of the wood and the type of wood used.

Basswood- Fragrance free and hypoallergenic, this type of wood is unlikley to warp as well.  

Cedar- Pleasing looking with a good response to moisture this wood will not expand and contract with heat as much as other woods.  

Hemlock- A dependable and good looking wood this is a more affordable option popular for sauna construction.

Safe Use

The best way to understand the safety reputation of a sauna as you are shopping is to look for the ISO and CE certifications.  These certifications help ensure that the saunas are built to code and minimize risk factors. It is important that the companies building the saunas have a good reputation.