It seems that you can’t scroll through Instagram at the moment without seeing a celeb or wellness blogger sitting in an infrared sauna!
So, what’s the deal with infrared saunas and why are they so popular? We decided to do some digging to see what all the fuss was about.
How does it work?
Unlike a traditional sauna, infrared saunas use light to create a dry heat, which warms the body from the inside out – and, in theory, penetrates the skin’s surface on a deeper level. While a run-of-the-mill sauna heats the air around you and will have you sweating in less than five minutes, an infrared sauna takes longer to cause sweating – around 10–15 minutes – thanks to the lower temperatures used.
What are the health benefits of this?
Apparently, infrared saunas are great for improving circulation, releasing toxins through sweat, healing infections and assisting with weight loss – amongst many other things. These results have been attributed to infrared’s ability to permeate your body at a cellular level which helps to remove toxins. According to some, infrared saunas remove up to 20 per cent of toxins from your body, compared to traditional saunas which only remove around 3 per cent.
Does it actually work?
Unfortunately, the jury’s still out! Some studies have found minimal benefits using infrared saunas for the treatment of high blood pressure, headaches and rheumatoid arthritis, but more thorough studies are yet to confirm any of this.
While the scientific evidence to back up these benefits may still be lacking, one thing is for sure, the experience of a session in an infrared sauna is undoubtedly enjoyable. For 45 minutes you are left alone in a warm, private booth which lets you play your preferred music and you’re usually not allowed to bring your phone in. So, it’s basically a delicious break from the outside world – who can resist that?
As for the positive life-changing health benefits? Time will tell.
Have you used an infrared sauna before? If so, how did you find it? Let us know in the comments below!
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