10 Healing Benefits of Infrared Saunas

In countries such as Finland, saunas have long been a central part of the culture and daily life.

Their use in Finland dates back 10,000 years, in fact, when the earliest saunas consisted of earth pits covered with animal skins.

Meanwhile, the therapeutic-for-body-mind-and-spirit use of heated rooms and spaces actually dates back eons in other cultures, too, such as the Roman balneae and thermae… the Native American sweat lodges… the Mexican and Guatemalan temascal… the Turkish hammam… and the Russian banya.

And it turns out that routine sauna use — particularly of a high-quality infrared sauna —  is indeed one of the smartest (and most enjoyable) things you can do to look your best, feel your best, and live a long life doing it.

Infrared saunas have ushered in a modern era of wellness, surpassing the traditional sauna experience by providing a gentle, penetrating heat that promotes relaxation and offers potential health advantages in a way that’s both innovative and rejuvenating.

10 Research-Based Benefits of Infrared Saunas

Beyond their powerful relaxation and stress-reduction benefits, studies show that sweating from saunas and infrared light may help:

1. Promote weight loss
2. Reduce pain
3. Reduce inflammation
4. Support cognitive health
5. Combat cognitive decline
6. Strengthen the immune system
7. Help lower blood pressure
8. Promote detoxification of the body
9. Boost athletic performance
10. Increase blood flow in the body
11. Improve the healing of wounds

The 4 Basic Types of Saunas

If you are seeking those health benefits, infrared saunas have been shown to be the best for reasons that we will review below.

However, there are four basic different types of saunas:

1. Wood-burning or “Finnish” sauna — This is the traditional sauna, often where wood burns in a stove heating rocks above it. Water is thrown on the rocks to control humidity.
2. Electrically-heated sauna — As the name implies, this type of sauna uses electricity to generate the heat versus fire.
3. Steam sauna — Also known as a steam room or Turkish-style spa, the humidity level is 100% and, of course, it’s quite steamy in there.
4. Infrared sauna — These work by using special heaters to emit infrared light and radiant  heat, which directly heat your body (rather than heating stones or the air).

Why Infrared Saunas are Best

Unlike other types of saunas, infrared saunas do not heat the surrounding air.

Instead, infrared heaters are used to penetrate the tissues in the body and heat your body directly.

First of all, many people find infrared saunas more enjoyable, because they don’t experience that “too-hot-stuffiness” that the air in traditional saunas can quickly provoke.

Most importantly, because infrared saunas cause your core temperate to rise, they enable you to sweat at lower temperatures.

You experience more of the benefits and in less time, in other words.

All 3 Types of Infrared Waves are Important

Owning and routinely using an infrared sauna is still considered a health “luxury” in this part of the world (i.e., North America).

However, as word of its range of research-backed benefits spreads, I suspect it will become more of a necessity.

If and when you do consider an infrared sauna, though, do be careful…

Many sauna brands claim to provide the “full spectrum” of infrared waves. “Full spectrum” has become one of the most overused terms in the infrared sauna industry. The trouble is, having a wavelength present isn’t the same as delivering it at a strength that actually does something.

Many brands also add LEDs for red light and near infrared. LEDs are excellent for light therapy, but on their own they emit only the narrow band they’re engineered for, so they complement full spectrum heat rather than replace it.

To sum this up: true full spectrum in an infrared sauna should mean that all three wavelengths: near, mid and far, are each present at a therapeutic intensity. That distinction determines whether you are truly getting the full range of benefits you’ve paid for. When you’re shopping for an infrared sauna, don’t simply check off a spec sheet. Ask for proof that beneficial wavelengths are delivered at a therapeutic dose.

When choosing an infrared sauna, one feature worth looking for is the inclusion of all three types of infrared wavelengths, including:

1. Near infrared, which penetrates deepest into tissue and can benefit cell health, oxygenation of tissues, and wound healing
2. Mid infrared, which can benefit circulation, weight loss, and pain relief
3. Far infrared, which is absorbed at the skin’s surface and can benefit healthy blood pressure and detoxification

Red light offers benefits similar to near infrared, and pairing the two may be even more effective. The study of red light and near infrared together is called “photobiomodulation” or PBM for short. Early research 1 shows promising results for reducing inflammation, easing pain, and speeding up tissue repair.

Another important key to look for in an infrared sauna is one that uses carbon heaters. Older infrared saunas rely on ceramic heaters, which need to get very hot to work, and do not emit as much infrared light. More advanced infrared saunas use carbon heaters. Because of their lower surface temperatures, carbon heaters can provide more beneficial infrared light.

Look for low EMF and low VOC materials, too. That’s the difference between a true wellness tool and one more source of everyday toxin exposure.

Unique Combination of Heat & Light Therapy

Regular infrared sauna sessions can be a simple, powerful habit for long-term wellness.

Here’s what happens when you relax in an infrared sauna. While a traditional sauna heats you by heating the air around you, the heat and light energy of an infrared sauna is absorbed directly by your skin. Your body carries that warmth inward, raising your core temperature. That energy supports biological processes linked to healthy aging.

As your core temperature rises, your cells respond by producing HSPs — heat shock proteins. HSPs are your body’s repair crew. They refold damaged proteins, clear cellular debris and help your cells handle stress more efficiently. Research also links this HSP response to healthier mitochondrial function and calmer inflammation levels over time.

Infrared light works alongside the heat. Near infrared penetrates deepest into tissue, while mid and far infrared are absorbed closer to the skin’s surface. Together, they support the circulation and cellular energy production behind these effects.

By addressing factors such as mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic inflammation, infrared sauna therapy is an easy and enjoyable way to take care of your body, helping you stay strong and healthy for years to come.

The Bottom Line… and a Top Recommendation

Regularly using an infrared sauna can benefit your health in many ways, including supporting your body’s detox capacity and natural recovery processes.

This is great for anyone — perhaps especially those with autoimmune disorders, hormone issues, and those with high heavy metal toxic load.

PLEASE DO BE CAREFUL, THOUGH.

When choosing an infrared sauna, do not go for the cheapest… go for the best. (In my view, it is even better not to use one at all than to use cheap models).

That is because the low-grade models you will find on Amazon for a few hundred bucks, for example, often use low grade materials that can be toxic (such as cheap light bulbs that emit high levels of EMF).

That is why I highly recommend that same premier-quality infrared sauna recommended by so many top doctors and other health experts, such as Dr. Mark Hyman… Dr. Joel Kahn… and Ari Whitten.

Sunlighten Infrared Saunas

Click here to learn more about infrared health benefits of Sunlighten saunas and see which sauna is right for you.

When you click above, it is a worthwhile read where you will learn more — including the “Your goals. Your perfect suana” section based on YOUR needs, near the bottom of the page — whether you are considering an infrared sauna now or may be down the line.

In short, here is why Sunlighten stands head and shoulders above others…

• Constructed from only the highest quality materials.
• Emit virtually no EMFs or VOCs (unlike so many others).
• Provides the full spectrum of infrared waves at the optimal wavelength (near, middle, and far infrared light, unlike others).
• Delivers true full spectrum: near, mid, and far infrared, each at a therapeutic intensity (unlike others).
• Features patented SoloCarbon® heaters as standard in every sauna. These heaters run at lower surface temperatures while delivering a higher concentration of infrared light across all three wavelengths.
• Integrates red light and near-infrared together. Their Amplify RED sauna builds red and near-infrared light therapy directly into the sauna walls — not a bolt-on panel — and pairs it with far infrared heat. It’s one of the most immersive sessions that supports skin health, cellular energy, and recovery without a separate device.
• Supports a simple, ENJOYABLE wellness practice. Many other infrared saunas feel extremely hot and stuffy. Sunlighten Saunas provide a comfortable, gentle experience.
• Built on research. Sunlighten has created some of the best saunas on the market thanks to 25+ years of research. Their mPulse Intelligent Sauna with PulseIQ™ , separates red light, near, mid and far infrared for greater precision than full spectrum or heat alone. This means you can customize the intensity and depth of each wavelength, or simply hit a button for programs such as Detoxification, Heart Health, Relaxation, Anti-Aging, Weight Loss, and more.

A premier infrared sauna is, of course, a powerful long-term investment in your health and wellbeing.

It is, though, an investment, and as those who have considered one already know, the initial costs can run in the low thousands.

I wish this was not the case, of course, however…

First of all, as you will see, Sunlighten infrared saunas are better-priced than others in its class, with models starting at $4,999. And truly, they are flat-out better than others in their class.

And when you break it down, it really is one of the smartest investments you could make. Consider that people are quick to spend $5, $10, or more daily on products and more promising to help their health, and add up how much this amounts to over a year — apply that to a daily sauna session, and a far infrared sauna can pay for itself in under a year.

There’s another way to make that investment go further: depending on your plan, you may be able to use HSA or FSA funds toward your sauna purchase. Learn more about eligibility and how to get started on Sunlighten’s HSA/FSA page.

So, the very bottom-most of the bottom line is this…

If you are considering a far infrared sauna… if you might consider one in the future… or even simply to get a deeper-dive knowledge of why they are so beneficial versus the brief primer I have provided here…

Click here right now to get all the details on infrared sauna health benefits, including which one is right for YOU.

(This is a very worthwhile read, especially if you are interested in a sauna now or down the line!)