An infrared sauna has the same benefits as a traditional steam sauna, but uses 90% less power than a modern steam sauna.
Infrared saunas use infrared heaters which give out infrared radiant heat that is absorbed by the body.
Traditional steam saunas heat the body using hot air and steam.
Infrared radiation warms the skin without heating the air surrounding the person in the sauna room.
As the infrared waves enter the body, the body's temperature is raised.
Steam saunas traditionally used heated rocks to heat the air inside the sauna room.
Periodically, water would be poured onto the rocks; the water would evaporate into steam on contact with the extremely hot surface of the rocks.
The body heat of the occupants would be raised by the heat of the air and the steam within the steam sauna room.
An infrared sauna is built along the same lines as a traditional steam sauna.
Modern saunas are like a small room, lined with timber, with bench seating along the walls.
They can be built to accommodate just one or two people, or a greater number, depending on where it is located.
When people go into a sauna, they usually undress and wrap a towel around themselves for both modesty and to absorb the sweat which is produced by the high temperatures of the sauna room.
In an infrared sauna, the occupant's body is heated directly which causes the body to sweat.
This is the desired reaction because the profuse sweating eliminates waste products and toxins from the skin.
This is the natural function of sweating or perspiring, but it is intensified in a sauna situation.
An infrared sauna is more efficient at cleansing the skin and body because the infrared waves penetrate deeper than the skin and into the body.
This not only clears waste from the skin but also toxins from the organs and blood vessels, at the same time improving the immune system.
Pollution is one of the health hazards of modern times, and we are constantly exposed to toxins, heavy metals and chemicals which adversely affect our health.
Toxins accumulate in various parts of the body; they block circulation and poison healthy cells.
Infrared saunas not only clear blocked pores; they help to remove build up of heavy metals, carcinogens, alcohol, nicotine, cholesterol and sodium.
The infrared waves expand blood vessels allowing accumulated toxins to be dissolved and flushed away in the sweat and urine, performing an excellent detox.
There are several health problems that infrared saunas help with, including stress, fatigue, muscle tension, joint pain, acne and other skin problems, weight loss and cardiac problems.
They can safely be used by people with respiratory problems because the air isn't heated.