If you are looking for that extra push in your personal fitness and health, an infrared sauna is certainly a worthwhile consideration. Often found alongside regular hot-air saunas, infrared saunas use near-infrared heat to penetrate the skin, causing it to react as though it were being ‘sunburned’. In doing so, several key benefits come into play, with all kinds of potential on the horizon.

Are infrared saunas really worth the hype? Is it safe to use them? What are the real benefits? This article contains everything you need to know about infrared saunas!

How do Infrared Saunas work?

The infrared sauna emits infrared radiation that penetrates the skin and warms the body from the inside out. This increase in heat causes the body to release toxins and sweat. After a few minutes in an infrared sauna, the heart rate increases to its maximum limit, causing blood flow to increase.

Sweating is further stimulated by the resulting rapid increase in body temperature, which further purges toxins. This can be good news if you’re struggling with weight or body issues since sweating then releases built-up toxins.

The infrared sauna can also be used for other purposes such as stretching, low-level cardio, and even training purposes if your gym has one.

How often should you use Infrared Sauna?

There is no definitive answer to this question since the frequency with which you should use an infrared sauna depends on a variety of factors, including your age, health, and how often you plan to use the sauna. However, we generally recommend using an infrared sauna 2-3 times a week.

How long should you spend in Infrared Sauna?

The amount of time you spend in an infrared sauna will depend on your goals. If you are looking to improve your overall health, we recommend spending at least 30 minutes in the sauna three times a week. If you are looking to lose weight, we recommend spending at least 45 minutes in the sauna four times a week.

Traditional Saunas VS Infrared Saunas: What’s the difference?

Traditional saunas are heated by dry heat, which is created by burning wood or charcoal inside the room. While Infrared sauna is a type of sauna that uses infrared rays to heat up the air inside and create a more comfortable environment.

Infrared saunas are safer than traditional saunas because they emit less heat and their light is emitted in a different way. The light from an infrared sauna is focused on a particular point, whereas a traditional sauna has a wide range of lights and heat. Infrared Saunas have also been found to be more effective at reducing inflammation and improving circulation.

Unlike in traditional saunas, heat from infrared saunas is generated by infrared lights, which do not release any particulate matter into the air. Which makes them less toxic and contain lower levels of carcinogens.

The benefits of using Infrared Sauna

An infrared sauna can provide a variety of health benefits:

1. Relieves Stress and Tension

The infrared sauna helps to relieve stress and tension by increasing the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers. Endorphins also help to improve mood and create a sense of well-being.

Incorporating the infrared sauna into your routine can help you to feel and look better. You can do this by spending 5-10 minutes in the infrared sauna after your workouts, or before bed.

2. Improves Recovery and Circulation

Infrared saunas help improve circulation and recovery. The infrared heat helps to dilate blood vessels, which in turn improves circulation. Improved circulation helps the body to remove toxins and waste products more efficiently, which can speed up recovery from injuries or illness.

When an injury or illness strikes, the body’s natural response is to first begin repairing itself. The repair process may take longer if you do not give your body enough rest and nutrition. However, a regular infrared sauna session can support the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

3. Offers Temporary Pain Relief

The pain relief provided by the infrared sauna is similar to that of a massage. If you struggle with chronic pain, an infrared sauna session may be all you need to start feeling better. This may be because the heat from the infrared sauna can help to increase blood flow and reduce inflammation.

4. Mimics a Cardiovascular Workout

An infrared sauna session can raise your heart rate and provide a cardiovascular workout. The rise in heart rate is due to the body’s natural response to heat, which causes the heart to beat faster in order to circulate blood throughout the body and cool it down. This cardiovascular workout is beneficial because it helps to improve heart health and circulation.

5. Burns Calories And Helps with Weight Loss

There is some evidence that infrared saunas may help with weight loss. One study showed that people who used an infrared sauna for 30 minutes three times a week lost an average of 5 pounds over the course of six weeks. It is thought that the heat from the infrared sauna may help to burn calories and promote weight loss.

6. Increases Resistance to Illness

The increased heat generated by the infrared sauna may help to kill bacteria and viruses, and the increased circulation induced by the sauna may help to boost the body’s overall immune system. Additionally, the relaxation and stress relief that often accompanies infrared sauna therapy may also help to improve overall health and resistance to illness.

7. Helps to Get Rid of Toxins (Detoxification)

Infrared saunas help the body to sweat out toxins. The heat from the infrared waves helps to open up the pores and release toxins that have been stored in the body. This is a great way to detoxify the body and improve your overall health.

8. Helps Lower Blood Pressure

Infrared saunas have been shown to help lower blood pressure. One study showed a decrease in systolic blood pressure of 10 mmHg and a decrease in diastolic blood pressure of 5 mmHg after just one session in an infrared sauna.

9. Helps Build Muscle and Increases Flexibility

Infrared saunas help the body to relax and improve flexibility. The heat helps to loosen up the muscles and increase blood flow, which can help improve muscle function and reduce the risk of injury. It can also help with recovery after exercise.

10. Improves Skin Health

The infrared sauna emits infrared radiation, which is said to improve blood circulation and help the body get rid of toxins. This could lead to a better complexion, as the skin is better able to absorb nutrients and expel toxins.

The possible disadvantages of Infrared Sauna

There are not many known side effects of infrared saunas. However, because the infrared waves penetrate the skin, it is possible that some people may experience a sunburn-like effect.

Additionally, because infrared saunas can raise the body’s core temperature, it is important to drink plenty of fluids before and after using one to avoid dehydration.

Last but not least, because they can increase your heart rate and blood pressure, Infrared saunas should not be used by people with cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, angina, and congestive heart failure.

Other than that, there’s not much to worry about.

Where to find Infrared Sauna in Long Beach?

Infrared Sauna is available at TIER Wellness, 6695 Pacific Coast Hwy Suite 250, Long Beach, CA 90803. Monday through Saturday.

To Learn More or to Schedule an Appointment, Call Us Today at our Long Beach office ( 562) – 430-8501.