Infrared saunas are skyrocketing in popularity, thanks to celebrities, influencers, and everyday enthusiasts who can’t stop raving about their wellness benefits. In fact, according to Yelp research, infrared sauna usage increased by 40% in 2024 compared to the previous year.1
But how do infrared saunas differ from traditional saunas—and which one is right for you?
In this comprehensive guide, we explore the differences between infrared saunas and traditional saunas to help you find the best option for your needs.
Infrared Sauna vs. Traditional Sauna
Infrared saunas and traditional saunas are both different forms of thermotherapy (heat therapy). These are small rooms equipped with different heating mechanisms that make you sweat. This helps detox the body, promote muscle relaxation, reduce inflammation, and so much more.
Although they deliver similar health benefits, infrared saunas and traditional saunas generate heat differently and provide distinctly unique experiences.
What Is a Traditional Sauna?
For centuries, traditional saunas have been celebrated for their health and relaxation benefits. Equipped with hot rocks, stoves, or electric heaters, these saunas warm the air around you to promote intense sweating. This soothing process helps flush out toxins, boost immunity, improve cardiovascular health, and so much more.2
There are two main types of traditional saunas:
- Wet Saunas: Also known as Finnish-style saunas, wet saunas produce steam when you pour water over hot rocks, or with a steam generator. This creates an intense and humid heat.
- Dry Saunas: In a dry sauna, electric stoves or hot rocks heat the room to a high temperature without steam, stimulating a deep, detoxifying sweat.
What Is an Infrared Sauna?
Unlike traditional saunas which heat the air around you, infrared saunas use built-in infrared lights to warm your body directly. This gentle yet powerful heat penetrates deep into your skin and muscles, stimulating an intense sweat without the need for high temperatures or steam.
You still get all the benefits of a traditional sauna—just with less heat, no steam, and the added benefits of infrared light.
Benefits of Infrared Light
Studies show that infrared light is incredibly beneficial for the skin because it reduces inflammation, fine lines, redness, swelling, and acne.3 Infrared light also stimulates collagen production to boost skin elasticity and firmness.
Considerations for Choosing a Traditional or Infrared Sauna
Both infrared saunas and traditional saunas offer incredible benefits, but they differ in how they generate heat and the experiences they provide. Below are some considerations to help you decide which option is best for you.
1. Heating Mechanism
The biggest difference between infrared saunas and traditional saunas is how they generate heat. Traditional saunas warm the air around you, often with steam, while infrared saunas use light to heat your body directly.
- Traditional Saunas: For some, the steam is the best part of the experience. You can even add essential oils like eucalyptus or peppermint over the hot rocks to open your airways and help you relax.
- Infrared Saunas: Infrared saunas still give you that intense heat and beneficial sweat, just without steam, and with the added benefits of infrared light.
2. Benefits
Infrared saunas and traditional saunas both offer many health and wellness benefits, including:
- Improved heart health and blood pressure4
- Relieves chronic pain5
- Soothes sore muscles and boosts athletic performance6
- Reduces stress, anxiety, and depression7
- Flushes out toxins through a deep sweat
- Reduces risk of getting the flu or common cold8
- Promotes better sleep for up to 2 nights after each sauna session8
- Increased overall mental well-being scores8
Although they share core advantages, infrared light provides additional wellness benefits that heat alone can’t provide. As we stated earlier, this includes pain relief, skin rejuvenation, reduced inflammation, swelling, acne, and more.
3. Temperature
Another key difference between traditional and infrared saunas is the level of heat they produce:
- Traditional Saunas: Most traditional steam saunas reach 194°F or even higher. This intense heat can be invigorating for some, but overwhelming for others.
- Infrared Saunas: Infrared saunas operate at a much lower temperature, ranging from 113°F to 131°F. Still, they stimulate a stronger sweat response and deeper tissue detox—just with less heat.
4. Heating Time
Another factor to consider is how much time each sauna takes to heat up:
- Traditional Saunas: A traditional sauna typically takes about 30-60 minutes to heat up because they heat the entire space.
- Infrared Saunas: Since infrared saunas heat you and not the air, and they operate at a lower temperature, they only take about 10-15 minutes to heat up.
If you have a busy schedule or prefer the convenience of a quick, hassle-free sauna session, an infrared sauna is a great choice. However, if you love the intense heat of a traditional sauna, sometimes it’s well worth the wait.
5. Energy Consumption
Traditional saunas and infrared saunas also have different energy requirements worth considering:
- Traditional Saunas: Since they heat the entire room to a much higher temperature, most traditional saunas require more energy to operate.
- Infrared Saunas: These operate at a lower temperature and heat up quicker, so they consume less energy.
Both infrared saunas and traditional saunas offer incredible benefits and unique experiences. Understanding these differences is essential to choosing the type of sauna that is best for you based on your health goals and preferences.
Find the Best Sauna for Your Home and Wellness Goals at Creative Energy
Shopping for an infrared, traditional, or hybrid sauna in the Bay Area? Creative Energy is an award-winning retailer for all your home spa needs, including Tylö saunas. Our friendly team of experts can’t wait to help you find the best sauna for your needs, lifestyle, and budget.
Contact us online today to get in touch, or stop by one of our showrooms in San Rafael, San Mateo, or Concord.
Learn More About Tylö Infrared Saunas
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References
- Yelp’s 2024 Beauty & Lifestyle Trends. (2024). Yelp. https://www.yelp.com/article/2024-beauty-and-lifestyle-trend-report
- Laukkanen, J. A., Laukkanen, T., & Kunutsor, S. K. (2018). Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of sauna Bathing: A Review of the evidence. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 93(8), 1111–1121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.04.008
- Hernández-Bule, M. L., Naharro-Rodríguez, J., Bacci, S., & Fernández-Guarino, M. (2024). Unlocking the power of light on the skin: A comprehensive review on photobiomodulation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(8), 4483. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25084483
- Beever, R. (2009b, July 1). Far-infrared saunas for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors: Summary of published evidence. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2718593/
- Masuda, A., Koga, Y., Hattanmaru, M., Minagoe, S., & Tei, C. (2005). The Effects of Repeated Thermal Therapy for Patients with Chronic Pain. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 74(5), 288–294. https://doi.org/10.1159/000086319
- Hussain, J., & Cohen, M. (2018). Clinical Effects of regular dry sauna bathing: A Systematic review. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018(1). https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1857413
- Mason, A. E., Fisher, S. M., Chowdhary, A., Guvva, E., Veasna, D., Floyd, E., Fender, S. B., & Raison, C. (2021). Feasibility and acceptability of a Whole-Body hyperthermia (WBH) protocol. International Journal of Hyperthermia, 38(1), 1529–1535. https://doi.org/10.1080/02656736.2021.1991010
- Hussain, J. N., Greaves, R. F., & Cohen, M. M. (n.d.). A hot topic for health: Results of the Global Sauna Survey. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 44, 223–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2019.03.012