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carbon vs ceramic infrared saunas

Conventional Sauna vs Infrared Sauna

We all know that a good sauna session is one of the best ways to relax and unwind. Sweating out all the unwanted toxins and improving your skin are just some of the benefits you can expect to receive when regularly using a sauna. Typically, traditional saunas create a heat source using wood, electric or gas to increase the temperature inside a sauna space. Nowadays, the technology of far-infrared has been introduced into new sauna enclosures, offering a completely different experience for the user without losing any of the health benefits. So which one would you prefer?

The Far Infrared Sauna

Far infrared saunas use infrared light to heat the user directly, rather than heating the air first. The heating experience is directly comparable to being in the sun in a hot climate – it feels warm and soothing. But be careful not to confuse the far infrared rays which are safe, to the UV rays which you may have had first hand experience with through sunburn! The emission of infrared heat rays dispersed at the right frequency triggers a process called “resonant absorption”, in which toxins and harmful metals are removed from the body through sweating at higher rates when compared to a conventional sauna.

Unlike a conventional sauna, a far infrared sauna operates at a lower heat temperature, so many find the whole environment more comfortable to be in. Many conventional saunas operate between 180F to 200F – an intensive heat for users to sit around in and relax. In addition to this, a conventional sauna works to heat the entire area including the air so some find it difficult to breathe when the temperature is at peak. In comparison, a far infrared sauna will operate between 100F to 150F – an environment which is far more tolerable for the user to breathe in.  This is due to the fact that the infrared sauna works to heat the user directly as opposed to the surrounding cabin, with figures showing that less than 20% of the infrared energy being lost in heating the air.

Sherry A Rogers M.D. – Author of “Detoxify or Die“

“Thanks to improved technology, the far infrared sauna is far safer and infinitely more tolerable, because it uses a heat energy that penetrates tissues, triggering mobilization of chemicals from subcutaneous fat storage, directly into the sweat. This activating penetration allows for a much lower overall temperature to be used, one that is enjoyable and not torture.”

You may be thinking “this new technology must be expensive!” Well, as a matter of fact because the far infrared saunas operate at a lower heat setting the energy that they require is less when directly compared to a conventional sauna. Some manufacturers state that an infrared sauna costs less than £5* per month if used for 1 hour 3 times a week. On top of that there’s no plumbing required, you just plug it in – that’s more money in your back pocket. You don’t have to build it in either, so you can take your sauna with you if you move house. Initial outlay costs are favourable too, with infrared saunas starting from £1500 and bespoke conventional installations reaching costs of up to £30,000.

So you may ask yourself “Why isn’t everyone moving over to far infrared?” Well, it’s indubitable that the traditional sauna is here to stay.

The Traditional Sauna

In defence of the traditional sauna, some say that there are benefits that can’t be provided by infrared saunas due to the lack of steam created in the cabin. Some say that it is this steam that is essential to the healing process of the body, especially in regards to respiratory ailments.  Supporters of the conventional sauna state that it is the experience that is essential to the enjoyment of a sauna session. Although you may not start the sweating process as quickly as you would in an infrared sauna, the body still produces a large amount of sweat when in a traditional environment. After all, this method has been used for years and is still being used to date in many locations around the world.

Regular users of a conventional sauna will state that it “simply feels more refreshing”, and that it is “a much more enjoyable experience”. The action of pouring the water onto the hot stones to create the steam is therapeutic, and that allowing a natural heat source such as wood to create the heat makes for an unmatchable environment to be in. Even though you can control the heat in an infrared sauna electronically, you can manage the temperature in a traditional sauna. You simply add more water to the stove to increase the heat, or move to a lower bench or open the door to cool down.

The Verdict

It’s pretty difficult to decide which sauna really is for you. I’d recommend that you try both out before making your final decision, or perhaps speak with people who own them. Take your time in deciding and do plenty of research as there a lot of options available. Nevertheless, the benefits you can receive for both you and your body are undeniable regardless of how you achieve them, be it infrared heat or steam. I’ve made my decision – have you?

*based on an infrared sauna operating at 1.8KW, at a tariff of 15p per kWhr.

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