The world of wellness is abuzz with innovative ways to relax, recover, and rejuvenate. Infrared saunas and steam rooms are two methods that are popular for health-conscious people to rejuvenate their bodies inside and out.
Infrared saunas and steam rooms are similar in some ways, but there’s much to know about the benefits each provides. In this comparison, we’ll go in-depth on both infrared saunas and steam rooms and what they have to offer to wellness-seeking individuals.
Understanding Infrared Saunas
An infrared sauna uses infrared rays to directly heat the body instead of using steam to warm the air around the person in the sauna. Unlike traditional saunas, infrared saunas operate at lower temperatures, typically between 115°F and 130°F, offering a more comfortable experience for longer sessions.
Infrared saunas, since they don’t utilize steam or any other heat source besides light technology, also provide dry heat. This direct heating enhances circulation, boosts detoxification, and promotes deep relaxation. With its gentler, breathable atmosphere, an infrared sauna creates a serene space perfect for therapeutic benefits.
Exploring Steam Rooms
Steam rooms operate in a high-humidity environment and typically feature non-porous materials such as glass or tile. They use a generator to boil water, creating steam that fills the room. With temperatures around 120°F and nearly 100% humidity, steam rooms feel much hotter than they are, providing soothing benefits for the respiratory system and skin hydration by warming the body from the outside in.
The immersive experience of a steam room envelops you in warmth and moisture, opening pores, boosting circulation, and offering a completely different environment than an infrared sauna. This makes steam rooms a popular choice for relaxation, respiratory relief, and skin rejuvenation.
Key Differences Between Infrared Saunas and Steam Rooms
While both infrared saunas and steam rooms offer unique benefits as methods for heat therapy, there are many fundamental differences to know for users. They’re most distinct when it comes to heating style, temperature, and humidity.
Heating Style
Infrared saunas use direct heat through infrared rays that penetrate your skin, warming your body from within without significantly heating the surrounding air. This makes them a good option for those who prefer milder, drier heat.
Steam rooms, on the other hand, create a humid environment by generating steam, relying on indirect heat to warm your body externally. Each method of heating the body has its advantages for users, as humidity helps open pores, while the direct heat of infrared therapy detoxifies the skin.
Temperature and Atmosphere
Infrared saunas maintain a lower temperature (115–130°F) while still delivering profound effects. This makes them ideal for users who find higher temperatures uncomfortable. Steam rooms, at approximately 120°F with close to 100% humidity, can feel much hotter due to the intense moisture.
Humidity
The moisture levels in a steam room set it apart completely. Infrared saunas provide a uniquely dry sauna experience as only light generates heat instead of boiling water. Steam rooms, full of moisture, create a humid environment that’s hydrating but less ideal for some individuals, such as those who prefer drier conditions or have sensitive eyes or lungs.
Health Benefits Comparison
Both options provide incredible wellness perks, but their benefits vary noticeably. Here’s how they compare when broken down into key health categories.
Detoxification
When it comes to detoxification, infrared saunas are the superior option in many ways. The deep penetration of infrared rays into your body stimulates more intense sweating, which helps flush out toxins more effectively. By increasing your core temperature, infrared saunas promote sustained detoxification at a cellular level.
Steam rooms also encourage detoxification through sweating, but the heat doesn’t penetrate as deeply. The effect of steam detoxification is more surface level than the cellular impact of infrared heat.
Circulation
Boosting circulation is one of the shared benefits of both infrared saunas and steam rooms. However, the infrared sauna takes this a step further by penetrating deeper into tissues. This improves blood flow on the surface and in muscles and joints, delivering oxygen and nutrients to areas that need them most.
Steam rooms, meanwhile, increase circulation through the dilation of blood vessels the external heat triggers. While effective, the effect is less direct and comprehensive to the user.
Muscle Relaxation and Recovery
Both saunas and steam rooms excel in soothing sore muscles and aiding recovery from workouts. That said, the deeper penetration of heat in infrared saunas tends to offer a higher level of muscle relaxation and recovery. The improved blood flow combined with tissue-level heat alleviates tension and speeds healing post-exercise.
Steam rooms still provide effective muscle relaxation by warming the body and reducing stiffness. However, the moist environment may appeal more to those who simply enjoy the sensations of steam.
Respiratory Relief
One area where steam rooms shine best is respiratory relief. The high humidity helps open airways, making them particularly beneficial for individuals with allergies, asthma, or sinus congestion. For those suffering from respiratory issues, the steam in these rooms offers a much-needed soothing effect that infrared saunas do not provide.
Skin Health
Both options deliver unique benefits for your skin. Steam rooms excel at hydrating and balancing skin, which can be especially useful for people with oiliness or blemishes.
Studies show that infrared saunas, however, contribute greatly to skin health by promoting collage production, which improves skin elasticity. Infrared saunas, on the other hand, contribute to overall skin health by promoting collagen production, which improves skin elasticity. The regular use of infrared saunas supports skin rejuvenation, making them a solid choice for those targeting anti-aging benefits.
Which Option Works Best for You?
When deciding between an infrared sauna or a steam room, it ultimately comes down to your specific needs, preferences, and health objectives. Here’s a quick guide to help you assess what option aligns better with your lifestyle.
For Wellness Enthusiasts
If you’re looking for a tranquil, immersive way to improve your overall wellness, the infrared sauna takes the lead. A major advantage of infrared saunas and their use of light therapy is users can customize them depending on how they’re feeling that day—whether they want to energize their blood flow, lower stress, or kill bacteria on the skin.
For Athletes and Fitness Fanatics
Those prioritizing muscle recovery and circulation will find the infrared sauna more beneficial thanks to its ability to penetrate deep into tissues and relieve soreness. Plus, the customizable low temperatures make it ideal for regular use after workouts.
For Elderly Users
Saunas and steam rooms are favorites for many seniors due to their physical and mental benefits without straining the body. The lower temperatures of infrared saunas make them more accessible to older adults or those who may struggle with high heat or humidity levels.
Enjoy An Infrared Sauna’s Benefits with Health Mate
Infrared saunas and steam rooms both offer excellent health benefits, but the right choice depends on your goals. In many cases, an infrared sauna is the best choice for wellness seekers, athletes, seniors, and many others looking to detoxify their skin, relieve stress, and more.
If you’d like to experience the benefits of an infrared sauna from the comfort of your home, Health Mate has a wide range of models to choose from, including infrared 4-person saunas, individual units, and more. View our selection or contact our staff to speak with a sauna expert today!