Infrared saunas are steadily growing in popularity for their wellness benefits, ranging from relaxation and detoxification to improved circulation. Yet, despite their rise in popularity, several myths about infrared saunas continue to circulate, deterring some people from experiencing their advantages.
If you’re curious about infrared saunas but unsure about separating fact from fiction, you’re in the right place. In our guide below, we’ll be debunking some of the most common myths about infrared saunas, from their primary benefits to what ailments they can help with.
What Are Infrared Saunas?
Before jumping into the myths, let’s clarify what infrared saunas are and how they work. Traditional steam saunas heat the air to create a hot and often intense environment, while infrared saunas use infrared light to penetrate your skin and warm your body directly. This innovative technology provides a gentler, more comfortable heat experience for those who may find traditional saunas too overwhelming.
Infrared saunas can operate at lower temperatures while still promoting a deep, detoxifying sweat. They offer many benefits to wellness-focused individuals, fitness fanatics, and even athletes, like greater relaxation, better circulation, and relief from muscle soreness. Whether you’re seeking stress relief or physical recovery, infrared saunas offer a modern, accessible way to support your health and wellness.
The Most Pervasive Misconceptions About Infrared Saunas
While infrared saunas have been around for a while, there are still many falsehoods regarding the innovative technology. If you hear any of these typical refrains about infrared saunas, rest assured they’re only myths.
Myth #1: Infrared Saunas Are the Same as Traditional Steam Saunas
One of the most pervasive myths about infrared saunas is that they’re no different from traditional steam saunas. While both promote relaxation and sweat-inducing therapy, their mechanisms and experiences differ.
Traditional saunas rely on heating the air around you to high temperatures, often reaching 180–200°F. This intense heat can feel overwhelming for some people, especially those sensitive to high humidity. On the other hand, infrared saunas operate at a lower temperature range, typically between 120–140°F, making them gentler while still promoting deep sweating. The infrared light penetrates your body at a cellular level, offering deeper heat and benefits such as improved circulation and muscle recovery, which are harder to achieve in traditional saunas.
Myth #2: Infrared Saunas Are Just for Weight Loss
Many wellness enthusiasts rave about the weight loss benefits of regular infrared sauna sessions. While infrared saunas can certainly help when it comes to weight management and calorie burning, they are far from the only benefits they provide users.
Infrared saunas support a range of health improvements, such as pain relief, muscle recovery, stress reduction, and even better sleep quality. Many athletes use them to recover faster and treat chronic pain conditions like inflammation for relief. Others simply use them because they’re a relaxing environment for mental decompression. Simply put, infrared saunas are far more versatile than just aiding weight loss.
Myth #3: Infrared Saunas Are Harmful Due to Radiation
The word “radiation” often sparks fear, but it’s important to separate harmful radiation (like that from X-rays) from the harmless electromagnetic waves that infrared saunas emit. Infrared saunas use the same type of infrared light found naturally in sunlight, only without harmful ultraviolet rays.
They provide a controlled, heat-based therapy that is non-invasive and risk-free for the majority of users. Medical devices have long used infrared technology, such as baby incubators and physical therapy equipment, so you can rest assured there’s no danger to them when you use them as directed.
Myth #4: You Can’t Sweat as Much in an Infrared Sauna
Many first-timers assume that because infrared saunas operate at lower temperatures than traditional steam saunas, they won’t induce as much sweating This couldn’t be further from the truth—infrared heat works by warming your core body temperature directly, which triggers deep, intense sweating.
The sweat your body produces in an infrared sauna goes beyond surface-level detoxification, helping your body release heavy metals, environmental toxins, and metabolic waste. Even though the air temperature is less intense and more comfortable, you can sweat just as much, if not more, in an infrared sauna than you can in a traditional steam unit.
Myth #5: They’re Only Beneficial for Athletes
Another common myth to debunk about infrared saunas is they’re only beneficial for athletes. While many athletes utilize infrared saunas, they’re useful for everyone—including regular people and professional athletes.
Many athletes use infrared saunas to alleviate muscle soreness and improve performance, but the technology also supports stress relief, improved circulation, and healthier skin. Individuals managing chronic pain, seeking detoxification, or simply aiming to relax and promote overall well-being can gain significant advantages from regular infrared sauna sessions. This versatility ensures their appeal to a diverse range of users, not just those with athletic goals.
Myth #6: The Hotter the Sauna, the Better the Benefits
Many people believe that cranking up the temperature will amplify the sauna’s benefits, but this is a myth. Infrared saunas are effective at lower temperatures by directly heating your body rather than the air around you. Overheating can cause discomfort or dehydration, so it’s best to stick to recommended temperature settings for optimal benefits.
Myth #7: All Infrared Saunas Are Created Equal
Not all infrared saunas are the same, and choosing the right one is crucial to enjoying their benefits. Look for high-quality saunas with non-toxic materials, consistent and effective heat distribution, and advanced safety features.
For example, look for saunas made with hypoallergenic materials and low electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions to ensure safety and comfort. High ratings for far-infrared spectrum efficiency further distinguish well-made saunas from less effective options.
Myth #8: Infrared Saunas Are Only a Luxury
Infrared saunas might sound like an extravagant indulgence, but they’ve become increasingly accessible for home use. Many options on the market cater to different budgets and spaces.
For example, Health Mate offers compact far infrared sauna 1-person models for apartments and small spaces. These small infrared saunas are ideal for those with limited space but still want to experience the full benefits of infrared saunas at home.
The Truth About Infrared Saunas
As you can see, there are many pervading falsehoods surrounding infrared saunas and their technology. But by now, it should be clear the wide range of benefits of infrared saunas for users of all kinds, whether you’re an athlete recovering from muscle soreness or just someone looking for weight loss aids.
If you’re ready to experience the benefits for yourself, Health Mate is here to help! View our inventory of infrared sauna models online, or contact our staff if you’d like to speak with an infrared sauna expert today.