Thinking About Trying an Infrared Sauna? Here’s What You Should Know
If you’ve never tried an infrared sauna before, you might be wondering what makes it different from a traditional sauna or why people are so hooked on it. I get it. “Infrared” sounds kind of… sciency. Not exactly what you’d associate with relaxation. But stay with me.
Here’s the Simple Version
Infrared saunas use light (not steam or super hot air) to gently warm your body from the inside out. Instead of just heating the room, infrared waves directly heat you. These invisible, safe waves penetrate deep into your body and activate your mitochondria (the powerhouse of your cells). The primary job of mitochondria are to make adenosine triphosph (ATP), which happens to be your cells main fuel source. Ok thats enough science for a minute lets talk about whats happening inside your infrared sauna cabin and what that activation means for you.
Infrared saunas still get nice and warm—usually around 120° to 150°F—but that’s much gentler than traditional saunas, which often hit 170° or more. That means a deep, therapeutic sweat without the overwhelming heat. Most people find it more comfortable and can stay in longer. And yes-you’ll still sweat. A lot.
So What’s Really Happening in There?
Here’s the thing: in a traditional sauna, the heat itself is what makes you sweat and feel good. We love traditional saunas too, their benefits have been well studied. But infrared goes deeper.
The heat you feel in the sauna cabin? That just helps you sweat more. The real magic is happening below the surface. Those infrared waves are working at a cellular level, helping your body detox, stimulate circulation, and support your natural healing processes. Even if the room doesn’t feel blazing hot you can still get the benefits with the door open and the temp at 100° because the light is doing the work, not just the air.
What is “Full Spectrum” Infrared Anyway?
Infrared is actually part of the light spectrum-about 80% of the sun’s rays fall into this range. It’s invisible, safe, and essential to life. In a full spectrum infrared sauna, you get three types of infrared light:
Far Infrared (FIR)
This is the deep detoxifier. FIR penetrates the body the most and generates internal heat, helping you release heavy metals, chemicals, and environmental toxins stored in fat and tissues. It also mimics light cardio by boosting heart rate so it can support weight loss goals.
Mid Infrared (MIR)
MIR targets muscles and joints. It improves circulation in deeper tissues making it great for recovery, reducing soreness, calming inflammation, and helping your body recharge.
Near Infrared (NIR)
This one’s big for skin and cellular repair. Think red light therapy, but even better. NIR promotes regeneration at the cellular level and is even used in medical settings to speed up healing after surgeries. I was first introduced to Near Infrared after my puppy’s surgery and the vet used it to speed the healing of his incision. You get all the same benefits as red light therapy (which we also love) but because NIR penetrates further you get even more healing potential.
Same as the other wavelengths, NIR stimulates your mitochondria, which helps repair damaged tissue, increase collagen production, and reduce inflammation. You can’t see it like red light, but it’s putting in serious work for your skin.
Quick Recap (In Case You Zoned Out)
Infrared light is a form of heat energy that penetrates deep into your skin, muscles, joints, and even your cells. At that level, it activates your mitochondria, helping them:
- Produce more ATP (your body’s fuel)
- Repair damaged cells
- Flush out toxins
- Reduce inflammation
All of this happens gently, naturally, and without the intensity of traditional saunas.
There’s a lot more science behind it, and if you’re curious, I totally encourage you to dig in. But honestly? The best way to understand it is to experience it.
Book your first session and feel it for yourself. Your new wellness ritual starts here.