How Frequent Should You Use an Infrared Sauna?

Posted on by Myron Dallas

Overview of Infrared Sauna

An infrared sauna is a type of sauna that uses light to create heat. Unlike a traditional sauna, which heats the air to create an environment of intense dry heat, an infrared sauna heats the body directly. This sauna is becoming increasingly popular for its purported health benefits, but how often should you use one? Let’s explore our options.

Definition

Infrared saunas are a type of sauna that uses infrared light to heat the body, unlike traditional saunas, which use steam or hot air. Like conventional saunas, infrared saunas have many health benefits, including pain relief, improved circulation, and relaxation. They have become trendy in recent years due to their ability to help relax muscles and reach deeper areas of the body than traditional saunas can.

An infrared sauna emits infrared light rays from unique panels, which are absorbed into the body’s tissues. This heating action has produced many health benefits by stimulating increased blood flow and sweat production. For this reason, it is commonly recommended for people who suffer from muscle pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other similar health problems.

Frequency of use will depend on the individual and their specific goals or needs; however, most people should not exceed more than 3-4 sessions per week at a maximum 20-30 minute duration each session. Additionally, it is important to follow all safety precautions while using an infrared sauna to avoid overheating or dehydration risk.

Benefits

An infrared sauna is a great way to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve overall health. Besides providing many of the same benefits as traditional saunas, such as detoxification and improved circulation, infrared saunas also offer a variety of additional health benefits. For example, traditional saunas heat the surrounding air, whereas infrared saunas create deeply penetrating short-wave radiation that can penetrate up to two inches below the skin. This deep penetration allows the body to produce far more sweat than in a traditional sauna, thus eliminating many toxins from the body at a deeper level.

Regular use of an infrared sauna can considerably reduce muscle tension due to its ability to penetrate deeply into muscle tissue and joints. People who suffer from fibromyalgia may find especially significant benefits with regular use of an infrared sauna as it reduces chronic pain and increases muscle flexibility. The gentle heat produced by this type of sauna can benefit those suffering from arthritis due to improved circulation that soothes inflammation and promotes flexible joints. Additionally, increased blood circulation by regular use can improve skin tone, making it look younger and more vibrant while restoring moisture content in dehydrated skin cells.

Aside from physical benefits, research has also found that there are mental health benefits, such as calming nervousness and improving alertness, along with easing insomnia for those seeking a better night’s sleep. In addition, the pleasant temperature and relaxation techniques make it easier for your mind to settle down, allowing both body and soul to enjoy peace, unlike any other environment outside your home or spa sanctuary.

How Often Should You Use an Infrared Sauna?

Infrared saunas provide numerous health benefits, such as reducing pain, improving cardiovascular health, and increasing detoxification. But how often should you use an infrared sauna to reap these benefits? In this article, we’ll explore the recommended use frequency of an infrared sauna session and the potential risks and side effects of overuse.

Frequency for General Well-being

An infrared sauna can offer numerous health benefits, such as improved circulation and detoxification. However, as research into the effects of infrared sauna use is ongoing, there are currently no clear guidelines on how often they should be used. For most individuals looking to gain health benefits from using an infrared sauna, a frequency of two to three times per week is typical.

Regular users may benefit from daily use if their overall goal is a comprehensive health plan. This type of frequent use can provide significant improvements in cardiovascular fitness and an overall better sense of well-being. However, for those who are pregnant or have medical conditions, always speak to your doctor before beginning a program with infrared sauna use as part of it.

Infrared light has various reported short-term health benefits, such as increased blood flow, reduced muscle soreness and stiffness, increased range of motion, and improved skin clarity. However, there are no guarantees for long-term effects associated with its use. Therefore, it is important to strike a balance between the frequency of your visits and maintaining proper rest periods to maximize the potential health benefits from the experience.

Frequency for Specific Ailments

Using an at-home infrared sauna can be a great way to help manage the symptoms of many ailments. But how often should you sit in the sauna? The answer can depend on the severity of any particular diagnosis or condition and how long it has been present. Some situations require infrequent use, such as once per week, while others may require more frequent service to see improvements. It is always advised to discuss your plans and expectations about using an infrared sauna with your healthcare provider for any health issue you are managing to determine the appropriate frequency.

Below are some tips related to specific health ailments which provide an example of how often a person may need to use the infrared sauna:

  • Post-exercise recovery: Once every day or two
  • Inflammation (insomnia, anxiety, joint pain): Once every other day
  • Stress relief: Twice a week
  • Muscle tension and spasms: Twice a week
  • Detoxification & cell rejuvenation: Three times a week
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome: Three times a week
  • Arthritis pain relief: Three times a week

It is important to remember that each person’s needs may be different. Some may experience greater health benefits from twice-per-day sessions, while others may only need one session weekly – it comes down to assessing your needs and deciding what is best for you. Don’t be too hard on yourself, but remember that if you commit to using one regularly and frequently, the results can be profound!

Safety Considerations

Before using an infrared sauna, it is essential to understand some safety considerations. While infrared saunas are generally considered safe, it’s important to use them correctly and appropriately. For example, it is essential to limit your time in the sauna, drink plenty of water, and ensure the room is well-ventilated.

Let’s discuss the safety considerations for infrared saunas in more detail:

Heat Intolerance

People with medical conditions and those taking certain medications may need to limit their use of infrared saunas. Talk to your doctor before using an infrared sauna if you have any of the following conditions or take any of these medications:

  • Heat intolerance or fatigue: using an infrared sauna could further increase your body’s temperature, worsening the effects of heat intolerance.
  • Heart problems: saunas can cause a rapid increase in heart rate, so people with previous heart issues should get clearance from their doctor before using infrared saunas.
  • Hypertension: Excessive heat can cause dizziness, queasy feelings, and even fainting due to lower blood pressure. People with hypertension should check with their physician before regularly using a sauna.
  • Diabetes: use caution when using an infrared sauna if you have diabetes, as prolonged high temperatures can lead to dehydration and complications related to changes in insulin levels and sugar metabolism. Monitor your condition closely while using the sauna, and drink plenty of fluids during treatments.
  • Chronic Illnesses: the strong detoxifying properties of an infrared sauna may worsen symptoms for those who suffer from chronic illnesses such as Lyme Disease, fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivity disorders, or musculoskeletal problems.
  • Medications: Infrared rays interact with many types of medication, including those prescribed for mental health issues such as depression or schizophrenia; consult your doctor if you are taking any medicines before trying an infrared sauna.

Pregnancy

Safety Considerations for Pregnant Women Using an Infrared Sauna

While research studies have not been done on the effects of using an infrared sauna while pregnant, pregnant women should use caution and discuss sauna use with their doctor before trying it. The high temperatures experienced when using infrared saunas may put pregnant women at greater risk for experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion or excessive sweating that can lead to dehydration. Additionally, there has been concern that the heat from the infrared sauna may affect proper embryonic development.

For these reasons, pregnant women are generally advised to avoid using an infrared sauna until after childbirth. Then, if a pregnant woman wants to use an infrared sauna, she should consult her healthcare provider and discuss any potential risks before using one.

Other Health Conditions

Before using an infrared sauna, you must be aware of any health conditions preventing you from using it safely. For example, people with the following health conditions should not use an infrared sauna or do so with extreme caution:

  • Those who are pregnant or nursing
  • Those with a suspected infectious disease;
  • Those who have a fever or are generally unwell;
  • Those being treated for cancer;
  • Those being treated for organ transplantation;
  • Those taking prescription drugs that might cause extreme drowsiness or impaired judgment caused by medication effects.

In addition to the above, there can be situations where other health issues could mean using an infrared sauna is contraindicated. For example, individuals suffering from severe disorders such as congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy and high blood pressure should discuss using a far infrared sauna with their physician before using it.

Conclusion

After reviewing the research and benefits of using an infrared sauna, using an infrared sauna two to three times per week, for a period of 10 minutes to 30 minutes, is a safe and effective way to optimize your health and well-being. When used correctly, infrared saunas can provide many health benefits, some of which include the following:

  • Detoxification
  • Pain relief
  • Improved circulation
  • Better skin health

Benefits of Infrared Sauna

Infrared saunas have been known to offer a range of therapeutic benefits and improved physical and mental health. These include detoxification, better skin, reduced stress and tension, improved circulation and metabolism, and joint and muscle pain relief, to name a few. In addition, they help the body repair through natural healing by providing an efficient dry heat environment. When taken regularly, infrared saunas can be used for short-term therapeutic results and longer-term health benefits.

Detoxification is one of the leading health benefits associated with infrared sauna use as they help to improve lymphatic drainage and supports the cleansing of toxins from the body. It is enhanced further if users drink adequate water before, during, and after their session. In addition to this detoxification, infrared saunas can also improve skin tone and reduce signs of aging by stimulating cell growth while increasing blood flow in deeper layers of the skin.

Other therapeutic effects of regular infrared saunas include reduced stress levels and improved relaxation via increased endorphin levels in the brain. Pain relief is also possible due to warm therapeutic heat reducing tightness in muscles, which can improve joint flexibility. Improved circulation through heating helps reduce inflammation caused by arthritis or any other type of injury, meaning that regular sessions can help relieve discomfort for sufferers over time with minimal efforts involved on their part.

The overall frequency for infrared sauna sessions depends on individual users’ needs, but it is generally recommended that users go for at least 2-3 times per week for maximum benefits. At the same time, longer sessions tend to produce better results than hour-long sessions twice or thrice per week, which is ideal for most people trying to optimize physical performance or maintain general health based on their lifestyle requirements.

Frequency Recommendations

When using an infrared sauna, it’s essential to consider the number and length of your sessions. While no definitive guidelines are established for infrared sauna use, the following frequency suggestions can help you maximize the benefits of your infrared sauna experience.

  • Short Sessions: For those looking to experience a detoxifying sweat without committing to an entire sauna session, some providers recommend frequent/daily 15-minute sessions at a lower temperature setting. If opting for this approach, using a regular infrared sauna daily or every other day is advised.
  • Regular Sessions: Those wishing to optimally reap the wellness benefits associated with the regular use of an infrared sauna may find that enjoying 1–2 30–60 minute sessions per week is sufficient for achieving desired results. During each session, it’s recommended that users adjust their temperature levels as necessary to comfortably sit in the sauna for upwards of 20 minutes per sitting before allowing themselves to cool down and take advantage of the post-sauna relaxation resulting from increased circulation and muscle relaxation benefits.

Note: It is essential to listen to your body and refrain from overexposure to any form of heat therapy