Introduction
Infrared saunas are becoming increasingly popular for many reasons, including increasing the body’s cardiovascular output and detoxification capabilities. Although initially used in Scandinavia and Europe, these saunas have quickly become a favorite among athletes, health-conscious individuals, and even celebrities worldwide.
If you’re interested in using an infrared sauna, you may wonder how many times per week you should use it. The answer depends on your situation; however, most experts suggest that 2 or 3 sessions per week are enough for most people. Each session should be 20 to 30 minutes long, with temperatures ranging from 100-140 degrees Fahrenheit (38-60 degrees Celsius). It’s important to note that inflamed areas of your body may take longer to heat up than non-inflamed areas. It’s also important to remember that higher temperatures will not result in faster results – they only increase your risk of injury or dehydration.
Benefits of Infrared Sauna
From improved circulation to detoxifying your body, infrared saunas offer many health benefits. They are gaining popularity as a way to improve well-being, but how often should you use an infrared sauna? This article will discuss the advantages of an infrared sauna and how often you should use it to maximize its benefits.
Detoxification
One of the primary benefits of using an infrared sauna is detoxification. An infrared sauna is different from a traditional steam sauna because it utilizes light to create heat. When you sit in an infrared sauna, the light heats your body directly instead of heating the air around you. This deep penetrating heat opens up your pores, allowing your skin to act as a natural detoxifier. This process helps release stored toxins that are stored in fat cells and tissues, including heavy metals, metabolic waste, and environmental toxins.
Regular use of an infrared sauna can help support a healthy lymphatic system, which helps remove cellular waste. Therefore, it is generally recommended to use an infrared sauna 2-3 times per week for optimal results and improved health outcomes.
Improved Circulation
An infrared sauna can positively affect your circulation by dilating the blood vessels, bringing oxygen and other necessary nutrients to the tissue, and impeding muscle swelling and inflammation. The improved circulation also helps support increased cardiac function and encourages efficient detoxification processes in your body.
This boost in circulation leads to cardiovascular health benefits, such as improved oxygenation throughout your tissues. On average, this can mean up to 1.5 liters of increased blood flow during just 20 minutes of infrared sauna use!
Furthermore, because they penetrate deeper than traditional saunas, infrared treatments may be particularly effective for athletes, those with chronic fatigue, or those who suffer from joint conditions such as arthritis, as they offer higher levels of healing and pain relief.
Pain Relief
One of the main benefits of infrared saunas is the pain relief they provide. Infrared waves penetrate deep into your muscles and joints, providing a gentle but effective form of heat therapy. It helps relax tight muscles and increases fresh oxygen flow to the affected areas, speeding healing. The increased circulation also nourishes damaged tissue and encourages regeneration, which can help reduce symptoms related to arthritis, sore muscles, and joint pain.
In addition to helping relieve chronic pain in affected areas, regular use of an infrared sauna can boost overall health. It can help reduce inflammation throughout the body and promote detoxification through sweating. Infrared saunas are generally considered safe for adults when used correctly and with proper precautions in place; however, it is essential to talk to your doctor about any underlying conditions you may have that may be contraindicated with this type of therapy.
When done correctly and routinely (at least once a week), infrared sauna therapy offers a great way to treat chronic pain naturally without exposing your body to strong medications or chemicals.
Stress Relief
Stress relief is one of the best-known benefits of infrared saunas. Our bodies naturally respond to stressful events and environmental changes by releasing hormones which can lead to a feeling of fatigue and discomfort. Studies have shown that infrared saunas effectively reduce stress levels and help regulate the body’s physiological responses to stressful conditions.
The heat generated by an infrared sauna helps promote relaxation and increase blood circulation, helping reduce muscle tension. As a result, it can help decrease heart rate, improve sleep patterns, and lower cortisol levels, which contribute to stress. Additionally, infrared saunas can lower blood pressure due to increased circulation benefits.
Regular use of an infrared sauna can also have long-term effects, such as decreasing anxiety and improving mood. Research suggests that regular use has been linked with increased feelings of happiness, relaxation, and positivity. With regular use of an infrared sauna, you may find yourself better equipped to deal with stressful situations more effectively, as well as being less likely to experience fatigue or irritability throughout your day-to-day activities.
How Often to Use an Infrared Sauna
Infrared saunas provide a natural way to detoxify and relax your body from stress and fatigue. However, the frequency of infrared sauna sessions may vary depending on your health and wellness goals. As such, it is important to understand how often to use an infrared sauna for optimal health and well-being. In this article, we will discuss how many times per week an infrared sauna should be used.
Frequency
Infrared saunas have become popular in recent years due to their health benefits, such as pain relief and detoxification. While there is no clear consensus on how often a person should use an infrared sauna, individuals generally should use it no more than three times a week for maximum benefit. Those using infrared saunas for therapeutic reasons may benefit from using them more frequently. However, this should be discussed with your physician first.
It is important to understand that infrared saunas do not work the same way as traditional steam saunas. Steam-based saunas heat the air around you, while an infrared sauna uses infrared light waves to heat your body directly. As a result, it allows its users to enjoy the full benefits they offer at lower temperatures than regular steam saunas require, effectively allowing them to spend more time in the IR sauna versus a conventional one.
It is also essential to take breaks between sessions, allowing your body temperature and heart rate to return to homeostasis before entering the IR sauna cabin again. Other factors may also influence how often you should use an infrared cabin, such as age, current health condition, and presence of certain medical conditions such as hypertension or chronic fatigue syndrome; always consult a physician about these considerations if needed before beginning any kind of therapy regimen involving an IR Sauna Cabin if you are uncertain about their safety for you personally or have a reason for concern about possible contraindications with other treatments currently being received by you or any other condition-specific issues that concern you before beginning any treatment regimen involving Infrared Saunas or their related therapies.
Duration
The frequency at which you use your infrared sauna is minor when compared to its duration. However, research reports that 30 minutes per session (2-3 times a week) is sufficient for inducing the desired beneficial effects of an infrared sauna.
These duration sessions are recommended because after about 30 minutes, sweat production levels begin to decrease, and benefits can no longer be acquired from using an infrared sauna session. These duration sessions are ideal even if you’re using them for detoxification. High heat durations don’t provide any added benefit and can be harmful if you become overheated in the sauna.
Be sure to slowly increase your exposure time in your routine over a series of weeks until you have reached the optimal duration based on the frequency of usage cycles that suit your needs. This gradual approach will help your body become more accustomed to utilizing infrared therapy while also allowing it time to adjust and grow even more accustomed over time with regular longer durations using the same frequency cycles pattern of usage.
Also, ensure you stay hydrated before, during, & after each session for best results.
Intensity
Before addressing frequency, it’s essential to understand the intensity of infrared saunas. Infrared saunas work by heating the body from deep within. Significant detoxification can occur in just a few minutes because the heat penetrates up to three inches below the skin’s surface. While not as hot as conventional saunas, they can reach higher temperatures and generate greater sweat volume in a shorter time.
It is recommended that individuals start with a mild dose – no more than two sessions per week – and over time, build up endurance and resistance to longer sessions that require higher-intensity heat treatment. You should never push yourself too hard or make yourself uncomfortable, so be sure to listen to your body if you need a break or cool off for a short time. Generally speaking, the minimum session length should be 20 minutes, with increasingly longer sessions possible two or three times per week.
Safety Precautions
Saunas can be a great source of relaxation and detoxification. However, it is essential to follow certain safety precautions before, during, and after using an infrared sauna. Generally, it is recommended that infrared sauna usage is limited to 3-4 times per week, with each session lasting no more than 20 minutes.
Let’s go over some more safety considerations when using an infrared sauna:
Hydration
When using an infrared sauna, proper hydration is essential. Always drink plenty of water before and after each session to ensure your body is not dehydrated. Because infrared saunas directly stimulate our core body temperature, the risk of dehydration increases significantly with each use. Additionally, when using the sauna for more than 25 minutes, monitoring your body’s electrolyte levels and fluid intake is essential.
Although it is possible to use an infrared sauna daily, medical experts recommend doing so no more than three times per week. It is because it allows for at least one day of recovery between sessions for optimal performance and safety. With that said, users should monitor the amount of time spent in the sauna to ensure they do not exceed recommended safety guidelines.
Heat Sensitivity
It is important to exercise caution when using an infrared sauna. People who are not accustomed to high heat levels or have medical conditions that might be exacerbated by it should consult a physician before using this type of sauna.
In addition, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that individuals with skin sensitivity, particularly individuals who have recently had a sunburn or other skin injury, should not use an infrared sauna. Additionally, some studies indicate that people with heart conditions, lung conditions, and blood pressure issues could be affected more strongly by heat than those without. Suppose you fall into any of these categories and consider purchasing an infrared sauna. It would be best to talk with your doctor first to ensure frequent exposure to such high temperatures is safe.
In general, professionals recommend limiting the time spent in any type of sauna – including Far Infrared – to:
- No more than 30 minutes at a time
- No more than two or three times per week
Your doctor can advise if shorter or fewer sessions would be safer for you.
Pregnant Women
Pregnant women should avoid the use of an infrared sauna. While the saunas do not emit radiation like a whole-body X-Ray machine, they produce radiation in the form of infrared waves. Those waves penetrate your body from within and are received incredibly well in areas like the uterus and breasts. Therefore, pregnant women should wait until after delivery before using an infrared sauna.
Observing other safety precautions when using an infrared sauna, no matter what stage of life you are in, is essential. Before starting your session, consult a healthcare provider familiar with this type of heat therapy to ensure it’s appropriate for your current physical condition. During your session, drink plenty of fluids, such as water or electrolyte replacement drinks, and take frequent breaks from the heat so you don’t dehydrate or overheat.
Conclusion
In conclusion, how many times a week to use your infrared sauna depends on your individual needs and lifestyle. Most people will benefit from using the sauna one to three times per week for about twenty minutes with a temperature of between 125–140° Fahrenheit (51–60° Celsius). Every session should be followed by adequate rest periods to allow the body time to relax and recover. Drinking plenty of water before, during, and after exercise is also essential to replenish water lost through sweat.
Now you know how many times a week to use the infrared sauna, so head out there are start reaping all its fantastic health benefits!