The Difference Between Traditional and Infrared Saunas

When you hear the word sauna you may first picture a traditional dry sauna room, complete with hot rocks and a water basin to pour over them. While these are the more well-known type of saunas – their usage dates back to nearly 2,000 BC – there is also another infrared option. 

Read on as we explore the differences between traditional and infrared saunas to help you decide which type of sauna you’d most benefit from and why embracing self-care is of the utmost importance. 

What Is a Traditional Sauna?
A traditional sauna, also known as a dry sauna, is a wooden structure or room that utilizes heated stones and water to create a hot and humid atmosphere where people can relax in dry heat. The sauna is usually heated with an electric unit that heats the stones on top of it, the walls enclosing the structure, and the air within it. 

A traditional sauna is typically heated to between 160 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s the heat from the room that causes the bather to become warmer, allowing them to sweat out the toxins. Throughout your sauna bath, water is poured onto the heated stones to create a hot and humid atmosphere that brings a relaxing effect. 

This atmosphere can be as humid or dry as the sauna bather wishes, but it’s typically kept to around 5 to 15 percent. Traditional saunas provide many health benefits, including increased circulation, reduced stress levels, and improved cardiovascular health. 

Other benefits associated with traditional saunas include:

• Fat burning
• Detoxication
• Pain reduction
• Elimination of bacteria and viruses
• Relaxation and a positive mindset

What Is an Infrared Sauna?
Infrared saunas provide a more modern spin to the traditional sauna experience. Also known as far infrared or IR saunas, infrared saunas use ceramic, Incoloy, or carbon panel heaters to emit infrared light. This light is then absorbed by the skin’s membrane as radiant heat, causing the sauna bather to become warmer and sweat. 

Infrared saunas utilize radiation rather than the heat current conduction employed in traditional saunas. The infrared heat emitters keep temperatures between 100 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit, which is slightly cooler than their traditional counterpart. The infrared spectrum is visible to the naked eye but felt as heat. Even though infrared saunas are known to be free of moisture, with humidity levels as low as 10 percent, you can increase the humidity levels if a steam generator is added. 

While infrared saunas offer the same health benefits as traditional saunas, they do provide a few additional advantages, such as:

• Increased comfort (If you aren’t someone who tolerates high heat levels, an infrared sauna may better suit your needs)
• More affordable running costs
• Reaches optimal heat faster
• Less maintenance and cleaning

Differences Between Traditional and Infrared Saunas
The primary difference between traditional and infrared saunas is their temperature and heating methods. Traditional saunas use a modern electric heating unit to heat the air throughout, which raises the temperature of the unit and slowly raises your core temperature. An infrared sauna emits infrared radiation which penetrates the skin and heats your body without raising the temperature of the room. 

Temperatures in traditional saunas are high, ranging from 160 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, the heat range in infrared saunas is usually between 100 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit. In other words, the highest temperature in an infrared sauna is about 10 degrees lower than the lowest temperature in a traditional sauna. 

Traditional saunas also have high humidity levels due to the steam generator used. In contrast, infrared saunas have very low humidity levels (typically between 10% and 20%). 

Your Lexington Sauna Experts
Because traditional and infrared saunas both offer several health benefits, you can’t go wrong with either one. But knowing your body and why you’re incorporating a sauna into your daily routine will help you choose between a traditional or infrared sauna. 

Give the Lexington sauna experts at Aurora Pools & Spas a call or stop by our showroom in Lexington to learn more about the different models we carry and how you can benefit from a routine sauna bath today. We’re excited to share our expertise with you to help you determine the right fit for your needs.

About Aurora Pools & Spas

Welcome to Aurora Pools & Spas, your premier destination for all things pool and spa-related in Lexington. As a trusted pool company and above ground pool dealer, we specialize in providing top-quality products and exceptional services to make your backyard oasis dreams come true. Whether you’re looking to cool off in a refreshing pool during the hot summer months or relax and unwind in a luxurious hot tub, we’ve got you covered. As a leading hot tub dealer and pool supply store near you, we offer a wide range of options to suit every budget and preference.

At Aurora Pools & Spas, we take pride in being your one-stop pool supply store in Lexington, ensuring you have everything you need to maintain and enjoy your pool or spa. Our knowledgeable and friendly team is here to assist you in choosing the perfect products, from pool chemicals and cleaning equipment to spa accessories and above ground pool solutions. As your local hot tub dealer near you, we prioritize customer satisfaction and strive to exceed your expectations in both service and product quality. Come visit us today and let us help you create the perfect aquatic retreat right in your own backyard! Be sure to follow us on Facebook or visit us on YouTube.