Compared to traditional Finnish style saunas, which operate in the 80-90 degrees Celsius range, infrared saunas are low heat saunas that operate at 40-50 degrees Celsius. While traditional saunas use powerful heating elements, infrared saunas use ceramic plates that emit infrared radiation, a type of electromagnetic radiation found at the opposite end of the spectrum as UV radiation.

When you enter a traditional sauna, your skin and lungs come in contact with intensely hot air. Infrared saunas are different as they directly heat the outer layer of your body, including skin and fat tissue, without causing the air to get very hot. This is more comfortable to the user and more energy efficient.

While many people enjoy the intense heat of a traditional sauna for a short period of time, most people must get out before they begin to sweat appreciably. In an infrared sauna the heat feels less intense but you still break a sweat. Since most people easily tolerate these conditions, users can perspire over an extended period of time for maximum health benefits.

How does the Infrared Sauna help with Detoxification?

When exposed to toxic substances, like heavy metals and pesticides, the body removes these ‘toxins’ from circulation and eliminates them from the body through the kidneys, bowels, skin and lungs. When these routes of elimination become overwhelmed, the body’s fat tissue becomes a holding tank for the remaining toxins.

When fat breaks down, the toxins stored inside it are released into the bloodstream where they can be removed from the body by entering the urine, stool, sweat and exhaled breath. Infrared saunas stimulate fat breakdown (lipolysis) which allows toxins to be released from storage.

Once mobilized from storage, toxins need to be eliminated from the body. The infrared sauna strongly stimulates perspiration, allowing effective elimination of toxins including lead, nickel, cadmium, aluminum, mercury, dioxins, bisphenol-A, brominated fire retardants, furans, pesticides, phthalates, PCBs, PVC and formaldehyde. Many of these substances are known to be toxic to the nervous system, immune system and endocrine system, and many are carcinogens. For example, bisphenol-A (or BPA) found in plastics has been linked to breast cancer and also acts as a hormone disruptor - but you can literally sweat it out in the infrared sauna.

Optimize your sauna treatments

Individuals interested in sauna use for therapeutic reasons are advised to consult a licensed naturopathic doctor prior to beginning a sauna program. Essential dietary and lifestyle modifications paired with supportive botanical medicines and nutritional supplementation allow you to get the most out of each sauna session while at the same time optimizing whole body health. For more information, please ask for a complimentary consultation with our naturopathic doctor.