The main difference between a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna is how they produce heat.

• Traditional saunas heat the air first. That hot air then warms your body.

• Infrared saunas, on the other hand, use light energy that heats you directly, with only a small portion of the heat warming the air.

Think about sitting outside on a sunny day: when a cloud passes in front of the sun, the air temperature doesn’t suddenly drop, but you feel cooler instantly. That’s infrared energy at work.

Because of this, infrared saunas create a deeper sweat at much lower air temperatures - typically 100–135°F compared to 200°F or more in a traditional sauna. The focus isn’t the air temperature, but the quality of the infrared heat. You still get the relaxation benefits of a sauna, but at a more comfortable level. Plus, infrared saunas are dry, which many people find makes the experience more pleasant.

Infrared Wavelengths

Infrared light is divided into three wavelengths - near, mid, and far infrared. A “full spectrum” sauna provides all three, which means you get the broadest range of benefits. Many saunas only offer one or two.

• Near Infrared (NIR): The shortest wavelength, but it penetrates the deepest. Because it isn’t absorbed by water in the body, it reaches deeper tissues to increase core thermal energy. It’s also linked with photobiomodulation, which helps your cells produce energy through ATP stimulation.

• Mid Infrared (MIR): Absorbed by water molecules in the body, this wavelength supports circulation by temporarily widening blood vessels (vasodilation). That means increased blood flow, a temporary rise in heart rate, and a short boost in metabolism.

• Far Infrared (FIR): This is the longest wavelength and the one closest to the type of infrared heat our own bodies naturally give off (around 9.4 microns). Because it matches us so closely, it feels very natural and soothing. Unlike near infrared, far infrared doesn’t go as deep - it’s mostly absorbed by the water near the surface of your skin. Think of it like a warm blanket: it might not reach as far inside, but it delivers a gentle, relaxing heat that helps your body sweat and release toxins.

Why This Matters

With all three wavelengths, infrared heat penetrates beyond the skin into the subcutaneous layer for maximum effectiveness. This deep penetration gently raises your core body temperature - by over 3 degrees (to about 102°F) during a 40-minute session. That increase creates a kind of self-induced “fever,” which triggers a healthy, detoxifying sweat at the cellular level, where most toxins are stored.

There’s a reason fevers are considered the body’s natural defense. As the saying goes:
“Give your body a good fever and there is no disease that can survive.”

Safe, Natural, and Comfortable

The sun is our main source of radiant energy, but it comes with risks - especially if you have a diet high in Omega-6 fatty acids, limited sun exposure (“no solar callus”), or if you’re outside at the wrong time of day. Too much UV can damage the skin.

Infrared saunas provide the benefits of natural sunlight without the harmful effects of UV radiation. Infrared heat is safe for all living things, and unlike the sun, you can be exposed to it for hours without risk of burning. In fact, it’s the same type of heat hospitals use to safely warm newborn infants.