Infrared Sauna vs Traditional Sauna — What’s the Difference?

Infrared Sauna vs Traditional Sauna - What’s the difference?

Saunas have been in use for over 2,000 years, and this ancient practice is truly a global phenomenon — from Finnish saunas to indigenous sweat lodges in North and South America, Roman and Turkish bathhouses, Russian banyas, Korean jjimjilbang, and Japanese mushi-buro. While these spaces are culturally diverse, they all share a common purpose: healing, purification, rest, and spiritual ritual. Across the world, saunas have served as communal spaces for wellness.

You’ve probably seen saunas your whole life — at the gym, the spa, or maybe even at a friend’s house. This practice continues to thrive because the health benefits are real — backed by both modern science and generations of inherited wisdom. While traditional saunas are still widely used, you’ve likely started hearing about a newer kind: the infrared sauna. So what makes it different — and is it a good option for you?

Traditional saunas use a heater (usually electric or wood-burning) to warm the air to 150–195°F. Your body gets hot indirectly, simply by being in the hot room. The intense heat prompts sweating, which supports cardiovascular health and detoxification — but for some, the heat can feel overwhelming.

Infrared saunas take this ancient tradition and add a layer of modern science. Instead of heating the air, they use infrared light waves — a type of invisible light on the electromagnetic spectrum, just beyond red light — to gently warm your body from the inside out. Infrared is radiant heat. It travels in light waves that penetrate your skin and soft tissues about 1–1.5 inches deep. Your cells absorb the infrared energy, especially in the mitochondria (the energy centers of cells), which helps increase circulation, boost metabolism, and stimulate internal heat production.

Since your core temperature is rising from within, your body begins cooling itself through increased sweating, heart rate, and blood flow — even though the room stays cooler than a traditional sauna (usually around 110–140°F). Many people find this gentler temperature easier to tolerate, and yet you may actually sweat even more. The combination of infrared light and sweating may enhance detoxification, improve circulation, and support muscle recovery.

At Whole Health Center, we offer the Golden Designs Reserve Edition Infrared Sauna + red light therapy, complete with a Himalayan Salt Bar. We chose this model because it includes everything we love most. It’s a full-spectrum sauna, offering all three key infrared wavelengths:

• Near Infrared (NIR) 0.7–1.4 μm – Best for skin rejuvenation and cell repair
  
  

• Mid Infrared (MIR) 1.4–3 μm – Best for soft tissue healing and improved circulation
  
  

• Far Infrared (FIR) 3–1000 μm – Best for deep tissue healing and detoxification
  
  
  

And then there’s the Himalayan Salt Bar, which adds its own layer of natural support:

• Negative Ions – When gently heated, Himalayan salt releases negative ions, which can help neutralize positive ions from electronics and pollution. These ions may promote a calming, mood-lifting effect and improve mental clarity. Fun fact: negative ions are also found in forests, waterfalls, and oceans — places we instinctively go to feel better.
  
  
  

• Air Purification – Himalayan salt may have natural antimicrobial properties. Some believe that heated salt can gently purify the air and support respiratory health, mimicking halotherapy (salt therapy). While not as concentrated as a full salt room, it may still offer relief for allergies, asthma, or sinus issues.
  
  
  

• Skin Benefits – Warm salt creates a mildly detoxifying environment that may help soothe eczema, acne, or dry skin by reducing surface bacteria and inflammation.
  
  
  

• Mineral Exposure – Himalayan salt contains 84 trace minerals, including magnesium, calcium, and potassium. While absorption through the skin is minimal, even gentle contact with the salt can be a soothing sensory experience.
  
  
  

And finally — maybe the best part — there’s room for two. So grab a friend, catch up, and sweat it out together.