Actually, an infrared sauna is named a sauna because manufacturers want to draw a parallel in consumer?s mind between a conventional Scandinavian sauna and new product they offer. Don?t be misguided by this name; an infrared sauna and a Finnish sauna have more differences than similarities. It doesn?t make one better or worse than another though, as they have different design and, therefore, different feelings while taking a sauna. Let me explain why.
It is widely known, that the main effect of a sauna (both steam and infrared) is an intense sweating, which is believed to remove toxins from one?s body. In order for a human body to begin sweating it should be heated. But what is the source of the heat? In a steam sauna it is air heated by the stove - very hot air, which is usually around 80 ?C (176 ?F) degrees, going up to 120 ?C (248 ?F) in extreme cases. We do not get burn in such hot atmosphere because of very low humidity of Finnish saunas.
In an infrared sauna the main source of heat is an infrared radiation from infrared heaters. Infrared rays don?t heat the air, they heat human skin directly, and temperature of the air in an infrared sauna is warm, but much lower than in a steam sauna - 50-60 ?C (120-140 ?F). So, conditions in an infrared sauna are different, and the way a sauna is taken is different either. In a conventional sauna it is recommended to stay no longer than 5-10 minutes, while in an infrared sauna typical session duration is 30 minutes. In a conventional sauna humidity is controlled (from extra dry in high-temperature sauna, to very wet in a hammam, Turkish bath). In an infrared sauna humidity is not controlled. From the other side, an infrared sauna is much easier to use, it heats you more deeply than conventional sauna and consumes times less electrical power.
So which sauna to buy is up to you. Infrared sauna is a label. An infrared sauna (often called infrared cabin) is not the equivalent of a Finnish sauna. To choose, one should understand, what he needs from a sauna, and how he will use it.
