In the world of recovery and performance, sauna therapy has long been a pillar of health optimization. But today, a new contender is gaining ground: the infrared sauna.
Both traditional and infrared saunas harness the power of heat to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote detoxification—but they do it in profoundly different ways.
If you’re serious about longevity, cellular health, and performance recovery, it’s time to look under the hood and explore how each modality works—and which one may be better for your body’s deeper healing systems.
Heat vs. Light: How They Differ
Traditional saunas heat the air around you, typically using wood, gas, or electric heat to raise the room temperature to 160–200°F. Your body warms from the outside in.
Infrared saunas, on the other hand, use infrared light to penetrate deep into your tissue—warming the body directly without significantly heating the air. The ambient temperature stays between 110–140°F, but the internal heat response is more targeted.
This distinction matters. Infrared light (especially far-infrared) reaches 1.5–2 inches below the skin’s surface, activating physiological effects without overwhelming the nervous system with external heat stress.
Recovery Benefits: Which Goes Deeper?
Traditional sauna therapy is well-established in promoting cardiovascular conditioning, improving blood flow, and relaxing tense muscles. Research shows consistent use can reduce all-cause mortality, lower blood pressure, and improve heart rate variability over time.[¹]
But infrared sauna therapy takes recovery to the next level by targeting the cellular environment—stimulating mitochondrial activity, reducing oxidative stress, and accelerating muscle repair through deeper tissue heating.
Studies suggest infrared therapy can:
- Reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and improve muscle recovery time[²]
- Modulate inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha[³]
- Increase heat shock proteins (HSPs) that support protein folding and cellular resilience[⁴]
In other words, traditional saunas support systemic recovery. Infrared saunas support cellular regeneration.
Detox and Skin Health
While sweating is common to both types, infrared sweat tends to contain more toxins per volume—including heavy metals and BPA—due to its deeper tissue effects.[⁵]
It also stimulates lymphatic drainage, which helps flush cellular waste products that can stall healing and regeneration.
From a skin perspective, infrared therapy supports collagen production and wound healing, making it a favorite in longevity and aesthetic circles.
Nervous System and Tolerance
For people sensitive to high heat—or with nervous system dysregulation—infrared offers a gentler and more sustainable path to recovery. The lower ambient temperature makes it accessible for longer sessions with less cardiovascular strain, while still producing a robust internal sweat and circulatory response.
This makes infrared especially effective for individuals with:
- Chronic fatigue
- Autoimmune conditions
- Cardiometabolic risks
- Sensitive nervous systems (e.g., post-concussion, burnout)
Which One Is Better?
It’s not about one being better—it’s about choosing the right tool for the right purpose.
- Traditional saunas: Great for whole-body heat stress, improving cardiovascular conditioning, and mimicking exercise-like effects in healthy individuals.
Infrared saunas: Ideal for deep tissue recovery, detoxification, mitochondrial support, and anyone needing a more targeted or lower-heat experience.
For athletes, functional medicine patients, and longevity seekers, infrared offers a cellular precision tool—not just a sweat box.
The Bottom Line:
Whether you’re chasing recovery, detox, or long-term resilience, sauna therapy is a proven way to upgrade your biology. But if your goal is to support healing from the inside out, infrared offers a uniquely modern solution that works with your body’s natural energy systems—not just against the clock.
Experience the Power of Sauna Therapy at MedHouse
Looking for a way to relax, detox, and rejuvenate? At MedHouse, we offer state-of-the-art infrared saunas, steam saunas, and sauna pods to help you achieve your wellness goals. Whether you’re aiming for muscle recovery, enhanced circulation, or full-body detoxification, our expert team is here to guide you on your health journey.
Visit MedHouse today to experience the incredible benefits of sauna therapy and explore our full range of health-boosting treatments. Book your session now and start sweating your way to better health!
References:
- Laukkanen, T., et al. (2015). Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events. JAMA Internal Medicine, 175(4), 542–548. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8187
- Leung, T. K., et al. (2013). Far infrared promotes recovery from muscle fatigue: Study of mouse muscle. Journal of Medical and Biological Engineering, 33(2), 191–196. https://doi.org/10.5405/jmbe.1262
- Beever, R. (2009). Far-infrared saunas for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. Canadian Family Physician, 55(7), 691–696. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2662639/
- Tei, C., et al. (1994). Waon therapy: A novel insight and evolution from traditional Japanese sauna therapy. Heart and Vessels, 14(6), 304–310.
- Crinnion, W. J. (2011). Sauna as a valuable clinical tool for cardiovascular, autoimmune, toxicant-induced, and other chronic health problems. Alternative Medicine Review, 16(3), 215–225.
