Differentiating Infrared And Steam Saunas
October 26, 2009 by Benjamin Andrews
Filed under Your Health
If you haven’t been paying attention recently then you may have missed all the fuss about Infrared Ray (FIR) Saunas. These Infrared saunas are turning heads all over the world. People are passing up traditional steam and are using infrared saunas. Why?
Infrared saunas work by using the some of the invisible natural rays that come from the sun. By using the only the healthy rays our bodies are able to directly absorb large quantities of infrared ray light, all to our benefit. Steam saunas simply heat the air around us which leads to the breathing difficulties that many of us are familiar with. FIR saunas can accomplish at the low temperature of 160-175F (70-80C), what the steam saunas must heat up to around 200F (95C) to do.
Greater muscle relaxation is realized from the deep penetrating heat of infrared saunas. The heat from FIR saunas also improves our ability to remove toxins because of its deep penetrating (2-3 in. or 5-8 cm) heat.
The dry heat that comes from infrared saunas is free of mildew and mold. Steam saunas can be more conducive to spreading and cultivating bacteria. This make the FIR sauna the more sanitary of the two.
According to Dr. Aundrea Adams of the International Institute of Holistic Healing, even our sweat is different in a FIR sauna compared to steam saunas. She found that sweat generated using a steam sauna was composed of mostly water (up to 97%) while sweat released after FIR sauna therapy was composed of less water (80-85%) and more toxins. On average the sweat contained 15-20% heavy metals, sulfuric acid, sodium, ammonia, uric acid and other fat-soluble toxins.
The infrared sauna is choice for the budget conscious person. As a result of their low heat operation, FIR saunas require roughly 4 time less energy than a steam sauna. With great energy efficiency your savings will be evident on your power bill.
In many cases FIR saunas are portable. Their portability is a huge advantage to steam heat saunas and has added to their popularity. Portable saunas can be packed up in just a few minutes and tossed into the back of your compact car.
Far Infrared Ray (FIR) saunas are poised to be the sauna of choice in the future. Their ease of use, antibacterial technology, gentleness on the lungs make, and amazing health benefits make them an easy sell.
To learn more regarding the many amazing benefits of using an infrared sauna, visit HEALTHandMED.com
