What is an infrared sauna? Does it have health benefits?

Answer From Brent A. Bauer, M.D.

An infrared sauna is a type of sauna that uses light to make heat. This type of sauna is sometimes called a far-infrared sauna. "Far" describes where the infrared waves fall on the light spectrum. A regular sauna uses heat to warm the air, which in turn warms your body. An infrared sauna heats your body directly without warming the air around you.

Generally, people like saunas because they cause reactions like those caused by moderate exercise, such as vigorous sweating and an increased heart rate. An infrared sauna gives these results at lower temperatures than does a regular sauna. This makes an infrared sauna a choice for people who can't stand the heat of a sauna. But does that mean there are clear health benefits? Perhaps.

Many studies have looked at using infrared saunas in the treatment of long-lasting health problems and found some proof that saunas may help. Conditions studied include high blood pressure, heart failure, dementia and Alzheimer's disease, headache, type 2 diabetes, and arthritis. But larger and more-exact studies are needed to prove these results. Some of these studies were also performed with people using a regular sauna.

On the other hand, no harmful effects have been reported with infrared saunas. So if you're thinking of trying a sauna to relax, an infrared sauna might be an option.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

June 11, 2022 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. A Very Happy Brain
  2. Alternative cancer treatments: 11 options to consider
  3. Candida cleanse diet
  4. CBD safety
  5. Colloidal silver supplements
  6. Colon cleansing
  7. Considering complementary therapy
  8. Detox foot pads
  9. Diabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar?
  10. Prickly pear cactus
  11. Herbal supplements: Not risk-free
  12. Herbal supplements: Safety first
  13. Herbal supplements and heart drugs
  14. Kombucha tea
  15. Kratom: Unsafe and ineffective
  16. Kratom for opioid withdrawal
  17. Learn to reduce stress through mindful living
  18. Medical marijuana
  19. Meditation 2.0: A new way to meditate
  20. Mindfulness exercises
  21. Miracle cure or marketing scam?
  22. Natural remedies for depression: Are they effective?
  23. Tai Chi and Cardiac Rehab
  24. Valerian: A safe and effective herbal sleep aid?
  25. Tai chi
  26. Alternative psoriasis treatments
  27. Do zinc supplements shorten colds?