Infrared Sauna vs Steam: Which is Better?
The debate between infrared sauna vs steam is an ongoing one. Both provide therapeutic benefits, but they go about it in very different ways. This article provides a detailed comparison of infrared sauna vs steam room to help you decide which is best for your needs.
How Infrared Saunas Work
Infrared saunas use light to create heat and make you sweat. This type of sauna uses infrared lamps that emit infrared light waves which are absorbed by the skin. This causes a warming effect that heats the body from the inside out.
Benefits of Infrared Saunas
- More efficient at heating the body directly rather than just the air around you
- Allow you to sweat out toxins at lower temperatures than traditional saunas
- Provide targeted relief to painful joints and muscles
- Temporary relief of muscle and joint pain
- Cause you to burn calories and support weight loss efforts
- Potential anti-aging benefits from sweating out toxins
How Steam Rooms Work
Steam rooms work by heating water until it turns to steam which fills the room. The hot and humid environment causes you to sweat extensively for detoxification purposes. Steam rooms provide moist heat while infrared rooms provide dry heat.
Benefits of Steam Rooms
- Warm moist heat soothes sore muscles and opens pores completely
- Hydrates the skin and unclogs pores to improve appearance
- Opens up nasal passages providing sinus congestion relief
- Loosens mucus to help clear airways
- Boosts circulation
- Lowers blood pressure and provides cardiovascular benefits
Infrared vs Steam: Key Differences
While both options provide therapeutic health benefits, there are several key differences between the two to consider:
Heating Methods
As outlined already, the main difference lies in heating methods…
- Infrared: Uses infrared light directly targeting objects which then heats the body
- Steam: Relies on hot steam heating the air to transfer warmth to the body
This results in differences in humidity levels and temperatures preferred.
Temperature
The level of heat differs quite a bit depending on which option you choose…
- Infrared: Typically heats to around 150-170°F since the warmth penetrates the body directly
- Steam: Requires temperatures of 110-115°F to create steam but feels hotter due to the humid environment
For safety reasons, steam rooms require lower temperatures. But infrared rooms feel hotter at lower temps since the heat radiates directly into the skin.
Humidity
The humidity levels are completely opposite when comparing infrared saunas vs steam rooms.
- Infrared: Provides a dry heat with only 10-15% humidity
- Steam: Significantly more humid at nearly 100% humidity
This results in very different experiences between the two therapies. The high humidity of steam rooms feel more intense but dry infrared heat can cause you to sweat more profusely at lower temperatures.
Unique Health Benefits Of Infrared vs Steam
Both infrared saunas and steam rooms provide overlapping health benefits related to detoxification through sweating. But some health advantages are completely unique to infrared or steam therapy only.
Unique Benefits of Infrared Saunas
- Weight loss and fat burning
- Muscle recovery after intense workouts
- Improved blood flow and circulation
- Pain relief from conditions like arthritis
- Skin purification and anti-aging effects
- Lower risk of overheating due to lower temperatures
Unique Benefits Of Steam Rooms
- Respiratory relief from sinus congestion, colds and allergies
- Clears the mind providing enhanced mental clarity
- Hydrates the skin and opens pores fully
- Loosens tight muscles or spasms
- Improves flexibility and range of motion
As you can see, both infrared and steam options provide some exclusive health advantages. Choosing between the two depends on your priorities.
Comparing Safety Of Infrared Saunas vs Steam Rooms
Safety is an important consideration when comparing saunas. Here’s how the two options compare:
- Infrared: Very safe since lower temps don’t risk overheating; preferred for high blood pressure
- Steam: Avoid if pregnant or with heart disease due to total heat immersion and humidity
Steam rooms require more safety precautions for those with health conditions. However, their lower operating temperature poses less risk of accidental burns versus infrared rooms.
Both types should be avoided if you have unstable health problems and provide instructions for safe usage if any health conditions exist. Be sure to stay hydrated and take breaks as needed.
Infrared Sauna vs Steam Room: Cost Comparison
Another major difference comes down to costs over the long term.
- Infrared saunas tend to have higher upfront costs for initial purchase and installation. But they have very low operating expenses once in use since they only utilize light waves.
- Steam rooms have lower initial installation costs. However, the monthly expenses are high due to continually heating water to produce steam. The maintenance costs are also higher over time.
So while infrared saunas may cost you more money at first, they can save you in utility fees and repair costs over many years of use. Monthly steam room costs add up fast in comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which provides a better workout: infrared or steam?
Infrared saunas tend to make you sweat faster and more profusely leading to more calories burned. The lower humidity allows your body to retain more heat.
Is an infrared or steam room better for relaxation?
For pure relaxation, steam rooms may have a slight advantage due to the moist heat soothing tight muscles. The mental clarity benefits also promote stress reduction.
Which option is better for detoxification and skin health?
Both infrared and steam make you sweat to eliminate toxins from the body. For skin specifically, steam may have an advantage due to opening and hydrating pores more effectively. The total body heating facilitates thorough cleansing as well.
Can you lose weight using either option?
Yes, using either consistently can support weight loss efforts. Infrared heats the body directly so you burn more calories as your heart works harder to cool itself down. But steam can aid weight loss through detoxing and relaxing stress.
Conclusion
In the battle of infrared sauna vs steam room, both provide awesome therapeutic health benefits. They simply use different techniques to improve detoxification, relaxation, blood flow and more.
Infrared pros include more efficient heating, lower risks and operating costs over time. Infrared also allows better customization of where heat targets in the body.
Steam room pros include better hydration and skincare from moist heat. Steam also provides superior airway and sinus relief. Lastly, steam enables higher temperatures for those who prefer intense heat.
Ultimately, choosing between the two options depends entirely on your personal preferences and needs. Give both a try to contrast the experiences if possible. But either infrared or steam therapy provide science-backed wellness advantages!
Sauna and steam room installation is popular in Dubai due to the hot climate. Many luxury hotels and residential buildings feature high-end spa facilities. Skilled technicians handle customized fitting using imported European equipment. End-to-end projects typically take 2-3 weeks with costs starting around $25,000 for saunas and $35,000 for steam rooms inclusive of all necessary plumbing, ventilation, waterproofing, tiling, and safety works. Maintenance is available through annual service contracts.