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FIR SaunaA fir sauna (far infrared sauna) is basically the same as a traditional sauna. When it comes down to it, they're both rooms made out of wood. The difference is the method used to heat the occupants. The Heater Difference A traditional sauna uses an electric, wood, or gas heater and stones. In a fir sauna, infrared energy is emitted from infrared heater panels made of a ceramic or metallic material. Infrared rays heat people and objects directly. Because your body is heated directly, the surrounding air will be much cooler. It still gets very warm, but not nearly as hot as the air in a traditional sauna.
The image to the right illustrates the difference in heating method between traditional and far infrared saunas.
Notice how the infrared rays heat your body directly. This prevents the surrounding air from reaching extreme temperatures. Traditional hot-air saunas heat the air mainly by convection. And the result? The operating temperature needs to be much higher than far infrared saunas to cause heavy sweating. The Temperature Difference Millions of people around the world enjoy taking saunas, but there are many who feel uncomfortable breathing in extremely hot air. Someone even used the word "overwhelming" describing her own experience to me. Part of the appeal of a sauna is that it’s so relaxing. But if you feel like you're being suffocated, you won’t even stay in a sauna long enough to become relaxed. The average air temperature in a hot-air sauna ranges from about 150 to 200° F. An infrared sauna usually operates at a temperature between 110 and 140° F. A difference of 50 to 100° is pretty significant! The surprising part is that the lower air temperature doesn’t prevent you from working up a good sweat. Because of the penetration of the infrared rays, your body is literally heated from the inside out. The depth of penetration is reported to be around 1.5 inches into the body. It’s for that reason that you’ll most likely notice heavier sweating in a fir sauna. Sauna researchers and even some medical doctors claim that fir saunas are very effective for detoxification because of the infrared rays. My personal belief? I think there's enough information from unbiased resources to warrant many of the claims. You can read more about the benefits of fir saunas here.
My opinion about this is that I it's mostly a matter of individual preference depending on two factors… 1. Which type of heat you prefer – the softer heat of an infrared sauna or the higher temperatures of hot-air traditional saunas. 2. Your reason for taking saunas. If detoxification is most important to you for example, the claim made by many sauna researchers is worth consideration - that far infrared saunas are better for detoxification. So which type of sauna is better? I came to one conclusion after all the material that I’ve read: you’ll have to decide for yourself. There are many different views and opinions about this topic. Of course, to a large extent the answer to the "which one is better" question depends on what country you’re in when you ask. Here in the U.S., there are doctors, sauna enthusiasts and researchers that will give convincing arguments in favor of fir saunas. On the other hand... If you talk to the people of Finland, you’ll hear very strong arguments on why hot-air saunas are superior. Once again, you'll have to decide for yourself. Related reading: Infrared sauna health benefits Infrared sauna heaters - including the different types and selecting quality heaters Benefits of infrared saunas - any better than regular saunas? Infrared saunas and detoxification - great article by Lawrence Wilson, MD Infrared saunas and mercury removal
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