However, modern saunas, such as infrared and near-red saunas, have also grown in popularity. Alongside this, there has been an increased interest in red light therapy and infrared light spectrums in general. But what exactly do all of these terms mean, how do the associated treatments differ, and which is the best option?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how these treatments work and what that means for you while focusing on the unique benefits of red light therapy.
Red Light Therapy vs. Infrared Saunas: What’s the Difference?
Infrared saunas focus on heat. They may include a light, but they do not possess the same benefits as a well-designed therapy panel. The main point of saunas, of course, is to elevate your body temperature and make you sweat. This aids in relaxation, benefits muscle function, and can help the body release toxins via the natural perspiration process.
The only difference between traditional saunas and infrared ones is that the latter uses a broad
band of infrared light waves to heat up the surface of the skin as opposed to simply heating the air around it. In a lot of ways, this is not unlike how a microwave oven works.
But red light therapy (RLT) is something else entirely. Indeed, Infrared saunas lack the unique wavelengths associated with the scientifically proven benefits of red-light therapy. More importantly, they lack the focusing power of RLT devices. In fact, many sauna operators who claim to offer red light therapy via their infrared heating elements are being dishonest. The simple fact is that the lights used in these saunas simply don’t have the properties necessary to deliver RLT.
What Is Red Light Therapy and How Does it Work?
Red light therapy delivers precise light wavelengths directly to the skin and underlying tissues without significant heat. This light is capable of stimulating the skin, muscles, and bones on a cellular level, resulting in a wide range of benefits.
Medical-grade light panels emit two spectrums of light: red at 660nm and infrared at 850nm. Upon penetrating the body’s tissue, they provide a boost of energy that contributes to cellular regeneration.
Put simply, RLT is a cellular treatment that stimulates your body’s natural healing and regeneration properties. Put less simply, it does this by boosting ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and nitric oxide production, two natural body chemicals that improve circulation, fight inflammation, and increase
oxygen transmission through cells and systems.
Can Traditional Saunas and RLT Saunas be Combined?
Yes! Any new or existing sauna, whether it relies on fire, steam, or electric power, can be significantly enhanced with the addition of powerful red and infrared light therapy. Take our sauna red light therapy device, The Red Sauna. We’ve specifically designed it to integrate into other sauna systems, allowing users to maximize their care.
After all, by implementing a red light therapy sauna, you are essentially enhancing the effectiveness of your care routine without adding any time to each treatment session. Another popular way to incorporate red light therapy into a sauna treatment is to have users take advantage of the red light therapy panel while waiting for the sauna to preheat. This is a great way to ensure no time is wasted during treatment sessions.
And while our products are not considered “heating devices,” they do put off a nice, warming glow. Still, because these are two different treatments being combined into one, you’re getting the detoxifying and relaxing effects of a sauna, while the RLT stimulates your skin and promotes cellular health.
This following summer outlines some of the most popular uses for RLT:
Summary of Red Light Therapy Uses
Red Light Therapy is a versatile, non-invasive method of improving health and well-being. Its efficacy lies in its ability to stimulate natural biological processes that promote healing and rejuvenation, which can result in the following benefits:
• Vastly increased collagen production, improved skin elasticity, sun spot removal, and skin toning. This promotes a healthier face, skin, and body. In fact, most users report tighter, stronger, and healthier skin very early into their treatment.
• Improved eye health, protection against retinal deterioration, decreased instances of cataracts, and reduced retinopathy. We’ve heard many reports of optometrists asking patients how they managed to reduce their cataracts without surgery.
• Speaking of surgery, RLT has been shown to reduce surgery and injury healing times by 100%. This means that if you or a loved one recently had or plans to have surgery, RLT would be the ideal shortcut on your road to recovery. Remember, no medication can speed up the body’s natural healing process like RLT.
• Decreased joint pain, body pain, and chronic back pain. RLT is also effective at treating migraines, arthritis, hand pain, and shoulder pain. Aside from reducing soreness, RLT is also highly effective at treating inflammation and water retention.
• Lowered blood pressure and improved circulation. RLT also helps protect blood platelets, increase white blood cell production, and stimulate bone growth.
Ultimately, if you can appreciate the benefits of a sauna, you will certainly appreciate the countless ways that adding Red Light Therapy to your sauna experience can contribute to your health and well-being.
Combining Red Light Therapy with Sauna sessions.
Again, combining treatments is a great way to enhance your overall sauna experience. While you’re enjoying all the benefits of a good detox, you can simultaneously energize your cells to reproduce and regenerate. Best of all, adding red light therapy to your sauna expands your existing sauna versatility while also saving space. That said, some users prefer to set up their red light therapy device outside the sauna so that they can use it while their sauna preheats or at another time. This is an excellent way to maximize time and results.
High-Temperature Saunas & Red Light Therapy
Did you know infrared saunas put stress on the body? While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this, it’s important to know that using RLT with ultra-high, 165-degree+ saunas can cause some users’ bodies to go into “Defensive mode” rather than “relaxation mode.” This is because when our bodies’ internal temperatures reach more than 102 degrees, they begin to focus on just one thing: bringing that temperature down. This means your body will be unable to utilize the red light properly – at least, not until your body temperature returns to a more comfortable level.
So, Which One Is Right for You?
There is no question that many people worldwide enjoy using saunas to relax, sweat out
toxins, and reduce muscle soreness. This is incredibly beneficial and typically safe for most healthy individuals. But if you’re looking to augment or improve your sauna therapy sessions, you need to be aware that so-called “infrared” treatments have nothing to do with RLT. They’re just another way to heat you up and get you sweating.
Red light therapy offers something different.
RLT waves are well-documented for penetrating deep into your tissues and cells, stimulating your body’s natural systems that promote health, reduce pain, speed healing, and invigorate you. Even better still, RLT does this without the need to get all sweaty and overheated.
In-Sauna Devices
View The Red Sauna In-Sauna Device Now.Whatever configuration you choose, we offer a red light therapy device to fit your needs. If you're looking to enhance your existing sauna setup, consider the Red Sauna. We’ve designed these devices specifically for high-temperature and high-humidity environments. They are not only 100% waterproof but feature a completely sealed system to maximize longevity and safety.
We also include a wide range of mounting options with each panel. This allows you to hang the device from the ceiling, strap it to the door, or use our adjustable mounting brackets to place the red light device on the wall. These same brackets allow for not only easy removal but height adjustment as well. Finally, we offer an optional stand that you can simply lock or roll on the floor of your infrared sauna. It, too, comes with multiple height adjustment options.
Separate RLT Devices
If you prefer to take advantage of standalone red light therapy lights, we have several options for you to consider. For instance, many of these options allow for full-body red light therapy at home and can be set up and rolled over any bed, table, or massage chair.
For your convenience, we offer three levels of coverage: 500-watt, 1000-watt, and 2000-watt. If you’ve ever dreamed of having a comprehensive in-home therapy option, this is your ideal solution.
Red light therapy vs Infrared saunas conclusion
While traditional and infrared saunas focus on heat-induced relaxation and detoxification through sweating, red light therapy offers a unique approach to wellness by stimulating cellular regeneration and promoting various health benefits without the need for heat.
Whether integrated into existing sauna sessions or used as a standalone treatment, red light therapy represents a valuable addition to personal health and wellness routines, offering a range of benefits from improved skin health to accelerated healing and reduced pain.
With various options available for incorporating red light therapy into sauna experiences, users have the flexibility to customize their approach to wellness, ensuring that they can maximize the therapeutic potential of both treatments in a way that best suits their individual needs.
We At Recover Red Welcome You To Connect With Us
If you have questions about RLT or any of our products, feel free to reach out. We’d be more than happy to discuss red light therapy, help you compare infrared sauna vs red light therapy, or address any other queries you might have. Contact us today!