Infrared Sauna Therapy FAQs | HigherDOSE

Infrared Sauna Therapy FAQs | HigherDOSE

Infrared heat therapy is a safe, whole-body wellness practice that you can incorporate into your regimen anywhere from a few days a week to every day. And stepping into an infrared sauna is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental well-being. 

It’s not just about the sweat session (though, sweating alone can actually boost your mood), it’s about the wide-ranging benefits of infrared saunas, which include quicker muscle recovery, pain relief, detoxification, and immune support. It can even help you biohack your sleep for a more restful snooze (yes, please!). 

With so many benefits, you’re bound to have some questions about this ritual, and as the trusted leader in at-home infrared wellness, HigherDOSE is here to set the record straight so that you can get your sweat on ASAP.  

What are the benefits of infrared sauna therapy? 

Sweating in an infrared sauna vs. a traditional sauna means you can reap the benefits of infrared heat—an invisible wavelength that is similar to the sun’s warmth. This type of heat penetrates the body’s tissues and can result in a more comfortable (and tolerable) sweat session, as well as a host of physical benefits.

Top benefits at a glance:
• Detox & lymphatic support
• Glowing skin + boosted collagen
• Faster recovery & pain relief
• Better circulation & cardiovascular health

Sweating in an infrared sauna is also known to reduce stress, boost your mood, and improve sleep quality by relaxing the muscles and regulating the body’s temperature. 

DOSE Fix: You can easily incorporate the benefits of infrared sauna therapy into your wellness regimen with HigherDOSE’s collection of wellness tech. This includes the Sauna Blanket, an excellent, portable option ideal for consistent detox and daily reset, and the Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna for a deeper recovery and layered skin benefits. Pair both with the Glow Serum for a post-session radiance like no other. 

How often should you use an infrared sauna? 

Infrared saunas are safe for everyday use. However, if you’re new to it, you might want to ease in with shorter sessions to allow your body to adjust to the heat gradually. Beginners can start with two or three sessions per week for 20 to 30 minutes. If you’re a little more experienced, you can treat yourself to a sauna sesh up to daily for 30 to 40 minutes. No matter your experience, tune into your body’s cues to discover the routine that works best for you (even if that means sweating just once per week!).  

DOSE Fix: The Sauna Blanket is a convenient and portable infrared sauna option that makes a daily sweat sesh more accessible, whereas the Full Spectrum Sauna allows for longer, restorative weekly sessions. To support hydration while sweating, add the High-Dration Powder to your water. This electrolyte blend is specially formulated to replenish the essential minerals lost during a sauna sweat. 

Is infrared sauna therapy safe?

Infrared sauna therapy is a safe wellness practice for most healthy adults, though it is not recommended for pregnancy and certain heart conditions. The biggest risks include dehydration and overheating if misused, so following the best practices is key to a healthy and safe sweat. If you have any concerns about your health and infrared sauna therapy, it’s best to consult your doctor before stepping or slipping into a session. To ensure safety, focus on hydration, pace yourself by starting at lower temperatures and shorter sessions, and listen to your body.  

DOSE Fix: Keep the DailyDOSE Water Bottle close during sessions, and boost your hydration with the High-Dration Powder. 

Does Infrared Sauna Therapy Help With Weight Loss or Metabolism?

Infrared sauna therapy is a great tool for weight loss and can also boost metabolism. Sweating in a sauna, whether it be a walk-in or a blanket, can elevate your heart rate, which can in turn burn calories. It also improves circulation and thermogenesis, which is the body’s system for generating heat through metabolism. While it’s not a magic fix, adding regular infrared sauna sweat sessions to your wellness routine can support an overall healthy lifestyle and encourage practices that are good for your mind and body.  

DOSE Fix: For an easy, calorie-burning add-on to any workout, slip into the Sauna Blanket. This portable sauna is accessible and easy to use, making it a favorite. The Full Spectrum Sauna provides more intense metabolic benefits, thanks to its full wavelength spectrum. 

Woman Nude Infrared Sauna Blanket

Can Infrared Improve Skin?

Infrared promotes whole body wellness and is especially great for upping the ante on your skincare routines. Since infrared light and heat can support collagen and elastin production, regular sweat sessions in a sauna can help you tap into your inner glow and result in more supple and radiant-looking skin. This type of sweat session also boosts circulation, which is incredible for the skin, as it delivers vital nutrients and oxygen to the body’s largest organ. The detoxification benefits of a sauna sweat also help your body get rid of impurities, allowing for a clearer complexion. 

DOSE Fix: Stack your sweat session with the Red Light Face Mask or Glow Serum for even more benefits. 

What Should You Wear or Bring to a Sauna Session?

What you wear in the sauna depends entirely on the type of infrared sauna device you use and your comfort levels. For a walk-in sauna, you can wear light and loose clothing, a swimsuit, a towel, or go nude if you’re comfortable. If you’re slipping into the sauna blanket, wear either light clothing (including socks—the blanket gets toasty on those toes!) or cocoon yourself in a towel or the Infrared Sauna Blanket Insert for comfort and easy cleanup. If you wear light clothing, try to opt for natural, breathable fibers such as 100% cotton. Always bring a towel and water to a sweat session.

DOSE Fix: Make your Sauna Blanket sweat session more enjoyable with the Infrared Sauna Blanket Insert. This towel-like insert lets you go in your birthday suit, protecting your skin from the heat. It also makes the post-sweat session cleanup easier. When stepping into the Full Spectrum Sauna, bring extra hand towels to dab your sweat, and don’t forget a water bottle for hydration. 

How Should You Prepare for Your First Infrared Sauna Session?

Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned pro, hydration is the most important way to prep your body for a sauna sweat. To reduce the risk of dehydration, it’s also important to hydrate during and after, and add electrolytes to your water to replenish minerals lost while sweating. You’ll also want to remove any makeup or skincare so that the pores can detox. And, it’s best to start slow with the length of time and the temperature, you can gradually increase the temperature and length of your sessions as you gain experience.

DOSE Fix: Before a session, use the Body Brush for lymphatic support. Dry brushing can also slough away dead skin cells, adding to the skincare benefits of saunas. 

Woman in a bathrobe sitting on the edge of a large bath tub using a dry brush on her legs with nature behind her

Feel the HigherDOSE Difference

Infrared sauna therapy is one of the most effective ways to detox, recover, and glow. Whether you’re unwinding in the Infrared Sauna Blanket or stepping into the Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna, each sweat session delivers lasting benefits. 

Elevate your wellness routine with tools designed to help you feel your best, from the inside out. Explore our collection of infrared therapy products and discover the HigherDOSE difference for yourself.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessie Quinn is a lifestyle journalist with bylines in Glamour, PEOPLE, Flow Space, StyleCaster, and more, with over a decade of experience covering everything from the latest wellness trends to her love (okay, obsession) with red light therapy. She's also an artist and certified Reiki Master who is passionate about helping others tune into their own creative energy and experiencing the high that can come from flow state.

Jessie Quinn