What are infrared saunas and why do celebrities love them? Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston are all fans of the wellness treatment trending on Instagram
- Using infrared light to heat a sauna means your body absorbs more heat directly and sweats out toxins more easily – but what are the risks you should know about?
- Lady Gaga swears by infrared sauna sessions to ease muscle spasms and pain caused by fibromyalgia, while Gwyneth Paltrow told Instagram she uses one every day
Wondering what the latest celebrity wellness trend might be? Clue: it’s not your typical juice cleanse. Nowadays, A-listers are embracing the benefits of the infrared sauna, a type of heat treatment that can tackle physical and mental health issues while also providing natural relaxation.
Infrared saunas have gained in popularity in recent years, enticing wellness enthusiasts and the rich and famous alike. Using infrared light to provide heat, rather than more conventional sources such as electricity or a wood fire, means much more of the heat is absorbed by the body while much less heats the air in the room around you. Several small studies suggest this means the experience is more detoxifying than a regular sauna, as you can remain feeling comfortable for longer while you sweat out water – and with it toxins.
Lady Gaga, who suffers muscle spasms and pain caused by fibromyalgia, swears by the treatment, saying on Instagram: “When my body goes into a spasm one thing I find really helps is infrared sauna.”
What are infrared saunas?
Unlike conventional saunas that rely on steam or dry heat to warm the room, infrared saunas directly warm your body using light from infrared lamps. The resulting electromagnetic radiation easily penetrates human tissue, providing what users say is a deeper and more soothing heat experience.
This form of heating means they operate at lower temperatures – typically between 48 degrees Celsius (118 Fahrenheit) and 60 degrees Celsius (140 Fahrenheit) – compared to traditional saunas which reach temperatures of 65-82 Celsius (149-180 Fahrenheit). Experts claim that up to 80 per cent of the heat goes into warming your body, resulting in a more intense sweat even at these lower temperatures.