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Red Light Therapy vs. Infrared Sauna: Differences & More
Imagine transforming your home into a personal oasis, where tools for recovery, relaxation, and overall well-being are at your fingertips. This is exactly what red light therapy and infrared saunas can offer.
But with so much buzz around red light therapy vs infrared saunas, how do you know which is right for you?
Whether you’re looking to boost your energy, support muscle recovery, or simply feel your best, understanding these two wellness tools can help you make the most of your at-home self-care routine.
In this guide, we’ll break down red light therapy vs infrared sauna: How they work, their unique benefits, and which option might best fit your lifestyle and goals.
Understanding Core Concepts
Before diving into the details, let’s start with the basics: Red light therapy and infrared saunas are both designed to support the body’s natural healing and recovery process.
Aside from muscle recovery, people also turn to these therapies for:
- Relaxation
- Skin health
- Overall well-being.
But how exactly do these wellness tools offer support? Let’s get to the heart of what makes these therapies so powerful:
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of visible red light and near-infrared light to support the body’s natural healing process.9 It’s like a recharge for your cells—a burst of sunlight that energizes your body from the inside out, revitalizing and repairing you on a cellular level.
How does red light therapy work?
Through a process called photobiomodulation, this light energy is absorbed by cells, stimulating their function and promoting:
- Cellular regeneration – Red light therapy can enhance cellular function through photobiomodulation, which boosts energy production and aids in tissue repair.2
- Skin health – Red light therapy can stimulate collagen production, improve skin tone, and support a more youthful appearance.1
- Muscle recovery – For muscle recovery, red light therapy can reduce soreness and accelerate healing, thereby enhancing performance.2
- Inflammation reduction – Red light therapy helps reduce inflammation by calming the body’s response to stress and supporting long-term recovery.1
While red light therapy harnesses specific wavelengths of light to support cellular function and recovery, infrared saunas take a different approach.
What Is an Infrared Sauna?
An infrared sauna is a unique wellness tool that uses far-infrared light to heat the body from within, offering a deeply relaxing and detoxifying experience.3
Unlike traditional saunas, (which heat the air around you) infrared saunas target your body directly, providing a more effective and comfortable session.4 Learn more about infrared vs traditional saunas in our blog.
You can think of infrared saunas as quiet alchemists, melting away tension, flushing out toxins, and leaving your body feeling renewed.
Through this alchemy, infrared saunas can promote:
- Sweating and detoxification – Infrared saunas promote sweating and detoxification by helping the body release impurities through the skin.5
- Relaxation – They encourage relaxation by reducing stress and easing tension in both the body and mind.4
- Cardiovascular health – Infrared saunas can support cardiovascular health by increasing heart rate and circulation.6
- Deep tissue relief – Deep tissue relief is achieved by soothing sore muscles and promoting recovery after workouts.7
Red Light vs. Infrared Light
Red light and infrared light both belong to the electromagnetic spectrum but differ in wavelength, depth of penetration, and potential applications.
Red light has a wavelength of around 700 nanometers and is visible to the human eye; it’s commonly used in LED devices for skin treatments, surface wound healing, and boosting circulation near the skin’s surface.
Infrared light, on the other hand, has a longer wavelength (780 nanometers to 1 millimeter), is invisible to the human eye, and can penetrate deeper into tissues, making it useful for joint and muscle pain relief, as well as promoting relaxation and circulation deeper under the skin.
Now, let’s dive even deeper and shed light on the key differences between red light therapy vs infrared saunas.
Rejuvacure™ One-Person Infrared Sauna
RejuvaWrap™ Infrared Sauna Blanket
AllevaGlove Red Light Therapy Glove
Key Differences Between Red Light Therapy & Infrared Saunas
Both red light therapy and infrared saunas can be incredibly beneficial for your health.
Though these tools share the same goal of boosting overall wellness, they each provide their own unique experience and benefits.
Heat and Sweating
Red light therapy and infrared saunas have different approaches to heat and sweating.
- Red light therapy – Red light therapy focuses on healing and cellular rejuvenation without raising body temperature or inducing sweating. Instead, it uses light to stimulate adenosine triphosphate, the energy source for all cells.8
- Infrared saunas – In contrast, infrared saunas heat your body from within, inducing a cleansing sweat and full-body relief.4;
Light Spectrum & Mechanism of Action
The light spectrum and how it interacts with your body is at the heart of what sets red light therapy and infrared saunas apart.
Picture this: With red light therapy, precise wavelengths of light penetrate deep into your cells, gently nudging your body to heal and restore.9 It's a subtle, internal transformation, encouraging energy production and tissue repair.9
On the other hand, infrared saunas envelop you in a warmth that reaches beneath the surface to support the body’s natural healing process.1
To better understand how these therapies work, let’s break down their unique mechanisms:
- Red light therapy - Red light therapy uses visible red light which is absorbed by the skin and cells, helping support cellular health, recovery, and rejuvenation.9
- Infrared saunas - Infrared saunas penetrate deeper into the body, promoting relaxation and detoxification.9
Health Benefits Comparison
Red light therapy and infrared saunas also offer unique benefits that promote health and vitality in different ways:
- Red light therapy - Red light therapy is a true multitasker for overall health—it can enhance skin health, speed up muscle recovery, reduce inflammation, improve sleep, and boost energy levels.1
- Infrared saunas - Some of the most notable infrared sauna benefits include detoxification, improving cardiovascular health, supporting weight loss, and promoting stress relief.4
Ease of Use & Accessibility
As you can see, both red light therapy and infrared saunas offer accessible ways to support your health, but their ease of use can vary depending on your space and schedule:
- Red light therapy - Red light therapy devices are typically compact, user-friendly, and safe for daily use. You can easily incorporate them into your at-home routine with minimal setup or cleanup.
- Infrared saunas - Infrared saunas generally require more space, as well as more time to heat up and cool down. Plus, there's some post-session cleanup involved.
At this point, you might be wondering, “Can these two powerful therapies join forces for even greater benefits?”
Let’s explore how combining these tools might result in the ultimate holistic health duo.
Can Red Light Therapy & Infrared Saunas Be Used Together?
By pairing these two therapies, you can experience the benefits of both heat and light to support your body on multiple levels. Together, they can create a powerful synergy, operating in distinct, yet harmonious ways.
Combing red light therapy and infrared saunas works particularly well because10:
- Red light therapy enhances the deep tissue benefits of the infrared sauna
- Infrared saunas open up your pores, so red light can penetrate more effectively
- The relaxation from the sauna complements the energizing effects of the red light
- Combining the two can accelerate recovery and reduce inflammation more efficiently
Choosing the Right Therapy for Your Needs
Choosing the right therapy is about listening to your body and deciphering its needs.
If you crave energy and faster recovery, red light therapy may be the spark you need. Alternatively, an infrared sauna can be ideal if your body longs for deep relaxation, detoxification, or muscle relief. And of course, you can always pair both tools for even more comprehensive benefits.
Ultimately, by considering your specific needs and lifestyle, you can select the treatment that aligns best with your holistic health journey.
Let’s take a look at some examples.
Best for Skin Health & Muscle Recovery → Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy delivers powerful benefits for your skin and muscles, offering a targeted approach that goes beyond the surface:
- Skin health – Red light stimulates collagen production, helping to reduce wrinkles and fine lines while improving skin tone for a more youthful, glowing appearance.1
- Muscle recovery – By enhancing blood flow and reducing inflammation, red light therapy can speed healing and reduce soreness after intense workouts.7
- Cellular boost – Red light penetrates deep into tissues, rejuvenating cells and encouraging faster recovery and repair.9
Best for Detoxification & Relaxation → Infrared Sauna
The deep, penetrating heat of an infrared sauna offers more than just comfort—it also helps cleanse and rejuvenate your body by promoting6:
- Detoxification – The far-infrared heat penetrates deep into your skin, encouraging your body to release toxins through sweat for a cleaner, refreshed feeling. Whether you prefer a full-sized sauna or a more portable option like sauna blankets, the benefits of heat therapy remain the same.
- Relaxation – The soothing warmth of the sauna promotes deep relaxation, easing tension and stress, and helping you feel calm, centered, and at peace. Many people find personal saunas to be an easy way to bring this experience into their daily routine without needing a dedicated spa space.
- Improved circulation – Infrared saunas help boost blood flow, supporting overall health and rejuvenation.
Best for Comprehensive Wellness → Combining Both
For a truly holistic wellness experience, try combining red light therapy and infrared saunas. Pairing both therapies offers unmatched benefits such as10:
- Full-body healing – Infrared saunas promote whole-body healing, while red light therapy targets specific concerns like muscle recovery and skin health.
- Enhanced recovery – The heat from the sauna prepares your body for the rejuvenating effects of red light therapy, speeding up healing and reducing soreness.
Lifepro Red Light Therapy Devices & Infrared Saunas
At Lifepro, we understand that everyone’s wellness journey is unique. That’s why we offer both red light therapy devices and infrared saunas to meet your specific needs.
Our red light therapy devices use targeted light wavelengths to support multiple aspects of your mental and physical health—all with a simple, convenient design ideal for everyday use. What’s more, our infrared saunas harness the power of deep-penetrating heat to recreate the calming, stress-relieving experience of an at-home sauna.
Ready to elevate your wellness routine? Explore Lifepro's products today and take the next step toward a healthier, more vibrant you.
Sources:
- Cleveland Clinic. Red Light Therapy: Benefits, Side Effects & Uses. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22114-red-light-therapy
- National Library of Medicine. Photobiomodulation in human muscle tissue: an advantage in sports performance? https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5167494/
- Mayo Clinic. What is an infrared sauna? Does it have health benefits? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/infrared-sauna/faq-20057954
- Healthline. Is an Infrared Sauna Better Than a Traditional Sauna? https://www.healthline.com/health/infrared-sauna-benefits
- Melbourne Integrative Oncology Group. Infrared Saunas: A Modern Solution for Detox and Relaxation. https://www.miog.com.au/blog/infrared-sauna
- National Library of Medicine. The Cardiometabolic Health Benefits of Sauna Exposure in Individuals with High-Stress Occupations. A Mechanistic Review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7908414/.
- National Library of Medicine. A post-exercise infrared sauna session improves recovery of neuromuscular performance and muscle soreness after resistance exercise training. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10286597/
- Medical News Today. What Is Red Light Therapy (RLT) and How Does It Work? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325884
- Universal Neurological Care. How Red Light Therapy Works: Deep Dive into Cellular Healing. https://universalneurocare.com/how-red-light-therapy-works/
- Everybody in Mind Wellness Center. The Synergy Between Red Light Therapy And Infrared Sauna. https://everybodymind.com/red-light-therapy-and-infrared-sauna/
