4 Sauna Wrap Benefits to Know

When you picture a sauna, you probably imagine a wooden box filled with wood-fired heat—and that’s an accurate picture. Known for promoting extensive health benefits, saunas have long been a popular tool in the wellness world.

But what if you could access the relaxation and wellness benefits of a sauna from anywhere—no wooden boxes required? Well, with a sauna wrap, you can.

Curious about sauna wrap benefits and how to experience them for yourself? Let’s talk about this cutting-edge invention and the powerful upgrade it can offer your health and wellness routine.

How Sauna Wraps Work

First things first: What is a sauna wrap, exactly?

Also known as sauna blankets, on the surface, it looks like a blanket or sleeping bag, and to experience its benefits, you simply wrap it around your body (or get in and zip it up). Unlike in traditional saunas, only the wearer senses the heat.

Essentially, a sauna wrap is like a portable sauna that uses infrared heat in place of conventional heating methods.

Infrared Heat vs. Traditional Saunas

At this point, you may be wondering the differences between infrared vs traditional saunas.

In traditional saunas, a central heat source (such as a hot rock or wood fire) raises the air temperature inside an enclosed structure. In comparison, infrared saunas cut out the middleman (a.k.a. the central heat source) and instead use infrared light to heat the body. No steam or fire required.

Infrared waves occupy a part of the electromagnetic spectrum that’s invisible to the human eye. However, we still feel infrared waves—we just register them as heat.¹

As a result, sauna wraps offer targeted heat (limited to where the light strikes the body) while traditional saunas provide an even, all-encompassing warmth. Infrared waves also penetrate deeper into your tissues—up to 1.5 inches beneath the skin.²

Convenience & Portability

Why would sauna users opt for infrared over traditional methods? While neither method offers inherently superior benefits, infrared saunas have two things going for them that conventional saunas don’t:

• Convenience – Traditional saunas require a larger outlay of time and energy. You need to switch them on, wait for them to heat, and ensure they fully cool after use. Not to mention, traditional saunas take up a significant amount of space. If you don’t have room for one in your home, you have to travel elsewhere to reap the benefits.
• Portability – Unfortunately, you can’t conjure up a traditional sauna during a business trip or vacation. But with a sauna wrap, you can dial up the heat anytime you want. Simply slip it into your luggage.

Given their smaller size and simpler mechanism, sauna wraps also beat out traditional saunas when it comes to affordability. What’s more, their targeted heating also allows you to keep your head cool without relying on sauna hats.

Key Health Benefits of Sauna Wraps

Now, let’s talk infrared sauna blanket benefits: What they are, and why they’re sought after.

#1 Detoxification

As with traditional saunas, eliminating toxins tops the list of sauna wrap benefits. Users can experience:

• Sweating and toxin elimination – Plenty of unsavory metabolites (think: heavy metals and pesticides) can exist in our bodies.³ By penetrating deeper and promoting copious sweating, infrared saunas offer a profound detox.
• Boosted lymphatic drainage – Some studies have shown a promising correlation between infrared sauna use and lymphatic drainage.⁴ By elevating the body’s core temperature, sauna wraps kickstart circulation, improving both fluid flow and waste elimination.
• Better skin health – When it comes to preventing wrinkles and restoring a glowing complexion, collagen and elastin play a critical role. Fortunately, exposure to infrared light boosts the production of both proteins, paving the way to more radiant skin.⁵

By clearing toxic buildup, sauna wraps make it possible for the body to rebuild itself. Over time, this compounds into steady health gains, both physical and mental.

#2 Recovery & Pain Relief

Heat has long been a friend to those searching for pain relief. By delivering targeted warmth, sauna wraps can promote:

• Muscle relaxation and tension relief – Given its deep penetration, infrared heat excels at soothing taught muscles. It also boosts circulation, improving blood flow to sore spots.
• Reduced inflammation – A sauna wrap’s far-reaching heat invites oxygen to enter the bloodstream, and more oxygen calms swelling and inflammation. For those suffering from chronic pain, infrared heat can offer potent relief.
• Faster post-workout recovery – Every time we push our muscles, we leave them with microscopic tears. By encouraging blood flow, sauna wraps speed up the body's natural healing process, making them an excellent addition to your recovery toolbox.

#3 Stress Reduction & Relaxation

Beyond physical benefits, sauna wraps can also promote mental wellness through stress relief and relaxation. Plus, it’s no secret that reduced stress levels lead to better health overall.

Infrared saunas promote mental tranquility by:

• Lowering cortisol – On a chemical level, stress equates to the chemical cortisol. Research shows that, although cortisol initially rises during a sauna session, it falls significantly afterward.⁶
• Improving sleep quality – What follows lower stress? Better sleep. By thoroughly relaxing the body, sauna wrap sessions can invite a more blissful and restorative nightly slumber.
• Encouraging endorphin release – Endorphins play a critical role in mood elevation and stress reduction. While exercise can cause your body to release these feel-good chemicals, so can sitting in an infrared sauna.⁷ That means a better mood and elevated energy levels are likely to follow each sauna wrap session.

Learn more about using an infrared sauna for anxiety and stress relief in our blog.

#4 Weight Management Support

When it comes to weight management, nothing can replace regular exercise and a clean diet. However, you can certainly supplement these two pillars for superior results—and you can do so using a sauna wrap.

How do sauna wraps support weight management?

• Sauna wraps elevate core body temperature, as exercise does.
• Higher body temperature generally produces a higher metabolic rate, which translates to elevated calorie burn.⁸
• In conjunction with a workout regimen and healthy diet, this can accelerate weight loss.

If you’ve used a sauna before, you know that its intense heat also kicks your heart into high gear, sometimes elevating rates to those reached during moderate exercise.

A thumping heart signals a hard-working body. And since your body taps calories to fuel its exertions, it’s safe to assume some calorie incineration as you lie inside your sauna wrap.

Plus, as we’ve already seen, infrared heat soothes sore muscles and speeds up recovery. A swifter, smoother bounceback makes it easier, both physically and mentally, to stick with an exercise plan. Learn more about using an infrared sauna for weight loss in our blog.

Are There Any Risks or Precautions?

Are infrared sauna blankets safe, you ask? Sauna wraps offer a host of benefits and serve as a worthwhile addition to any wellness routine. However, they’re not completely risk-free.

Before adding a sauna wrap to your daily regimen, take a moment to survey the possible hazards and precautions.

Potential Risks

Although sauna wraps are safe for most people, proper use is key. Be aware of potential side effects and take steps to avoid them.

These include:

• Dehydration – Intense sweating can easily drain your fluid reserves. Take care to hydrate before and after using your sauna wrap to prevent dehydration.
• Overheating – Since sauna wraps infuse your body with heat, it’s possible to enter “overheated” territory. If you experience dizziness or nausea, remove the wrap immediately.
• Skin irritation – High heat can dry out sensitive skin, leaving it cracked or inflamed over time. Increased blood flow can also produce flushing and redness. If you experience any kind of skin irritation, limit your sauna wrap sessions, drink extra water, and consider a hydrating moisturizer to replenish your skin.

Healthy individuals can easily reduce the likelihood of these side effects by thoroughly hydrating and monitoring for any red-flag symptoms.

Who Should Avoid or Use Caution

Some people, on the other hand, should skip sauna wraps entirely. Others may want to exercise caution before diving into a prolonged session.⁹ The best way to ensure your health and safety is to consult with a healthcare provider, particularly if you:

• Are pregnant
• Have heart issues (especially those due to heat-induced cardio pressure)
• Have low blood pressure
• Are elderly
• Are prone to dizziness and dehydration

Additionally, children under six years old should not use sauna wraps as they’re unable to effectively regulate their body temperatures.

If the thought of using a sauna wrap gives you pause for any reason, talk to a healthcare provider. They can help alleviate concerns or outline precautions specific to your health profile.

Safe Usage Guidelines

Ready to embark on your sauna wrap journey? Follow the guidelines below to ensure a safe and rewarding first experience:

• Ease into the heat – Start with the lowest setting and work your way up.
• Limit duration to 15-20 minutes – Also, allow for up to 6 hours between sessions.¹⁰
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – Increase your fluid intake before and after use.
• Spread on a flat surface – A bedroom floor or yoga mat make excellent options.
• Wear breathable clothing – This helps prevent skin irritation and moisture buildup.

Take the proper precautions, and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the immense benefits of infrared sauna wraps. To learn more about how often to use an infrared sauna, check out our blog.

Discover Lifepro Infrared Saunas Today

With their ability to promote detoxification, recovery, stress reduction, and weight management, infrared sauna wraps offer a potent (and portable) alternative to traditional saunas.

Want to experience the benefits for yourself? Try Lifepro’s infrared sauna blankets today.

At Lifepro, we understand that everyone’s wellness journey is unique. That’s why we’re committed to providing a diverse roster of wellness tools that can help you pave the way toward a better, healthier life.

Sources:

1. Nasa. What are Infrared Waves? https://science.nasa.gov/ems/07_infraredwaves/
2. Tucson Sports Recovery. Near Infrared vs. Far Infrared Saunas. https://www.tucsonsportsrecovery.com/near-infrared-vs-far-infrared-saunas
3. Melbourne Integrative Oncology Group. Infrared Saunas: A Modern Solution for Detox and Relaxation  https://www.miog.com.au/blog/infrared-sauna
4. National Library of Medicine. Efficacy and safety of far infrared radiation in lymphedema treatment: clinical evaluation and laboratory analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28127644/
5. National Library of Medicine. Effects of Infrared Radiation on Skin Photo-Aging and Pigmentation.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2687728/
6. Warner Orthopedics. Here’s Why Saunas Stimulate Muscle Growth. https://warnerorthopedics.com/heres-why-saunas-stimulate-muscle-growth/
7. Mental Health Center of America. Heat Exposure (Infrared Sauna). https://mentalhealthcenter.com/heat-exposure-infrared-sauna/
8. National Library of Medicine. Do the Obese Have Lower Body Temperatures? A New Look at a Forgotten Variable in Energy Balance. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2744512/
9. Healthline. Are Infrared Saunas Safe? https://www.healthline.com/health/infrared-sauna-dangers#whats-the-risk
10. MoveU. The Health Benefits of Infrared Sauna Blankets.https://moveu.com/blogs/news/the-health-benefits-of-infrared-sauna-blankets