Being in an infrared sauna has been a (lucky) part of my career as an esthetician. Since I've worked at many full-service spas, I've always had access to these types of saunas, so I often indulge in a quick 30-minute session for a relaxing, all-out sweat-out experience. But now that I'm a stay-at-home mom working from home—and no longer in that wonderful spa realm—I have to figure out how to satisfy my sauna craving at home. This is how I came across the High Dose Infrared Sauna Blanket.
Lockdown has had an impact on my sleep, mental health and body, so I'm unhappy when I can't sweat it out in the sauna regularly. That's where an infrared sauna blanket comes in: It essentially takes the technology and health benefits you get in an infrared sauna and puts it into a real blanket for the home. I was excited, but also skeptical: could it really give me the same benefits and sweat? Will I feel claustrophobic? How would it work if my head stuck out?
I asked some experts to help clarify how a portable version of the technology works, and then put the product to the test. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the benefits of infrared sauna blankets, and whether they're really worth the hype.
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What is an infrared sauna blanket?
Infrared saunas work by emitting infrared radiation at infrared wavelengths to heat the body, says Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Traditionally, you sit in an enclosed space - like a regular sauna - and sweat as your body heats up. Its blanket form looks like a sleeping bag and feels almost like a weighted blanket and can be used anytime and anywhere people want to experience the benefits of an infrared sauna in their own space.
Infrared Sauna Blanket Higher Dose
what is the benefit?
While you'll definitely sweat in both environments, infrared radiation doesn't feel as hot as a traditional sauna: the temperature range is lower (120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to 150 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit for a regular sauna), and the infrared waves penetrate Going deeper with warmer air will keep your core body temperature higher. This means you can more easily stay in the room (or blanket) for longer and get more benefits. More research is needed to confirm this, Gashik explained, but some evidence suggests infrared saunas can improve cardiovascular function and blood circulation and help treat certain types of conditions, such as high blood pressure and rheumatoid joints. inflammation. It has also been shown that infrared light can help reduce body pain and speed up muscle recovery.
It is also said to have beauty benefits. "In terms of skin benefits, infrared heat may help reduce puffiness and swelling, thereby improving the overall appearance of the skin, while increasing blood circulation for an overall glowing skin," Garshick says. "Aestheticians, I attest to that."
You'll hear a lot of people use the word "detox" when talking about infrared saunas - but that's not what they do. "The word detox can be tricky because what's being eliminated isn't necessarily the actual toxins," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alaleh Akhavan, MD, of Joyful Dermatology tells Bustle. "But a sauna blanket can help you release sweat, so you can Feel refreshed and renewed. “No matter what, your body will use its own organs to detoxify itself.
The main benefit of using an infrared sauna blanket, though, is that it feels really good. Who doesn’t want to experience a hearty sweat?
How often can I use an infrared blanket?
According to HighDose, infrared sauna blankets are safe to use every day - just make sure to listen to your body and its sensations. I personally use it at least twice a week, preferably at night, as it helps me wind down after a long day chasing my one year old and of course helps me sleep better. "Infrared exposure 90 minutes before bed can help promote restful sleep because core body temperature rises and then cools to promote natural sleepiness," says Akhavan.
Are infrared sauna blankets worth the hype?
In my opinion, yes: worth the hype. My blanket has completely taken over my home because it has exceeded my expectations. It fits my queen size bed perfectly and is easy to put on and off with the Velcro seams. I'm 5'10" and my feet don't get squished at the bottom, so that's an added bonus as well (my taller compatriots understand).
Rather than trudging to the spa and sitting where everyone else is naked, an infrared sauna blanket can provide a relaxing experience in your home without taking up much space (it wraps up nicely). My blanket has improved the quality of my sleep, enhanced the glow of my skin, and relieved my muscle tension. Wrapping myself into a sweaty burrito has become my favorite self-care ritual.
While the blanket is a gift, I completely understand that these blankets tend to be a bit pricey at $599 - but I would 100% buy them myself. Think of it this way: A sauna session in a spa-like setting costs about $60 a session, so if you choose twice a week, you're already paying for the portable blanket the first month.
Research references:
Balolet, D. (2017). Infrared light and skin: friend or foe. J Photochem Photobiol B. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4745411/
Hussain, J. (2018). Clinical effectiveness of regular dry sauna bathing: a systematic review. Evidence-based complement alternative medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5941775/
