SAUNA THERAPY FOR

DETOXIFICATION AND HEALING 

Saunas have been around for thousands of years. They've manifested differently across cultures, such as a Mayan sweat lodge or a Finnish wood-burning sauna. Even the Egyptians are known to have utilized heat therapy to prevent tumor growth.

Regardless of the time or culture surrounding sauna use, they had one common goal — improving health and healing through detoxification. 

Science has advanced since the days of the humble wood-fired sauna, but the goal hasn't changed. Saunas still cleanse the body of cellular waste and toxins and bring about a health transformation. 

How exactly does detoxification work, and how does sauna therapy fit into the picture? We explore this in our detailed article about sauna therapy for detoxification and healing. 

What is Sauna Therapy? Understanding How a Sauna Works

Before we delve into sauna detox benefits, let's understand sauna therapy. 

Sauna therapy comprises spending a set period of time in a heated, enclosed cabin to attain health benefits. This "heat box" is a sauna that exposes your body to high (regulated) temperatures.

A sauna's high temperature causes "heat shock" by raising your core body temperature. This heat shock causes responses such as fast breathing and sweating, initiating the detox process.

People today can choose between two types of saunas:

1. Traditional Sauna

2. Infrared Sauna

   
   

Traditional Sauna

A traditional sauna is based on the original Finnish sauna concept. The original Finnish sauna was a wood-fired cabin that heated a pile of stones using high-quality, scented wood. 

The heat from the stones warms the air in the cabin, producing a therapeutic atmosphere with benefits such as:

• Better sleep

• Improved cardiovascular health

• Enhanced mental well-being

• Muscle repair

  
  

A traditional sauna operates on a similar concept today, with a few modern tweaks. 

Most traditional saunas today use an electrical heater. This heater features a mound of stones that warms up the space. One can control the heat level with a switch.

Traditional saunas can accommodate a single person or up to twelve people. The cabins are made of high-quality wood, replicating the original sauna's wood-fired warmth.

Traditional sauna temperatures usually take around 30 minutes to heat up. The ideal temperature range for a traditional sauna is between 150–175°F. 

Sauna users can enjoy the dry temperature of a sauna as they begin their session. Toward the end, they can enjoy a steam session by creating löyly, a therapeutic atmosphere reminiscent of original Finnish saunas. This is done by pouring hot water over the pile of rocks to produce steam.

Infrared Sauna

A traditional sauna heats the air around the body. An infrared sauna heats the body directly. An infrared sauna works on the concept of radiant heat. It generates heat via EMF, or electromagnetic radiation, with carbon panels or emitters. 

These infrared heaters emit heat at various wavelengths, namely:

• Near-infrared

• Mid-infrared

• Far-infrared

  
  

Each of these wavelengths has a different effect on the body and indicates the extent of penetration beneath the skin. An infrared sauna uses light sauna therapy to cause sweating and detoxification. 

An infrared sauna has no humidity, only dry heat. Because infrared saunas heat the body directly, they require less time in the sauna, ideally 15 minutes. Infrared saunas are also less warm, with temperatures ranging from 120 to 140°F.

Although both produce a relaxing atmosphere and flush out toxins, traditional saunas have long-proven benefits. 

How Does Traditional Sauna Therapy Maximize the Benefits of a Sauna Detox?

Most people go through life unaware of the staggering amount of toxins accumulated in their bodies. Even if you eat clean, practice personal hygiene, and avoid chemical-heavy products, you're bound to attract toxins from the environment. Both indoor and outdoor pollutants carry dangerous amounts of toxins. 

Your skin can absorb them from:

• The perfumes you spray

• The bathing products you use

• The clothes you wear

  
  

Most toxins infiltrate your body and poison your enzymes, causing physiological dysfunction. They can cause illness, accelerate aging, or cause skin problems.

In today's world, you can't always restrict your exposure to toxins, but you can attempt to flush them out. Sauna therapy is one of the most effective ways to accomplish this. 

Here are the detoxifying effects of sauna therapy on your body:

Healing with Heat

Heat is the most powerful tool in sauna therapy. Heat exposure triggers a physiological response in which your body seeks to maintain a steady temperature. 

This improves circulation, which aids in the collection of toxins trapped in tricky locations such as:

• Bones

• Sinuses

• Teeth 

  
  

According to Dr. Lawrence Wilson, sauna therapy uses the power of heat to blitz pathological bacteria and cells within the body. Heat causes damaged cells and harmful chemicals to rise to the skin's surface. Because these injured cells are heat-sensitive, they either lose power or die. 

Wilson also believes regular sauna heat exposure can cause hyperthermia, which helps eliminate mutated cells and prevents them from replicating. 

Sweating

While our kidneys and liver are the primary organs for toxin release, another organ plays an important role. The skin can eject up to 30% of toxins, reducing the load on our kidneys and liver. It does this through the simple act of sweating.

Sweating is one of the most efficient ways for your body to detoxify itself in a sauna. When you enter a traditional sauna, the humidity of the sauna cabin causes you to sweat. Your pores open and expel sweat allowing your tissues to release the chemicals, metals, and other previously stored toxins.

A research study observed participants exposed to a 200-degree dry sauna for 15 minutes. According to the sweat analysis, many participants expelled nearly 40-100 micrograms of lead through their bodies.

Another study demonstrated that sauna-triggered sweating mobilizes the release of BPA, or Bisphenol A, a chemical found in polycarbonate plastics. The body stores this chemical in fat tissues and excretes it in response to sauna-triggered heat and sweat. 

Muscle Recovery and Healing

As new oxygen-enriched blood enters your muscles, it relieves stress and tension, allowing them to heal faster. Sauna sessions also relieve discomfort and muscular tension following minor injuries.

A study by the Mayo Clinic confirms that sauna sessions offer antioxidant advantages that can help reduce inflammation. It is said to have a "synergistic effect on neuroendocrine, circulatory, cardiovascular, and immune function."

Skin Purification

As the largest organ in our body, the skin removes toxins through sweat. This helps purify the blood, resulting in brighter, younger-looking skin. Saunas are well known for their ability to treat minor skin disorders such as acne and improve complexion, and there are also claims that they can restore damaged skin.

Toxin removal results in oxygen-rich blood, helping the body build key cells for repairing skin conditions like:

• Eczema

• Psoriasis

• Scars

  
  

However, those with these serious skin conditions should consult their doctor before participating in sauna sessions.

Boosts Immune Function

Regular exposure to heat in a traditional sauna ensures toxins are consistently flushed out. This level of detox improves the body's immune response. As the body's immune system improves, resistance to illnesses increases.

For instance, researchers studied the white blood cell profiles of participants who underwent traditional Finnish sauna sessions. 

In this study, they discovered that four elements showed a significant increase after sauna sessions:

1. Neutrophils

2. Basophils

3. Lymphocytes

4. White blood cells

Tips to Facilitate Detox Through Sauna Heat Therapy

While it's true that regular sauna sessions facilitate detox, there are also some steps you can take to maximize its benefits. 

Hydrate

Drink plenty of fluids before and after your sauna sessions. You can consume water, isotonic drinks, and beverages such as tea or fruit juice. For an improved detox experience, squeeze in some lime or infuse it with ginger.

Hydrating properly ensures toxins are mobilized smoothly through adequate sweating. It also ensures your body receives the critical nutrients it loses during your sweat session.

Time Your Sauna Well

Most traditional saunas recommend spending at least 15–20 minutes in the sauna for effective toxin removal. You can spend up to 30 minutes in the sauna if you're a seasoned sauna user. Infrared saunas require less time, ideally 15 minutes. 

Ensure you take a break before you return for another session. During this time, you should take a shower or a cold plunge so your pores contract to their base size. 

This ensures your body does not continue to sweat and you do not lose critical nutrients. It also prevents external toxins from entering your skin through open pores once you leave the sauna.

Nutritional Support

You should also ensure your body gets sufficient nourishment after your sauna sessions. Follow a detox diet to continue the detox process between sauna sessions. Consume plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. 

FAQs: Sauna Therapy for Detoxification and Healing

How long should you stay in a sauna for detox?

A sauna detox is successful when you adhere to proper sauna durations. It's recommended to stay for at least 15–25 minutes in a traditional sauna. Ideally, you should engage in sauna sessions at least thrice a week for an effective detox.

Are there any side effects of a sauna detox?

When it comes to sauna therapy, moderation is key. Extending your sauna sessions without breaks, not hydrating, or sitting too close to the heater in a bid to sweat faster can have adverse consequences. Overuse of a sauna can cause excessive sweating and dehydration. It can also cause electrolyte imbalances, flu, or nausea. 

Can sauna or steam room help with detox?

Both dry and moist saunas help you detox. Traditional saunas employ both dry heat and steam to help you sweat. Infrared saunas emit radiant heat, which directly impacts your body. 

Key Takeaways: Sauna Therapy for Detoxification and Healing

Sweating is a simple bodily function, but sauna therapy maximizes its effects so your body can begin healing. Detoxing through sauna therapy is one of the simplest and most natural methods of removing toxins. It eliminates cellular trash, metals, chemicals, and other dangerous components our bodies have absorbed. This leads to other advantages, such as muscle restoration and clear skin.

Are community saunas the ideal place to start your detox sauna journey? As everyone sweats together in a shared sauna, you risk exposure to the toxins of others. A home sauna is one of the most effective ways to cleanse your body.

When you decide to purchase your own sauna, ensure you buy your traditional sauna from a reputable retailer. My Sauna World is a leading retailer of saunas you can trust. Choose from our wide selection of sauna types, whether they're traditional saunas or infrared saunas.

Feel free to contact us for more information; our staff will gladly assist you.