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Glossary
Infrared vs. traditional sauna
A traditional (Finnish) sauna heats the air to 80 to 100 °C, while an infrared sauna warms the body with infrared radiation at an air temperature of about 45 to 65 °C.
Also: infrared sauna vs sauna, infrared vs Finnish sauna, dry sauna vs infrared
Updated
Two ways to heat
A traditional sauna uses a stove to heat the air. The hot air passes its heat to the skin, and water on the stones briefly raises the humidity. An infrared sauna uses heaters or heating films that emit far-infrared. The radiation is absorbed by the skin and turns into heat there, while the air stays comparatively mild.
| Traditional sauna | Infrared sauna | |
|---|---|---|
| Air temperature | 80–100 °C | about 45–65 °C |
| Humidity | 10–20 %, briefly higher with water on the stones | Dry, no water |
| Heat source | Sauna stove, hot air | Infrared heaters, radiation |
| Heat-up | Usually 30–60 minutes | Usually 10–20 minutes |
| Power supply | Usually a dedicated high-power circuit, by an electrician | Often a normal power point |
| Typical session | 8–15 minutes per round | 20–40 minutes |
| Space | Fixed room or cabin | Cabin or portable |
Which suits whom
- Traditional sauna: for anyone who wants high heat, steam from the stones and the classic ritual, and has the space and a high-power circuit.
- Infrared sauna: for anyone who prefers milder air, longer sessions, or a setup without an electrician.
- Portable infrared sauna: for flats and homes without a fixed spot; it folds away.
At Helsi™: the Helsi™ One Sauna Dome
The Helsi™ One Sauna Dome is a compact infrared sauna for one person, lying down. Graphene far-infrared heaters in both domes and the mat, adjustable in three zones from level 0 to 9, plus 132 LEDs in red and near-infrared. It runs at 1,800 W on a normal power point, warms up in 15 to 20 minutes, and slid together it stands at 100 × 76.5 × 48 cm, like a side table.
- Heat-up
- 15–20 min
- Power
- 1,800 W
- normal power point
- Set up
- 200 × 80 cm
More at Helsi™
Related terms
- Contrast therapyContrast therapy is the deliberate switch between heat and cold, such as a sauna followed by an ice bath, repeated over several rounds.
- Red light vs. infraredRed light is visible light of about 620 to 780 nm and infrared is invisible radiation from 780 nm; the classic red “heat lamp” is really an infrared heater, while LED red light devices emit narrow bands of red and near-infrared.
This entry explains a term in technical terms. It makes no claim about health effects and is not medical advice. Helsi™ products are not medical devices.