Infrared Sauna

The Science Behind the Infrared Sauna

Infrared Sauna

By Dr. Aftab Samdani | Cryo SubZero Wellness & Longevity

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The information shared in this article is for general educational and wellness purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding any health concerns. Results may vary between individuals. Cryo SubZero offers wellness services and does not provide medical treatment.

What Is Infrared Sauna?

Unlike traditional saunas that heat the air around you, infrared saunas use light to warm your body directly. This deep-penetrating heat delivers the same benefits at a lower, more comfortable temperature, making it effective for detox, recovery, and relaxation.

What Happens Inside Your Body During a Session

Traditional saunas Vs Infrared saunas

Traditional saunas heat the air around you. Infrared saunas do something far more precise:they emit infrared light that penetrates up to 1.5 inches into your tissue, raising your core body temperature from the inside out at a far more comfortable ambient temperature of 40–60°C.

Result

The result? A deeper, more therapeutic sweat without the suffocating heat of a conventional sauna. Your cardiovascular system responds as if you’re exercising. Your heart rate climbs to 100–120 bpm. Blood vessels dilate. Circulation improves. And a cascade of cellular repair processes kicks in all while you sit still.

Cryotherapy session

Documented Benefits What the Research Shows

This isn’t anecdote. The clinical literature on infrared therapy has grown significantly in the last few years, and the findings are compelling.

Cryotherapy chamber

💖 Heart Health

A 2024 comprehensive review confirmed that regular passive heat therapy is linked to improved vascular function, reduced arterial stiffness, lower blood pressure, and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and dementia. A separate 2025 paper published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine specifically highlighted sauna therapy as a novel management approach for cardiovascular health including for patients who cannot exercise due to physical limitations.

💪 Muscle Recovery and Pain Relief

A 2025 PubMed-indexed systematic review found that far-infrared radiation enhances muscle recovery following high-intensity exercise through improved microcirculation, enhanced mitochondrial activity, and accelerated tissue repair. For chronic pain conditions— particularly fibromyalgia and chronic lower back pain a systematic review concludedthat infrared sauna therapy “may be a promising method for treatment.

🧠 Mental Health and Cortisol Reduction

The mental health data is striking. A randomised controlled trial published in Psychosomatic Medicine followed 156 participants with moderate stress over 8 weeks. The infrared sauna group using the sauna three times per week for 30 minutes showed a 24% decrease in cortisol and a 41% reduction in Perceived Stress Scale scores, compared to just 15% in the control group. A separate 2024 study in Psychiatry Research found that a single infrared sauna session increased endorphin levels by 210% and serotonin by 18%. And in a landmark 2024 UCSF study combining infrared therapy with cognitive behavioural therapy, 11 of 12 participants with major depressive disorder no longer met diagnostic criteria after the programme.

😴 Sleep

One large study of global sauna users found that 83% reported improved sleep lasting one to two nights following a session. The mechanism involves both the parasympathetic nervous system response and post-session core temperature drop a well-established sleep trigger.


At Cryo SubZero: Infrared Sauna is a Shared Experience

Most people think of sauna as a solitary ritual. At Cryo SubZero, we’ve built it differently Our infrared sauna accommodates up to four people which means you can come with your partner, bring your family, or train and recover together as a group. There’s something genuinely powerful about shared heat therapy. The conversation slows down. Phones go away. You reconnect. And you all walk out feeling better than when you walked in. Sessions run up to 45 minutes long enough to achieve meaningful physiological benefit,comfortable enough that you’ll actually want to do it regularly.

Add Halotherapy. Take It Further.

For those who want to go deeper, we offer the option to layer Halotherapy into your infrared sauna session both in the same 45-minute appointment. Halotherapy, or dry salt therapy, disperses fine-grade pharmaceutical salt particles into the air during your session. As you breathe, the salt particles travel deep into your airways reducing inflammation, thinning mucus, and supporting respiratory function. A literature review of 13 studies found that halotherapy may improve breathing, clear mucus, and enhance quality of life in people with chronic respiratory conditions. Here's what the evidence supports across the key areas where halotherapy delivers: 😮‍💨 Asthma and Respiratory Conditions Inhaled salt particles carry natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Research indicates they can reduce airway inflammation, thin and mobilise mucus, and improve overall lung function making halotherapy particularly relevant for people managing asthma, chronic bronchitis, COPD, and recurring sinus congestion. Many users report noticeably easier breathing after a single session. ✨ Skin Health Salt has long been used therapeutically for the skin and the science backs it. Halotherapy has shown benefit for conditions including eczema, psoriasis, and acne. The salt particles work to balance the skin's pH, reduce surface bacteria, decrease inflammation, and support the skin barrier. Combined with the deep sweat triggered by infrared heat which flushes pores and promotes skin cell turnover the dual effect on skin health is one of the most noticeable outcomes of a combined session. 🛡️ Immune System Support A cleaner, less inflamed respiratory tract is a more effective first line of defence. Regular halotherapy may help reduce the frequency and severity of colds, respiratory infections, and seasonal illness by keeping the airways clear and reducing the bacterial load in the upper respiratory system. 😌 Stress and the Nervous System The microclimate created by salt therapy has a measurably calming effect on the nervous system. The mineral-rich air, combined with the warmth of the infrared environment, facilitates a deep parasympathetic response the physiological state in which your body repairs, resets, and recovers. Salt ions in the air have also been associated with elevated mood and reduced anxiety. 🌿 Allergy Relief For those with seasonal allergies or environmental sensitivities, halotherapy offers a drug-free complementary option. The anti-inflammatory action of inhaled salt particles can reduce nasal congestion, clear pollen and environmental irritants from the airways, and ease sinus pressure during high-pollen periods. 🤝 Why the Combination Works • Infrared heat opens your pores and airways improving the absorption and penetration of salt aerosol into the respiratory tract. • Halotherapy clears the respiratory system while infrared therapy promotes detoxification through sweat. • The warmth amplifies halotherapy effectiveness, potentially enhancing therapeutic outcomes. • The combined relaxation response is deeper than either modality alone parasympathetic activation stacked with salt-induced calm. It's one session. One room. One 45-minute window. Two powerful therapies working together.

The Cryo SubZero Difference

• We didn’t build a day spa. We built a performance and longevity centre for people who take their health seriously. • Every modality at Cryo SubZero is selected for clinical credibility, not just aesthetic appeal. • Our infrared sauna isn’t an afterthought it’s a cornerstone of a complete recovery and optimisation protocol, delivered in a premium clinical environment with the flexibility to suit individual needs, couples, or groups. • If you’ve been doing the gym, watching what you eat, and still feeling like your recovery doesn’t match your effort this is the missing layer.

Book Your Session

Infrared Sauna sessions at Cryo SubZero run up to 45 minutes and accommodate up to 4 people. Add Halotherapy to the same session for enhanced respiratory and skin benefits.
Ready to feel what your body is capable of?
Book Online at cryosubzero.com.au