Biohacking Breakdown: Infrared Sauna vs Red Light Therapy

We all want to look and feel amazing, but it's not always a piece of cake. There are days we feel like sloths trying to do a marathon, and nights when sleep eludes us, not forgetting moments when our skin seems as dull as a history class.

But hey, that’s where biohacking swoops in and saves the day. It’s like a secret weapon that helps us reclaim control over our physical and mental well-being.

You know, biohacking isn’t some brand-new fad, people have been exploring how to optimise their bodies and minds for ages.

From ancient practices such as meditation and herbal remedies to modern ones such as wearable health-tracking gadgets, humans have been biohacking even before they named it.

Today, we’ll compare two of the most popular modern biohacking modalities: infrared sauna, and red light therapy. They’re science-backed and have become the darlings of the wellness world.

We'll discuss their benefits, side effects, and how to incorporate them into your life for maximum benefit. So, get ready to learn more about these powerful tools that will help you take charge of your health.

Here are the key takeaways:

• Biohacking is all about taking control of our health and well-being using science, technology, and a bit of self-experimentation.
• Both red light therapy and infrared saunas are dynamic duo technologies that offer a range of health benefits, such as improved energy levels, sleep, and blood circulation.
• Red light therapy requires investment in devices for the eyes, hair, skin, muscles, or full body, while infrared sauna therapy requires investment in a sauna with low electromagnetic radiation (EMR).
• Red light therapy requires daily exposure for about 5–20 minutes, while infrared sauna sessions are typically three times or more per week for about 15–25 minutes.
• Both infrared saunas and red light therapy sessions should be used cautiously. Avoid overusing them and consult a health professional first if you have pre-existing medical conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and light sensitivity.

What Exactly Is Biohacking?

You know how we’ve been taught that our health is something we receive passively from the outside? Well, what if we told you there’s a cool concept called biohacking that flips that notion?

Biohacking is all about taking control of our health and well-being using science, technology, and a bit of self-experimentation. In other words, optimising ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally using awesome tactics.

By introducing changes in our environment and habits, we hack our biological response for improved performance and well-being.

Biohacking includes a variety of tactics such as:

• Detoxification: Eliminating toxins our bodies absorb from food, drinks, and the environment, which leaves us feeling revitalised.
• Stress management: Handling life’s curveballs like a boss through mindful practices such as breathing exercises, stretching, and walking.
• Sleep optimization: Enhancing the quality of our sleep by creating a quiet sleep environment and using wearable devices such as blue light glasses to reduce blue light exposure before bedtime.
• Proper nutrition: Consuming the right nutrients to supercharge our bodies. After all, they say you are what you eat.

Biohacking comes with some cool technology too. Ever heard of ice baths, infrared saunas or red light therapy? They seriously boost our energy levels and overall well-being.

Now, to be real, biohacking isn’t a magical cure for every issue related to wellness, but a way to tweak areas in our lifestyle, resulting in big changes in how we feel physically and mentally.

Biohacking also provides access to information about our bodies on a much deeper level than ever before. This can be accomplished using a body composition analyser to check the total body water, muscle mass, and fat mass in as little as 15 seconds.

With such vital information at hand, we’re able to understand our bodies and how best to maintain them for optimal performance.

Anyone is welcome to be a biohacker. We are parents, entrepreneurs, nurses, people on an athletic recovery journey—basically, anyone who wants a better life and to have fun while at it. So, don’t be intimidated by the seriousness people portray about it.

Through biohacking, we’ve even found ourselves enjoying activities that were previously unimaginable, all due to the new energy and vibrancy levels.

The Basics: Introduction to Infrared Saunas and Red Light Therapy

Infrared saunas and red light therapy are two different yet popular wellness practices that use light to promote health.

The cool thing is, both are non-invasive approaches that appeal to individuals seeking alternative or complementary treatments to support their well-being.

Let’s dive into the basics of each and see what they have to offer.

A Closer Look At Infrared Saunas

Let’s talk about infrared saunas. They're one of the coolest biohacking treatments that give a seriously relaxing and detoxifying experience.

So, what’s the deal with them? Unlike a traditional sauna that uses heated stones to provide heat, an infrared sauna uses near, mid, and far infrared technology to gently heat your body, and as you bask in that blissful warmth, your body feels refreshed.

But it’s not just about relaxation, infrared saunas also have health perks. By using them regularly (2–3 times a week), you’ll improve circulation, reduce stress levels, and promote overall health.

Additionally, no special training is required to use this innovative heat chamber. You only need to plug it in and wait for 15–20 minutes until it warms to about 45–65°C, then step into the infrared sanctuary you’ve just created.

Friendly Reminder: Prioritise safety when using an infrared sauna by following the manufacturer or therapist’s advice. We want you to experience the full benefits of this therapy.

Now, let’s talk about the perks. Regularly partaking in infrared sauna sessions often leads to:

• Relief from chronic fatigue
• Improved skin texture
• Lowering blood pressure

There’s more to the physical benefits—you get a special feeling of being connected with others who share this same passion. It creates a powerful sense of community, like you’ve found your tribe.

Overall, embracing the culture around infrared sauna therapy provides biohackers with numerous advantages that extend beyond just physical health, making it an ideal option for mental and physical rejuvenation.

From improving our overall wellness to creating meaningful connections within a supportive community, there's no denying that infrared saunas are worth our time.

Understanding Red Light Therapy

It’s time to shed some light on red light therapy (RLT). This form of therapy is also known as Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT), meaning that it uses red and near-infrared light to promote cellular regeneration and improve your overall health.

Think of this process in the same way plants convert light energy into chemical energy during the process of photosynthesis.

Here’s how this therapy works: Light wavelengths of about 625–850 nanometers are delivered to a targeted area of the body. They penetrate the skin and are absorbed by the cells’ mini-factory, known as the mitochondria.

The light’s energy then triggers biochemical reactions that charge up the cells to function at a higher level. They start repairing themselves and reduce inflammation in your body.

Red light therapy has become popular due to its positive impact on our body's natural healing process, with minimal effects.

You may wonder if this therapy is uncomfortable. Sure, there may be minor discomfort from the heat, but it’s nothing to make you run for the hills. The benefits outweigh the slight discomfort.

The ins and outs of how red light therapy works are still being studied, but the evidence is still there, and by incorporating red light sessions into our lifestyle, we’ve witnessed significant physical improvements as well as mental clarity.

As biohackers, we’ve found red light therapy useful for a bunch of things:

• Promoting collagen production
• Reducing inflammation
• Aiding in healing wounds 
• Improving hair growth
• Improving sleep quality

So, if you're looking for a safe way to take care of yourself holistically, try out this revolutionary new technology.

To get this red light action going on for you, you can administer it using LED devices—similar to your everyday light bulbs—or you can use a full-body light bed.

The device you select depends on what part of your body you’re looking to improve. Therefore, you can choose from a range of red light therapy devices for the eyes, skin, and hair loss. Additionally, you can use a specific red light to improve sleep or relieve pain.

Expert Tip: Red light therapy sessions take about 10–20 minutes. For optimum results, aim for at least two sessions per week.

How Infrared Saunas and Red Light Therapy Can Benefit You

Infrared saunas and red light therapy offer a host of benefits to your body and mind, making them a fantastic addition to your wellness routine.

Incorporating these light-based therapies not only rejuvenates you physically, but they also promote relaxation and mental clarity.

The Amazing Benefits of Infrared Saunas

With infrared saunas, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for detoxing.

You get the best of both worlds—deep-penetrating infrared waves for detoxification, and a chance to kick back and relax.

This combo is a fantastic way to increase your energy levels, supporting you on your journey toward better health.

The benefits of infrared sauna are numerous:

• The heat generated by infrared waves gets your blood vessels all warmed up and enlarged, allowing increased blood circulation, which helps to relieve those stiff joints and sore muscles.
• It encourages sweat production by increasing your body’s core temperature, which flushes out toxins that weaken your body’s defence mechanism.
• The soothing heat has a relaxing effect that improves mental clarity to help you focus on your activities.
• It’s a great way to achieve firm, wrinkle-free skin. When infrared light in the sauna penetrates the skin, it stimulates fibroblast skin cells to produce collagen, which is responsible for youthful skin.
• Though not a magic bullet for weight loss, studies show that it can aid in weight loss by eliminating extra water from your body through sweating.
• The relaxation induced by the heat improves sleep quality, so you can say goodbye to tossing and turning at night, and hello to sleeping like a baby.

An infrared sauna gives you all these therapeutic benefits in a non-invasive way, meaning that no harsh chemicals like hydroquinone or invasive procedures such as dermal filling are used.

Go on, spend time pampering yourself with this unique therapy and reap the amazing health benefits it has to offer, from improved circulation and immunity to reduced fatigue and improved skin tone.

Unveiling the Benefits of Red Light Therapy

Our bodies weaken daily, whether it’s due to spending too much time indoors and lacking sunlight, or being glued to our devices, which emit blue light.

It’s important to safeguard our bodies from these negative stressors.

You can experience the power of improved health and well-being with red light therapy, a natural, non-invasive way to promote healing and rejuvenation.

Red light therapy has been shown to have numerous benefits that can help improve the overall quality of your life, not just physically, but mentally as well.

 Some of these benefits include:

• Improved sleep: If you’re unable to catch a wink on most nights and counting sheep isn’t helping, red light therapy can help regulate your body clock, making it easier for you to fall asleep at night.
• Mental clarity: The increased oxygen flow from red light therapy helps boost cognitive function, improving focus and concentration while reducing stress levels.
• Reduced inflammation: Inflammation is linked to many chronic diseases like arthritis or diabetes, but red light therapy helps reduce inflammation in the body by stimulating circulation and increasing blood flow.
• Boosted metabolism: Research suggests that red light therapy may increase metabolism, which could lead to a small amount of weight loss over time.
• Increased energy: Red light therapy has been shown to boost energy levels by stimulating cellular activity in the mitochondria, giving you more pep in your step throughout the day.

Just like infrared saunas, red light therapy is safe, painless, and best of all, no harsh products like chemical peels or invasive procedures such as Botox injections are used.

Plus, it's easy on the wallet compared to other treatments such as Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), making it an affordable way to take control of your health.

If you’re looking for a natural remedy that’s effective and easily accessible, try red light therapy. Whether you want to use it as an alternative or as a complementary to other wellness practices, you’ll reap the benefits.

So, why not give it a try? You’ll find yourself feeling more energised than ever before. The great thing about our community of biohackers is that we don’t just do it for ourselves, we do it for others, because once you take care of yourself, you can take care of others.

Are There Side Effects of Using Infrared Saunas and Red Light Therapy?

Both infrared saunas and red light therapy have minimal effects on most people. However, take precautions, such as avoiding overusing them to prevent health complications.

Let’s first look at the possible minor reactions of using infrared saunas.

Side Effects of Infrared Saunas

Although infrared saunas are generally safe to use, there are some potential minor side effects that you should be aware of before taking the plunge.

One common issue is heat sensitivity. If your skin is sensitive even to mild heat, you can experience dizziness or nausea during your first few sessions.

Therefore, it’s important to listen to your body, and the best way is to start out with shorter sessions of not more than 15 minutes until your body adapts to the heat and moisture in the sauna.

Now, you may not be sensitive to heat but if you increase the temperature (more than 65°C), you’ll be harming yourself. Although infrared saunas improve the immune system, high temperatures kill helpful bacteria in the gut microbiome, eventually weakening your immunity.

Another potential side effect of an infrared sauna session comes from misuse. Infrared saunas are helpful in detoxifying our bodies by increasing sweat production. However, it's important not to overdo it as this could lead to health problems such as dehydration.

So, when using an infrared sauna, make sure you always stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water both before and after each session. This keeps your body balanced and reduces any negative side effects.

Please note: Staying longer in the sauna doesn’t guarantee faster or better results. Your body will respond better with shorter, frequent sessions.

Side Effects of Red Light Therapy

As we’ve discussed, red light therapy has numerous benefits on our health, ranging from stress relief and energy boosts, to improved sleep and collagen production.

However, there are a few things we wish to mention about red light therapy:

• For some individuals, it can cause eye discomfort after long exposure.
• In rare cases, skin irritation may occur due to a photosensitivity reaction.
• There’s a risk of developing sunburn-like symptoms if done too frequently.
• Results depend on factors such as existing health conditions and skin type.

At the end of the day, red light therapy offers many incredible benefits and is a great addition to your biohacking routine. Just make sure you're taking necessary precautions such as wearing protective eyewear.

How To Seamlessly Add An Infrared Sauna or Red Light Therapy Into Your Lifestyle

Integrating an infrared sauna or red light therapy into your life is pretty easy. The most important things are finding the right sauna or red light device, and secluding a space in your home for your therapy sessions.

Let’s see how to put this theory into practice.

Incorporating An Infrared Sauna

Start by searching a sauna with a low electromagnetic field (EMF). This is important to avoid the risk of cancer, cellular damage, and neurological disorders.

Health Mate Infrared Saunas produce ultra-low EMF of 1 mg, which is way lower than the recommended 3 mg.

"...regular sauna use can have a profound and powerful impact on your health, your well-being and your life span... I decided to get an infrared sauna... my favourite is Health Mate Sauna." — Tony Robbins - Life Force

Then, consider if you want a one-person, two-person, or three-person sauna. In this case, your lifestyle and the available space in your house will be the determining factors.

Here are more tips to help you prepare to incorporate an infrared sauna into your home:

• Check with your doctor to confirm if any medical condition you have or medication you’re taking would prevent you from using the sauna.
• Set a schedule as to how often you'll do it. Having a routine will help you incorporate it into your lifestyle more effectively. It will also help your body adjust adequately to the therapy, and to keep track of any issues arising.
• Start slowly by beginning with shorter sessions and low-heat settings then gradually increase the time and heat as your body adapts.
• Create a relaxing atmosphere by using aromatherapy diffusers, playing soft music, and using neutral colours.
• Take it a notch higher and combine your infrared sessions with other wellness practices, such as yoga, self-massage, or deep breathing for overall well-being.
• Practice safety by setting a timer for your sessions to avoid overstaying, which could lead to dehydration. Also, make it a habit to drink water before and after your sauna sessions.

Remember that an infrared sauna is just one aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, maintain the other practices to reap maximum benefits.

"My son bought this infrared sauna for me, and I loved it. It is the right size for one person. If you want to have more space or share it with someone, I would buy the one for two people." — Claire, Verified Buyer

Incorporating Red Light Therapy

Incorporating red light therapy into your life isn’t complicated or expensive. There are affordable devices you can use from the comfort of your home with minimal fuss.

The first thing to consider is what you want to achieve with red light therapy. Is it for full-body exposure or targeted treatment? There are different red therapy lights for each of your needs.

If you’re unsure whether it’s safe to use red light therapy due to certain health conditions, consult with a healthcare professional first. Such conditions include extreme photosensitivity, cancer, brain tumour, or blood, heart, and immunity disorders.

Just like with your morning coffee, create a routine—whether in the morning to feel energised or in the evening to wind down. Consistency helps to create a disciplined routine.

While using a red light, be sure to protect your eyes by closing them or wearing protective goggles if they’re sensitive to light.

Lastly, listen to your body. If you experience discomfort, reduce the duration or intensity of sessions.

When you mindfully incorporate red light therapy into your lifestyle, you’ll harness the benefits and make your journey towards improved well-being more successful.

Comparing Infrared Sauna and Red Light Therapy

We've already discussed the incredible benefits of using infrared saunas and red light therapy to improve energy levels, mood and overall health.

Let's now take a look at how these two treatments compare in terms of cost comparison, safety risks, effectiveness levels and lifestyle adjustments.

1 - Associated Costs

Red light therapy typically requires an initial investment in purchasing a device that can range from £95–£1,500. Meanwhile, infrared saunas can cost anywhere between £3,795 and £5,995, depending on the size and features included.

2 - Safety Considerations

Both modalities are generally considered safe when used correctly by healthy individuals but if you have certain medical conditions, consult your doctor before using them to avoid the risk of contraindications.

3 - Effectiveness Level

Red light therapy has been scientifically proven to help reduce inflammation, improve circulation and skin tone while promoting cell growth and regeneration. Additionally, it assists with weight loss to an extent, due to its effects on metabolism.

Infrared saunas also offer many similar benefits, such as improved circulation, relief from pain and stiffness as well as detoxification through sweating out toxins from the body.

4 - Lifestyle Adjustments

Incorporating an infrared sauna or red light therapy into your daily routine requires minimal effort. Just 10–15 minutes each day of red light exposure or 3–5 infrared sauna sessions per week is enough to feel the positive effects on their energy and overall well-being.

In summary, both modalities offer many amazing health benefits when used correctly. So why not give one or both a try?

Take some time to research which option would work best for you given your individual needs then make an informed decision regarding which treatment will better fit into your lifestyle.

The table below provides a summary of safety and precautions for Infrared Sauna and Red Light Therapy to help you make informed decisions about your biohacking journey.

	Infrared Sauna	Red Light Therapy
Recommended Session Time	15–30 minutes	5–20 minutes
Heat Exposure	High heat levels; stay hydrated	No direct heat exposure; eye protection may be needed
Precautions	Hydration is crucial; avoid alcohol consumption	Avoid looking directly into the light source
Suitable for	Generally safe for most individuals	Suitable for most people, but consult doctor if unsure

Simplify Your Biohacking Journey With The Peak Athletics

We've compared infrared saunas and red light therapy, two popular biohacking modalities that have a positive impact on our overall well-being.

We've discussed the benefits of each and how we incorporate them into our lifestyle and how you can do that too.

Which one do we think is the best? Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether one or both are best for you.

Both modalities have amazing benefits. It’s like choosing between two delightful ice cream flavours, because no matter which you choose, you’re in for a treat.

With careful consideration and research, you can incorporate an infrared sauna and red light therapy devices into your wellness routine safely and effectively.

The problem is that with too much information out there, it’s like wandering in a maze. How are you supposed to know which products will work for you?

Our mission is to research and select the best products so you don’t waste time digging through confusing information. Your biohacking journey should be as smooth as can be.

At The Peak Athletics, we bring the best biohacking products to your house and want you to be thrilled with your purchase.

If for whatever reason you don’t like our products, call us at 08081 685099 or email us at sales@thepeakathletics.co.uk. We’ll make it right.

"…I also wanted to take the time to mention the exceptional customer service from The Peak Athletics. I sent them a couple of emails asking them a few things before buying the product. To be honest, I wasn't even expecting them to reply. Well, they handled every question incredibly well, and provided me with information but not in a salesy style. They genuinely tried to help me understand the product better and whether it was the right product for me. So thank you." — Danny, Verified Buyer