What Does a Sauna Blanket Do?

Saunas provide plenty of benefits to our bodies. Not only do they help in flushing out toxins but also in relieving pain and strengthening the tissue. They also offer immense relaxation, which helps our muscles recover quickly after a tedious activity.
Now, if you are in the market for a sauna, chances are you’ve come across a sauna blanket and probably wondered, “What does a sauna blanket do?” Well, stick around and we will find out together.

Sauna Blanket at a Glance

Sauna is a heated environment, usually a room heated to between 150ᵒF and 195ᵒF. A sauna blanket provides a similar environment, with temperatures ranging from 80ᵒF to 160ᵒF. It is wrapped over the body to induce sweating, thus helping to eliminate toxins and breaking down fatty tissue.

Sauna blankets use infrared radiation to heat your body. A type of invisible radiation known as far infrared is used which is part of the visible light spectrum.

A sauna blanket may be recommended by a health practitioner or a gym trainer, but it can also be used as a normal relaxation option. A pregnant mother or anyone who suffers from a skin disorder may use a sauna blanket too but only if advised by a doctor.

What Does a Sauna Blanket Do for Your Body?

A Sauna blanket has numerous benefits to our bodies, which we outline below:

Weight loss: A sauna blanket will help flush unwanted chemicals out of your body and break up fatty tissue deposits, thus supporting the liver which is the major detoxifying organ in our bodies. It’s an alternative to dieting to reduce weight, though it works better to control the cellulite under the skin.

Detoxification: Sweating helps our bodies detox naturally because sweat mainly comprises excess water, salt, proteins, urea, and carbohydrates. However, the belief that sweat can relieve the body of all toxins is a myth.

Better immune system: A regular sauna blanket use ensures that cells are continually renewed, which keeps you strong and healthy.

Pain-relieving effect: Sometimes pain may be so intense that it makes your workout sessions unbearable. A sauna blanket may provide pain relief especially when the user is elderly or suffering from a condition that makes muscle movement difficult.

Keeping you warm: In very cold areas, the use of a sauna blanket ensures you keep warm, while your body gets rid of excess water.

Better sleep: Some people may find it difficult to fall asleep due to muscle pain and tension. Using a sauna blanket may help ease the pain allowing the user to sleep peacefully overnight.

Glowing skin: Regular use of a sauna blanket smoothens the skin because the pores are open to release excess waste from the body

Mood enhancement: A better mood is usually achieved after using a sauna blanket for some time. Sweating releases excess water from the body, regulates the overall circulation system, and elevates one’s mood.

An infrared sauna blanket can also be used as a therapy for the following conditions:

• Sport-related injuries and pains
• Arthritis
• Joint stiffness
• Chronic muscle and joint pains
• Menstrual cramps
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Muscle spasms
• Hemorrhoids
• Calf or knee injury
• Chronic fatigue
• Tendonitis

For more information on the benefits of using a Sauna blanket, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xw01B-lvLw

Should You Wear Clothes When Using a Sauna Blanket?

Clothing may be worn when inside a sauna blanket. But these should be light clothes that one does not mind if they get wet. Such clothing should preferably be cotton or light wool, as these absorb sweat better.

As one sweats more, it may be noted that heart rate may increase due to the superheated environment. If you are alone in privacy, you can go into the blanket nude. However, to allow as much sweat as possible, oiling of the skin before the session should be avoided since oil would block the spores.

The following items should be avoided in the sauna blanket:

• Heavy towels
• Shoes
• Heavy headwear such as a woolen headscarf
• Thick swimsuit
• Make-up
• Dirty clothing
• Materials made of polythene

Things to Do Before Using a Sauna Blanket

To get the most out of your sauna blanket, do the following:

• Avoid drinking coffee or alcohol before using a sauna blanket because these may cause dehydration.
• Take a shower just before using the blanket because it aids in opening up pores, which helps accelerate sweating.
• Take at least a liter of water, as this makes sweating possible.
• Remove all forms of make-up including jewelry.
• Keep all electronic gadgets away to avoid disruptions.

Risks of Using Sauna blankets?

While sauna blankets have been found to have plenty of benefits, it is advisable that you consult with your doctor if you have any of the health conditions discussed below:

• People who are prone to low blood pressure should consult a doctor before using a sauna blanket, as overheating the body may have adverse effects.
• Those with a history of kidney disease should avoid the use of a sauna blanket; the increased sweating and loss of body salts may alter the functioning of the kidneys.
• If your immune system is weak, consider asking your doctor to suggest an alternative to a sauna blanket.
• Those with heart disorders should talk to the doctor before using this product. This is because increased heart rate may be risky to the user.

Why a Sauna blanket May Be a Better Option Than the Traditional Sauna

Compact size: A sauna blanket typically measures 70 by 70 inches, so it can fit anywhere inside your house, as it requires limited floor space.

Light and portable: The blanket is very light and hence very portable. A single one may weigh just 13 pounds, so it can easily be moved from one point to another

Price: Well, one may consider getting a sauna blanket either for use at home or as a commercial product for the style and fashion industry, which is picking up in many parts of the world. Banket saunas are cost-effective. Where the traditional sauna will cost up to $10, 000 to install, a sauna blanket will cost only around $600.

Easy to use: A sauna blanket is a plug-and-play device. All you need is a source of electric power and you’re good to go.
Watch how to use a blanket sauna here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWvVE9JTNgo

Rapid pain relief: Using an infra-red sauna blanket may relieve pain in certain areas of your body like the back and joints. The infra-red heat boosts heart rate and blood flow. Joint pain is almost always a result of poor blood circulation.

Back pain is a common ailment that affects many people of varied ages. It can be a nuisance, as sometimes it can be too severe that it causes people to spend sleepless nights. While the pain may be eased by massage, medication, hot and cold therapy, or posture while sleeping, an infrared sauna blanket may help relieve it.

These blankets are well known to reduce lower back pain. The infrared radiation penetrates under the skin of the lower back, helping lessen pain. Here is why you should invest in an infrared sauna if you suffer from chronic back pain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL8rG17SLaE

Things You Should Know Before Buying a Sauna Blanket

If you are buying a sauna blanket for the first time, here is what you should know:

Sauna blankets are a great investment: Since the blankets help in better blood circulation, they are certainly good for many people who are looking for relaxation or who are in a detox program. They are especially essential after a workout.

You can use a sauna blanket as often as you like: People have different frequencies of using a Sauna blanket, but the best way is to start with a low frequency then increase with time.

A sauna blanket will not cause much weight loss: Contrary to what many people think, a sauna blanket will not help you shed as much weight as exercising. What happens is that with increased sweating, there is a feeling of ‘weight loss’, which is temporary because if you do not take water afterward, you may become dehydrated. If you are looking to lose weight, then you must combine the sauna with your daily workout routine.

You should wear clothes inside the blanket: When using a sauna blanket, direct contact with it may lead to discomfort due to intense heat from the blanket. Light clothes may help absorb sweat while inside the blanket.

The Takeaway

Sauna blankets do a lot for our bodies including muscle relaxation, tissue strengthening, pain relief, and improved immune system. It is advisable, however, to note that sauna blankets should not completely replace other methods of pain relief or act as an alternative to seeing the doctor concerning joint and muscle pains.

Further, some people may not be comfortable using intense heat, as they could be sensitive to extremely high temperatures. Others may develop reactions and side effects to high temperatures. Find out from your doctor if a sauna blanket is good for you before investing in one.