Who Should Not Use a Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna with Red Light Therapy?

Full spectrum infrared saunas with red light therapy have become a popular way to relax, sweat, and support general wellness at home. They’re warm, quiet, and feel pretty great after a long day.

But here’s something that doesn’t get said often enough: these saunas aren’t for everyone.

Just because something is natural, high-tech, or widely loved doesn’t mean it’s a good fit for every body, every condition, or every situation. So before stepping into that warm glow, it’s worth knowing who should avoid using a full spectrum infrared sauna with red light therapy - or at least check with a doctor first.

People With Heart Conditions or Circulatory Issues

Infrared saunas raise your body temperature and increase your heart rate, similar to light cardio. For most healthy adults, that’s fine. For people with heart disease, arrhythmia, low blood pressure, or circulation disorders, it can put extra strain on the cardiovascular system.

If you’ve been diagnosed with:

• Heart disease

• Irregular heartbeat

• History of stroke

• Severe varicose veins or vascular problems

…it’s not a good idea to use an infrared sauna without medical advice first.

The heat causes blood vessels to expand and blood pressure to change. If your heart already works harder than average, this extra load can make you feel dizzy, weak, or worse.

Pregnant Women

Pregnancy and high heat don’t mix well.

Raising core body temperature too much during pregnancy may increase risks, especially in the first trimester. While short warm showers are generally fine, prolonged exposure to sauna-level heat is not recommended during pregnancy, infrared or otherwise.

Even though infrared saunas feel gentler than steam saunas, they still warm the body from the inside out. That’s why most manufacturers and medical professionals advise pregnant women to avoid sauna use completely.

People Who Are Sensitive to Heat or Can’t Feel Heat Properly

SpringSpa Sauna control panel to customize your sauna temp. and time

Some people have conditions that affect how they sense temperature or pain, such as:

• Neuropathy (often related to diabetes)

• Nerve damage

• Certain neurological disorders

If you can’t accurately feel when something is too hot, you may stay in the sauna too long without realizing it. That increases the risk of burns, overheating or dehydration.

If you’ve ever had trouble noticing heat, pain, or skin irritation, a sauna environment may not be safe.

Anyone Under the Influence of Alcohol or Sedatives

Using an infrared sauna while drinking alcohol or taking sedatives is a bad combination.

DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL BEFORE SAUNA SESSION!!!

Both alcohol and sedatives:

• Reduce your awareness

• Slow your reaction time

• Increase dehydration

• Affect blood pressure

Add sauna heat on top of that, and the risk of fainting, overheating, or injury goes way up. This is why sauna manuals always warn against using the sauna after drinking or when taking tranquilizers.

People With Active Illness, Fever, or Inflammation

If you’re currently sick, have a fever, or are dealing with an infection or inflammatory flare-up, your body is already under stress.

A sauna forces your body to regulate heat and fluid balance, which can:

• Worsen dehydration

• Increase fatigue

• Delay recovery

In simple terms: your body needs rest when you’re sick, not more work.

People With Bleeding Disorders or on Blood-Thinning Medication

Heat increases blood flow and can make bleeding easier in some people.

If you have:

• Hemophilia

• A bleeding disorder

• Or take blood thinners regularly

…sauna use may increase bruising or bleeding risks. This doesn’t mean it’s always forbidden, but it’s something that should be discussed with a healthcare professional before trying it.

Children and Teens (Without Proper Supervision)

Children are more sensitive to heat and dehydrate faster than adults. Their bodies also regulate temperature differently.

Leaving a child alone in a sauna is unsafe.

That doesn’t mean kids can never use a sauna, but it does mean:

• Short sessions only

• Lower temperatures

• Constant adult supervision

People With Skin Conditions That Worsen With Heat

Some skin conditions get worse with warmth, sweating, or light exposure, including:

• Severe eczema

• Rosacea

• Certain rashes or infections

• Recent sunburn or UV exposure

Using a sauna in these cases can increase redness, irritation, or slow healing.

Anyone Feeling Unwell, Weak, or Dizzy

This sounds obvious, but it matters.

If you feel dizzy, faint, nauseous, or unusually tired, don’t use the sauna. Heat can amplify those feelings fast.

Your body’s signals matter more than schedules or routines.

So Who Is It For?

A full spectrum infrared sauna with red light therapy is generally designed for:

• Healthy adults

• People seeking relaxation and recovery

• Fitness and wellness routines

• Stress relief

It’s not medical treatment, and it’s not meant to push your body past its limits. It should feel supportive, not challenging.

A Simple Rule of Thumb

If heat, sweating, or increased heart rate are something your doctor has ever told you to avoid — or be careful with — then a sauna falls into that same category.

When in doubt, it’s always better to ask first than regret later.

Your wellness routine should make you feel better, not anxious, sick, or uncomfortable.

And sometimes, the healthiest choice is knowing when to skip the heat and choose rest instead