Red Light Therapy vs Infrared Saunas: Do You Need Both?

At Ember and Ice Wellness, we’re often asked whether it’s better to choose an infrared sauna or red light therapy and whether combining them makes a difference. The truth is, both therapies are powerful, science-backed tools, but they work in very different ways.

What Red Light Therapy Does

Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of light that penetrate the skin and energise your cells. It’s been shown in studies to:

• Boost collagen and elastin for smoother, firmer skin

• Reduce inflammation and joint pain

• Speed up muscle recovery after training

• Support better sleep and mood balance

At Ember and Ice, we supply dedicated red light therapy systems so you can target areas of the body with the correct light intensity and duration.

What Infrared Saunas Do

Infrared saunas heat your body directly using near- and far-infrared wavelengths. Instead of heating the air, they gently raise your core temperature, which can:

• Improve circulation and cardiovascular health

• Reduce soreness and stiffness

• Trigger a deep, relaxing sweat

• Activate heat-shock proteins that support cellular repair

Our infrared sauna range is designed for full-body systemic benefits, perfect for relaxation, recovery, and long-term health.

Should You Combine Them?

Some wellness facilities put red light panels inside infrared saunas. While this sounds appealing, there isn’t strong scientific evidence that using them at the same time gives more benefit than using them separately.

In fact, keeping them separate often makes more sense:

• Infrared saunas work best for 20–30 minutes of whole-body heat exposure.

• Red light therapy is most effective in shorter, focused sessions of 10–20 minutes on targeted areas (skin, joints, or muscles).

By using each therapy independently, you get the full benefit of both without compromise.

The Ember and Ice Approach

We don’t combine red light therapy and infrared saunas into one unit. Instead, we provide specialised equipment for each therapy, ensuring you get the exact benefits the science supports:

• Dedicated infrared saunas for cardiovascular, circulation, and heat stress conditioning.

• Purpose-built red light therapy beds and panels for targeted recovery, skin, and performance.

This way, you can build a personalised wellness routine that fits your goals, whether that’s faster recovery after sport, glowing skin, or simply a deeper sense of relaxation.

The Bottom Line

• Both red light therapy and infrared saunas are safe, effective, and evidence-backed.

• They work differently: one targets your cells, the other your whole body.

• Using them separately is usually the most beneficial approach.

At Ember and Ice Wellness, we’ll guide you to the right solution or combination of solutions for your lifestyle.

Explore our range of Red Light Therapy Beds and Saunas or Contact us today on 0330 633 0526 or WhatsApp on 07309 951 516.