Are Infrared Saunas Safe? An Engineer’s Honest Answer After 3,000 Custom Builds

I’m asked this question almost daily: Are infrared saunas safe?

It’s a smart question to ask before investing $ 10,000 or more in a custom infrared sauna for your home. After eleven years of designing and building saunas—and installing more than 3,000 custom units from our California workshop—I’ve learned that the answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no.” It depends entirely on how the sauna is engineered, the materials used, and whether the manufacturer understands thermodynamics and electromagnetic safety.

Here’s what I’ve learned after a decade of obsessing over this question: when infrared saunas are built correctly, they’re not just safe—they’re therapeutic. When they’re constructed cheaply by companies that prioritize profit over engineering, they can expose you to unnecessarily high EMF levels, off-gassing toxics, and inconsistent heat that doesn’t deliver tangible benefits.

In this article, I’m going to walk you through everything I’ve learned about infrared sauna safety. Not the marketing fluff you’ll find on most sauna websites, but the actual engineering considerations that matter. We’ll cover electromagnetic field exposure, heat safety protocols, wood treatment concerns, the integration of red light therapy, and the medical conditions that require extra caution.

By the end, you’ll know exactly what to look for in a safe infrared sauna—and what red flags to avoid.

The Short Answer: Yes, But Only If Built Right

Let me start with the conclusion: infrared saunas are safe when manufactured with proper EMF shielding, medical-grade components, and non-toxic materials. The problem is that most manufacturers cut corners in ways that aren’t immediately obvious to buyers.

I started SaunaCloud in 2014 after getting frustrated with “luxury” saunas that looked beautiful but had EMF readings that made my testing equipment scream. I watched too many families spend $15,000 on cabins that off-gassed formaldehyde or used power supplies that would fail within three years. That’s when my business partner (a mechanical engineer with a medical device background) and I decided to engineer something better.

Over the past decade, we’ve learned that safety in infrared saunas comes down to five critical areas:

1. Electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure – Most manufacturers ignore this entirely
2. Heat regulation and core temperature management – Critical for cardiovascular safety
3. Material selection and off-gassing – Cheap wood treatments release toxins when heated
4. Electrical system design – Where most failures (and potential hazards) originate
5. Red light therapy integration – When done wrong, it’s ineffective; when done right, it amplifies benefits

Let’s break down each area so you understand what actually matters.

Understanding What Makes Infrared Different (And Safer)

Before we dive into safety protocols, it’s essential to understand why infrared saunas work differently from traditional Finnish saunas or steam rooms.

Traditional saunas heat the air around you to 180-220°F using rocks, wood-burning stoves, or electric heaters, such as Harvia units. Your body responds by sweating to cool itself down. It works, but it’s an indirect process that requires extremely high air temperatures and can be uncomfortable for many people (especially those with respiratory conditions or heat sensitivity).

Infrared saunas work differently. They use radiant heat that penetrates your skin directly—similar to how the sun warms you on a fabulous day. The air temperature stays much lower (typically 120-150°F), while your core body temperature rises efficiently. This means you get the cardiovascular and detoxification benefits without feeling like you’re suffocating in superheated air.

From a safety perspective, this lower ambient temperature is one of infrared’s most significant advantages. You’re far less likely to experience heat exhaustion, dehydration, or respiratory discomfort. The heat is gentler on your cardiovascular system while still delivering therapeutic results.

But—and this is crucial—the technology that makes infrared possible also introduces new safety considerations that traditional saunas don’t have. Specifically: electromagnetic field exposure from the heating elements and power systems.

This is where most manufacturers fail.

The EMF Question: Why Most Saunas Get This Wrong

When people ask, “Are infrared saunas safe?” they’re usually concerned about EMF exposure. And they should be. This is the most critical safety consideration in infrared sauna design—and it’s where I see the most significant gaps between marketing claims and actual performance.

Let me explain how this works.

Every infrared heater creates an electromagnetic field when electricity flows through it. This is fundamental physics—you can’t avoid it. The question is: how strong is that field, and does it exceed safety thresholds set by organizations like the World Health Organization?

The WHO recommends limiting EMF exposure to 3 milligauss (mG) or less for extended periods. Many “low EMF” saunas on the market test at 5-60 mG at seated distance. Some cheap models from Amazon exceed 100 mG. That’s not just concerning—it’s irresponsible.

At SaunaCloud, we engineer our VantaWave® heaters to emit less than 0.5 mG where you’re sitting. We achieve this through three methods:

1. Graphite-ceramic composite design – Distributes current more evenly than pure carbon panels
2. Shielded wiring throughout the system – All electrical runs are grounded and enclosed
3. Strategic heater placement – Panels are positioned to maximize radiant heat while minimizing field concentration

But here’s what most companies won’t tell you: EMF is only half the story. You also need to measure extremely low-frequency (ELF) fields, which many manufacturers often overlook.

ELF exposure comes from the power supply and control electronics. Poor-quality power systems can emit ELF fields exceeding 20,000 millivolts, which is twenty times the WHO threshold of concern. This is why we design and manufacture our own power supplies in California, rather than purchasing generic components from overseas.

When we test our saunas, we measure both EMF and ELF throughout the cabin. Not just at one location, but at every seated position with a person actually inside (bodies conduct electricity differently than air). This comprehensive testing is expensive and time-consuming, which is why most companies skip it.

For more technical details on how different heater types compare, you can read our complete infrared sauna heater comparison.

Heat Safety: Understanding Core Temperature vs. Air Temperature

The second primary safety consideration is heat management. Infrared saunas work by raising your core body temperature, which triggers beneficial physiological responses: increased circulation, heat shock protein activation, cardiovascular conditioning, and enhanced detoxification through sweat.

But there’s a safe range for core temperature elevation, and it’s narrower than most people realize.

A typical resting core body temperature is 37 °C (98.6°F). During an infrared sauna session, you want to raise this by about 2-3 degrees, to roughly 101°F. This is enough to trigger therapeutic benefits without overstressing your cardiovascular system. Operating beyond 103-104°F enters potentially hazardous territory, especially during extended sessions.

The challenge is that core temperature elevation depends on multiple factors:

• Heater output and placement
• Session duration
• Your body’s heat adaptation level
• Hydration status
• Cardiovascular fitness

This is why properly engineered saunas use multiple heater zones that you can control independently. Our VantaWave systems allow you to adjust lower body heat separately from upper body heat, enabling you to personalize the experience according to your tolerance and goals.

It’s also why we recommend starting with shorter sessions (20-25 minutes) at lower temperatures (around 130°F), then gradually building tolerance over 2-3 weeks. Your cardiovascular system needs time to adapt to heat stress.

Some red flags to watch for:

• Saunas that recommend “sweat harder, faster” approaches
• Marketing that encourages 60-90 minute sessions from day one
• No guidance on hydration protocols
• Claims that “hotter is always better”

These approaches ignore individual physiology and can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or cardiovascular stress—especially for users with underlying heart conditions.

For more information on optimal usage patterns, refer to our guide on how frequently you should use your infrared sauna.

Material Safety: Why Wood Treatment Matters More Than You Think

Here’s something most buyers don’t consider: what happens when you heat wood to 150°F for 30 minutes at a time?

If that wood was treated with conventional stains, varnishes, or adhesives containing formaldehyde or VOCs (volatile organic compounds), those chemicals begin off-gassing directly into the air you’re breathing. In an enclosed sauna cabin, you’re creating a concentration chamber for whatever was used to treat or assemble the wood.

This is why we exclusively use clear-grade Western Red Cedar from Canada, with no chemical treatments whatsoever. Cedar naturally contains antimicrobial oils that resist bacteria, mold, and warping, eliminating the need for stains or preservatives. It’s one of the few woods that can handle repeated heating cycles without breaking down or releasing harmful compounds.

We also avoid plywood and engineered wood products, which are often bonded with formaldehyde-based glues. These adhesives break down under heat and release formaldehyde gas—a known carcinogen. It’s more cost-effective to use plywood for structural components, which is why many manufacturers do so. But it defeats the entire purpose of using a sauna for detoxification if you’re simultaneously breathing in toxic chemicals.

The same logic applies to metal components. We use stainless steel fasteners rather than zinc-coated or painted hardware, which can release metallic vapors when heated. Every element inside the cabin is selected to be thermally stable and non-toxic at sauna operating temperatures.

If you’re researching saunas, always ask:

• What type of wood is used? (Solid cedar is ideal)
• Are there any chemical treatments, stains, or varnishes? (Answer should be no)
• What type of glue is used in assembly? (Should be non-toxic, low-VOC)
• Are the metal components stainless or painted? (Stainless only)

Companies that understand material science will answer these questions transparently. Companies that don’t will give vague responses or change the subject.

For more information on wood safety concerns, please refer to our article on whether cedar wood is safe for use in infrared saunas.

Red Light Therapy Integration: The Safety Factor Nobody Discusses

One of the most significant recent developments in infrared sauna technology is the integration of red light therapy (also called photobiomodulation). This combination of 660nm red light and 850nm near-infrared wavelengths stimulates cellular repair, collagen synthesis, and mitochondrial function.

When done correctly, this integration is safe and powerfully synergistic with far-infrared heat. The problem is that most manufacturers implement it incorrectly—in ways that are either ineffective or potentially concerning.

The key issue is the distance from the skin.

Red and near-infrared light follows the inverse square law: intensity decreases dramatically with distance. For therapeutic effect, the LEDs should be positioned within 3-6 inches of your skin. Most sauna companies mount red light panels on the back wall, which puts them 18-24 inches away from your body when seated. At that distance, you’re receiving 10-15% of the intended therapeutic dosage.

This isn’t just ineffective—it’s wasteful and potentially misleading. You’re not getting what you paid for.

At SaunaCloud, we embed red light arrays directly into the bench and backrest, positioning them 2-4 inches from your skin. This requires custom PCB design and thermal management (LEDs generate heat, which compounds with infrared heat), but it’s the only way to deliver clinically relevant dosages.

From a safety perspective, proper red light therapy is extremely well-studied and considered safe at appropriate dosages. However, there are two concerns to be aware of:

1. Eye exposure – Red and near-infrared light at close range can be uncomfortable for the eyes. We recommend closing your eyes or using protective eyewear during red light sessions.
2. Heat accumulation – Red LEDs add additional heat load. Poorly designed systems can cause hot spots or uncomfortable surface temperatures on benches. Our system includes thermal monitoring to prevent this.

For a complete breakdown of how red light therapy works in saunas and what to look for, read our comprehensive guide on red light infrared saunas.

Who Should Be Cautious: Medical Considerations

While infrared saunas are generally safe for most people, there are specific medical conditions that require extra caution or physician consultation before use:

Cardiovascular Conditions:

• Heart disease or recent heart attack
• Unstable angina
• Severe artery disease
• Recent cardiac surgery

Infrared saunas increase heart rate and cardiovascular demand similar to moderate exercise. If you have any heart condition, consult your cardiologist before beginning sauna therapy. Many doctors actually recommend infrared saunas for heart health—but only under medical supervision and with appropriate protocol adjustments.

Pregnancy: Pregnant women should avoid raising core body temperature above 102°F, especially during the first trimester. While there’s limited research specifically on infrared saunas during pregnancy, the general medical consensus is to avoid heat therapy until after delivery.

Medications: Certain medications affect heat regulation or cardiovascular response:

• Blood pressure medications
• Diuretics
• Antihistamines
• Beta-blockers
• Some antidepressants

If you take any prescription medications, discuss sauna use with your physician. You may need to adjust dosages, timing, or session duration based on how your medication interacts with heat stress.

For more detailed information on sauna safety with medications, see our article on using an infrared sauna while on medication.

Other Conditions Requiring Caution:

• Multiple sclerosis (heat can worsen symptoms temporarily)
• Hemophilia (increased bleeding risk with elevated body temperature)
• Fever or acute infection (already elevated core temperature)
• Severe diabetes (heat affects insulin sensitivity)

When in doubt, consult your healthcare provider for guidance. Most physicians familiar with infrared therapy are supportive when patients use appropriate protocols and start gradually.

Electrical Safety: The Hidden Risk Nobody Talks About

Here’s something that keeps me up at night: electrical fires and failures in home saunas.

Most sauna manufacturers use generic power supplies imported from overseas. These components are often the cheapest available, with minimal safety testing and questionable quality control. When they fail (and they will), the best-case scenario is that your sauna stops working. The worst-case scenario is an electrical fire in your home.

This is why we design and manufacture our own power supplies, printed circuit boards, and control systems right here in California. Every component is:

• NEC (National Electrical Code) compliant
• UL-certified where applicable
• Tested for thermal stability and fault tolerance
• Designed with multiple safety shutoffs

Our systems include:

• Thermal cutoffs – Automatic shutdown if any component exceeds safe temperature
• Ground fault protection – Detects electrical leaks and cuts power
• Overvoltage protection – Prevents damage from power surges
• Current limiting – Stops excessive draw that could trip breakers or overheat wiring

We also provide detailed electrical specifications and installation drawings for licensed electricians. Every SaunaCloud sauna is designed to be installed safely and inspected easily by local code enforcement.

This is boring stuff. It’s not sexy marketing. But it’s the difference between a sauna that works safely for 15+ years and one that becomes a hazard after 3 years.

If you’re researching infrared saunas, ask manufacturers:

• Where are your power supplies designed and manufactured?
• What safety certifications do your electrical components carry?
• What happens if the control system fails? Is there a backup shutoff?
• Please provide the electrical drawings for my electrician to review.

Companies that engineer their own electronics will answer these questions confidently. Companies that import generic components will struggle to compete.

How We Build Safety Into Every SaunaCloud Sauna

After building 3,000+ custom saunas, we’ve developed a safety-first approach that guides every decision:

1. Ultra-Low EMF/ELF Engineering Every VantaWave® heater is independently tested to confirm less than 0.5 mG EMF and sub-200 mV ELF readings at seated positions. We don’t just test one unit—we test every production run.

2. The California Manufacturing Building in California isn’t cheaper. However, it means we control quality at every step and can guarantee the sourcing of materials: no mystery adhesives, no treated wood, no surprise toxins.

3. Medical-Grade Components We use the same quality standards for power supplies and controls that medical device manufacturers follow. These components cost 3-5x more than generic alternatives, but they don’t fail.

4. Lifetime Warranty on Heaters We can offer a 7-year warranty on VantaWave® heaters because we’ve engineered them to last 20+ years. In eleven years and 3,000 installations, we’ve had zero heater failures. Zero.

5. Transparent Documentation Every sauna includes complete electrical specs, installation drawings, material safety data sheets, and direct access to our engineering team if your electrician has questions.

6. Personal Founder Support: Every client gets my direct phone number. If something doesn’t work right, call me. I review every design personally before it goes into production.

This approach costs more. It takes longer. However, when you’re building something that families will use for 15-20 years in their homes, safety is non-negotiable.

For more on what makes our approach different, visit our custom infrared sauna page.

The Bottom Line: Are Infrared Saunas Safe?

So, to answer the original question: yes, infrared saunas are safe—when they’re engineered correctly.

But “engineered correctly” is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence. The difference between a safe sauna and a questionable one comes down to:

• EMF/ELF levels (should be near zero)
• Material selection (solid cedar, no treatments)
• Electrical system design (medical-grade components)
• Heat regulation (multiple zones, gradual adaptation)
• Red light positioning (close to skin, thermally managed)

After 3,000 custom builds, I can tell you that the manufacturers who get this right are in the minority. Most prioritize aesthetics and price over engineering. They use the cheapest heaters, generic power supplies, treated wood, and hope nothing goes wrong.

The good news is that it’s relatively easy to identify quality manufacturers:

• They publish actual EMF/ELF test results (not just claims)
• They specify exact wood types and treatment processes
• They manufacture their own power systems (or name their suppliers)
• They provide transparent electrical specifications
• They stand behind their work with meaningful warranties

If a company can’t or won’t answer detailed technical questions, that tells you everything you need to know about their engineering priorities.

At SaunaCloud, we build every sauna as if it were going into our own homes—because many of our team members actually use our saunas daily. When you’re personally invested in the product’s safety and performance, cutting corners isn’t an option.

If you’re ready to explore what a properly engineered sauna looks like, I invite you to book a free design consultation with me or our team. We’ll discuss your space, goals, and concerns—and I’ll show you exactly how we build safety into every aspect of our designs.

Because the question shouldn’t be “are infrared saunas safe?” It should be: “Is this infrared sauna safe?”

And with the proper manufacturer, the answer is an unequivocal yes.

For comprehensive safety information and guidelines, you can also review our detailed safety resource page on infrared sauna safety.

About the Author: Chris Kiggins is the founder and lead designer of SaunaCloud, a custom infrared sauna manufacturer based in Diamond Springs, California. With 11 years of experience and over 3,000 custom installations, Chris specializes in engineering ultra-low EMF heating systems and integrating red light therapy into residential and commercial saunas. His work has been featured in installations for Tony Robbins, Westin Hotels, and Cavallo Point Resort.