August 2023 - Saunas.org

How Does Regular Sauna Use Affect Hair?

By Saunas.org - Kat | August 30, 2023August 30, 2023 | Frequently Asked Questions, Hair Care, Hair Growth, Health Benefits, Hormesis, Infrared Sauna, saunas.org

The health benefits derived from regular sauna use are innumerable. The body responds in an escalation of vibrant health as a result of the increased heat exposure: From heart health, to improved immunity, circulation, glowing skin, a supercharged brain, and so much more, but what about hair?

The hair care industry accounts for 13.4 billion US dollars globally (1), and with so much money going towards hair care products and styling, most folks want to know how their sauna use might affect their hair. Most sauna-related studies and articles do not talk about the relationship between hair and sauna use, but this one will aim to answer most of your hair care questions related to sauna use.

Steam rooms, traditional saunas, and infrared saunas all have very different effects on hair. The two primary concerns when it come to hair and sauna use are as follows:

Can sauna use help with hair growth?
How will sauna use affect the quality of my hair: Blow-outs, hair dye, weaves, extensions, overall dryness, etc.

Saunas, if not directly, may have a correlative effect on hair growth in some cases that are connected to auto-immune disorders and the autonomic nervous system. It is important to remember that each individual has a very unique type of hair (if any hair at all), and certain conditions will respond more positively to sauna use for hair growth than others.

Reasons For Hair Loss and How Saunas May Help Improve the Condition

Stress
Auto-Immune Disorders
Androgenetic Alopecia (Male Pattern Baldness)

Stress The Autonomic Nervous System, Sauna Use, and Hair Growth

A stressful lifestyle, stressful life event, or trauma can cause the thinning of hair or the complete loss of hair on the head. This can be seen, for example, when someone loses a loved one, in the wake of a natural disaster, ongoing financial stress, or any event or sequence of events that keeps the autonomic nervous system in a constant state of fight or flight. For this cause of hair loss, regular sauna use (all sauna types) can be a valuable tool to help hair grow back with greater ease and speed. (2)

Hair growth is an involuntary process, and therefore, is considered to be part of the autonomic nervous system. Hair is not viewed by the body as necessary, so during a time when trauma occurs and the individual is pushed into a state of sympathetic dominance or fight/flight for a prolonged period of time, they can experience a complete loss of hair.

If your hair loss is stress related, then undergoing some positive stress (hormesis) during a sauna session, will give way to states of deep relaxation and improved sleep. When this occurs, the autonomic nervous system swings like a pendulum back into a state of rest & digest, or relaxation and healing. In this state of being, the body is able to heal itself, including involuntary processes such as hair growth.

Saunas of all types including traditional, steam, and infrared may all be helpful in allowing the autonomic nervous system to easily slide back into states of relaxation, where hair growth can return to normal after a stressful life event or events.

Autoimmune Disorders

The same principles mentioned above also apply to individuals living with autoimmune disorders that may cause hair loss. All of these diseases are aggravated by prolonged states of stress response. It can be helpful for anyone living with an autoimmune disorder to spend time in the sauna. If hair growth is a concern, you will want to make sure you are engaging in activities that actively promote positive autonomic nervous system responses to support your body’s natural mechanism towards hair growth. Transferring the autonomic nervous system back into parasympathetic dominance or states of relaxation through sauna use may help with a variety of autoimmune disorders that cause hair loss.

Androgenetic Alopecia

Unfortunately, for male pattern baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia), there is often little that can be done. There are some biomedical professionals who believe that exposure to red and near infrared light (photobiomodulation) may improve hair growth in individuals who have lost hair on their head. At present, there is simply not enough data to quantify this claim. It is true, however, that photobiomodulation does improve mitochondrial metabolism, blood circulation, collagen & elastin production, all of which could potentially help with hair growth (3). All of the positive effects that are correlated with red light therapy may help individuals who have lost hair due to stress and disease, but it is still questionable whether it will positively impact male pattern baldness.

Baldness, or the thinning of hair in aging men, is often a result of the disappearance of the hair follicle itself as a result of a genetic predisposition toward this process. There is, however, some anecdotal evidence to suggest that photobiomodulation has helped some men regrow hair. During a full spectrum infrared sauna, the individual can turn on the ‘red’ color light on the ceiling as part of the chromotherapy, and when this is joined with the ceramic near infrared light, the effect of photobiomodulation does occur, and may just help the head hair to grow back!

FAQs On Hair Care and Consistent Sauna Use

Blowouts
Extensions
Weaves
Hair Dye
Completely Bald Scalp
Dryness

If you are someone who has put time and money into your hair care, then you will want to make sure that you approach your sauna use with care. Paying special attention to the type of sauna that you are using and your specific hair care needs (even if you are bald).

Traditional Saunas & Steam Rooms + Haircare (Weaves, Blowouts, and Extensions, and Wigs)

Traditional saunas and steam rooms are very moist, and no amount of preparation can be taken to preserve a blowout. You will need to get your blowout after you sauna, without question.

Your head will get very wet in a steam room so you will need to take the same precautions with a weave or extensions that you would when swimming.

If there is any glue in your weave, then you will want to be mindful of the high heat of a traditional sauna. These saunas can reach up to 190 degrees Fahrenheit and may affect the glue.

If you dye your hair, then a steam room or traditional sauna will affect your hair as much as swimming in non-chlorinated water. If you are completely bald, then the moisture from these types of saunas will have no effect on your bald scalp.

If you have spent money on a nice wig and want to preserve it, DO NOT wear it in a sauna. If you feel more comfortable, wrap your head in a scarf rather than sacrificing your wig.

It is worth wrapping your hair in a scarf or silk fabric if you have extensions, weaves, or hair dye to help preserve your style.

If you have wavy to curly hair, your hair will get much frizzier in a steam room or traditional sauna, so you may want to consider a conditioner mask, or just a conditioner set, while you sauna with your hair up in a bun or ponytail. Remember to rinse with cold water when your session is complete.

Infrared Saunas and Your Hair Care

Infrared saunas, in general, are more hair care ‘friendly’ than steam rooms or traditional saunas because they are much dryer. This fact makes it both easier on hair in some ways, but you will need to consider maintaining moisture in your hair and scalp if you are using an infrared sauna regularly.

Extensions, Weaves, and Infrared Saunas

If you have extensions or a weave, you will still need to be mindful of any chemicals (including glue) that may be associated with your weave or extensions. As you will sweat considerably in an infrared sauna, your hair may not stay completely dry. Infrared wavelengths penetrate deeply beyond layers of clothing and even through the epidermis. It is recommended that you wrap your hair up into either silk cloth, or even cotton fabric. The more organic your hair extensions or weaves are, the better they will respond to the high heat.

Do not wear a wig inside the sauna if at all possible, as it will not be good for the wig itself. If you feel you must wear your wig in the sauna, your scalp itself will not be negatively affected by wearing a wig (it’s more of a concern for the wig itself).

Infrared Saunas, Hair Dye, Dryness, and a Mostly Bald Scalp

The primary issue with infrared saunas and your hair is that the experience tends to dry hair or the scalp out. If you have long hair it is recommended that you pre-set hair conditioner, and then wash this out with cold water after your sauna, this will help to prevent your hair from getting dry and splitting off.

If your hair is dyed, consult with your hair care specialist on how to best approach a situation where your hair will be exposed to dry heat. It is most likely that you will have a hair dye preservative conditioner that you can apply to your hair before beginning your sauna session.

If your scalp is mostly bald, then you will want to oil your scalp slightly with argan oil, or coconut oil, to prevent drying of the scalp.

Bring a towel with you into the sauna so that you can remove any dripping sweat, conditioner, or oil, out of the way of your eyes as you sauna.

Blow-Outs, Flat Ironed Straightened Hair, and Infrared Saunas

Your blow out or straightened hair will actually survive an infrared sauna session, surprisingly. You will need to use bobby pins (they will heat up in the sauna) to pin your hair up in a circular fashion around your head. You will then want a silk scarf (silk is preferred, but cotton is ok) to wrap around your pinned hair. You will sweat, of course, but this will have minimal effects on your blow-out.

Clearly, if you have a special event coming up, sauna first, and get your hair done after you shower and wash the sweat off. That being said, an infrared sauna is definitely the way to go if you are hoping to preserve your blow-out or straightened hair.

Hair Growth, Hair Care, and Sauna Use

Habitual sauna use as a lifestyle is certainly not the cure-all for baldness. However, if hair loss is caused by stress, or disease, it may be possible to support physiology in such a way as to ensure the return of healthy hair growth. Red Light therapy may help in male pattern baldness, but it is unlikely to directly cause hair growth to return.

For anyone choosing to wear a weave, or extensions, special precautions should be taken for high heat, as well as moisture. If you are unsure how your hair style will be affected by the heat or humidity of certain saunas, then it is best to consult with your hair care specialist.

It is definitely possible to reap the health benefits of regular sauna use and have great hair, you may just need to be mindful of what sauna type you choose, and prepare your hair accordingly.

Sources Cited:

https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/beauty-personal-care/personal-care/hair-care/united-states#revenue
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539845/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7356229/

The Health Benefits of Using a Cold Plunge Regularly

By Saunas.org - Kat | August 25, 2023December 17, 2023 | Cold Plunge, Cold Therapy, Health Benefits, Hormesis, Mitochondrial Biogenesis, Mitochondrial Metabolism, Mood Disorders, Neurological Benefits Of Sauna use, Research & Data, saunas.org

In stark contrast to a sauna that feels warm and inviting, the very thought of a cold plunge can send shivers down your spine. There is a level of stoicism required to take the plunge into the cold on behalf of each participant. It is not for the faint of heart, and yet similar to regular sauna bathing, there are unique and clinically significant health benefits derived from regular and intentional cold plunges.

Engaging the thermoregulatory system of our bodies as a means to heal a variety of the body’s systems, as well as potentially aiding in the remission of certain diseases, extends deeply into the annals of human history. While cold plunging and the use of heat therapy are not new in human history, the scientific data and research that support their regular use is now available in abundance. The intellectual understanding of how thermal-hormesis can truly benefit our health may just be the nudge we all need to dive into the very, very cold plunge.

There are several health benefits that overlap with regular sauna use and cold therapy, so if you already use a sauna regularly, why add on a cold plunge to your routine for maximum health benefits?

The reality is that the use of cold therapy produces incredible results on human health. Additionally, there are a few specific health benefits that are exclusive and unique to this modality that cannot be derived from sauna use.

Health Benefits Derived from Regular Cold Plunge Use

Mental Clarity and Focus
Conversion of White Fat To Brown Fat
Mitochondrial Biogenesis
Reduced Anxiety
Stabilized Mood
Improved Resiliency
Increased Metabolism
Enhanced Cell Longevity
Increase in Brown Fat
Decrease in Inflammation
Improved Circulation to Reduce Acute and Chronic Pain (1)

Mental Clarity and Focus: Epinephrine (Adrenaline) and Norepinephrine

Clearly, the build up to entering into a cold plunge creates those common butterflies of nervousness as the body and mind prepare for a deeply uncomfortable experience. While it is completely safe to use a cold plunge (for a limited amount of time), the result on the body is a hormetic effect (healthy stress). Pushing beyond the edge of comfortability during a cold therapy session has a two-fold positive effect on both the brain and character.

Epinephrine, more commonly known as adrenaline, is produced in the adrenal glands during a cold plunge along with Norepinephrine, which is also produced in the adrenal glands and is both a hormone and a neurotransmitter. The positive effects of this release affects the body, and more notably the brain, for hours after a cold plunge.

Practically, this means that if you are preparing for an important work presentation, athletic event, or even a social event such as a prom or wedding, utilizing the cold plunge will make you more focused, your brain more active, and you will be able to respond in the moment to cerebral activity.

Associate Professor of Neurobiology at Stanford University, Dr. Andrew Huberman Writes:

“Deliberate cold exposure causes a significant release of epinephrine (aka adrenaline) and norepinephrine (aka noradrenaline) in the brain and body. These neurochemicals make us feel alert and can make us feel agitated and as if we need to move or vocalize during the cold exposure. Cold causes their levels to stay elevated for some time and their ongoing effect after the exposure is to increase your level of energy and focus, which can be applied to other mental and/or physical activities.” (2)

In addition to providing a more focused mental aptitude directly after a cold plunge, which has been shown to aid in daily activities, this specific therapy demands a level of commitment to do that which is uncomfortable. Learning to withstand dis-comfort in a safe, measured environment has many benefits that we are not yet able to quantify.

Resiliency and Cold Plunge Therapy

Life throws curve balls at us all the time. While some may seem devastating on initial appearances, very often, these obstacles and challenges are ultimately fixable and provide us with an opportunity for personal growth.

In a world where so much is outside of our immediate control, it is beneficial to learn the skill of resiliency, and the ability to move beyond discomfort to achieve a higher good.

Science has demonstrated how beneficial cold plunges are for both short and long term health, and yet the actual action of getting in and pushing our personal threshold beyond what is comfortable may be challenging for some. Overcoming the initial nerves and severe discomfort of sitting in the cold plunge requires each individual to rise up to the occasion. Learning this invaluable skill will inevitably extend itself into the rest of your life. Why not get your stamina and resiliency practice in while also improving your health?!

Comparisons Chart: Health Benefits of Saunas and Cold Plunges

Health Benefits	Infrared Saunas	Traditional Saunas	Cold Plunge
HSP Production	Yes	Yes	Yes
Improves Immunity	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hormesis	Yes	Yes	Yes
Increased Circulation	Yes	Yes	Yes
Detoxification	Yes	Yes	No
Mitochondrial Biogenesis	No	No	Yes
Photobiomodulation	Yes	No	No
White to Brown Fat	No	No	Yes
Cardiovascular Workout	Yes	Yes	No
Collagen Production	Yes	No	No
Improves Sleep	Yes	Yes	Yes

Brown Fat to White Fat: Increase Mitochondrial Biogenesis

Most individuals not working in the field of thermal-contrast therapy probably wonder what the big deal is when it comes to converting brown fat to white fat. The short answer is simply that brown fat contains more mitochondria than white fat. The result of having many more energy centers in brown fat allows it to be a more efficient mechanism to the body’s overall wellness than white fat.

Dr Susanna Soeberg is an expert in the field of contrast therapy, as well as the founder of The Soberg Institute: Theramalist Cure, and she comments the following:

“Brown fat, a type of healthy fat stored around the spine that acts as our body’s temperature regulator, boosts metabolism and can even aid blood-sugar response and weight control. The more we expose ourselves to the cold, the more brown fat cells we have. So it’s a case of use it or lose it” (1)

Dr. Rhonda Patrick, another expert in the field of saunas and thermo hormesis expands upon the biochemical changes that take place as a result of cold exposure to effectively convert white fat to brown fat. She explains that the release of Norepinephrine in response to cold is made in the adrenal glands, as well as the central nervous system, and is both a hormone as well as a neurotransmitter. Moreover, it is the release of norepinephrine that is responsible for the conversion of white fat into brown fat. What makes this so very important is that the conversion process which activates brown fat is linked to mitochondrial biogenesis.

Mitochondria are the energy center of each individual cell, and scientists now understand that brown fat has at least five times as many mitochondria compared to white fat, and the only way to activate brown fat and therefore mitochondrial biogenesis is through the release of norepinephrine as a direct causation from cold exposure. (3)

This fact alone will probably get most people inspired to move beyond any resistance to the cold and just get in the tub!

Why Choose A Cold Plunge Tub? Safety First!

Safety: Controlled Temperature and Time Duration
Some Are Portable
Standardize the Temperature of the Plunge
No Ice Required
Safe To Use at Home (Unlike Cryotherapy)
Water Purification System

It is possible to achieve excellent results from natural bodies of cold water such as rivers and lakes, but unfortunately, there are some risks associated with this activity. When it comes to regular daily cold therapy, safety is extremely important to eliminate potential risks and dangers associated with plunging into lakes and rivers. By having a dedicated plunge at home you can remove the potential dangers of using a natural body of water to serve your cold plunge needs.

Relying on a cold shower or cold bath is difficult because depending on where you live, your cold water may not be cold enough. If you are looking to take a cold shower that is 55 degrees Fahrenheit or less, this may not be accessible to you unless you live in a more northerly climate. With an at home cold plunge you can set the temperature to what your body needs on any particular day, which is extremely beneficial if you are just starting with cold shock therapy.

Furthermore, rather than needing to fill the cold plunge up with new water each time, your cold plunge will come with a water purification system. This allows you to forgo the bags of ice and excessive water use everytime you want to cold plunge.

There is room for improvement with an at home cold plunge as you can set the temperature to something that is manageable for you in the beginning and gradually lower the temperature to 37 degrees.

Your cold plunge can also be used as a hot tub as it can reach up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, you will probably benefit so much that you will not want to miss out on a single day of cold plunge, and the tub available through saunas.org is also portable!

Cold Plunge Risks and Contraindications

There are incredible health benefits to be derived from taking a cold plunge, however, using a cold plunge is not for everyone. Having a cold plunge tub in your home that allows you to control the temperature and keep the water clean will go a long way to ensure your safety.Nevertheless, humans can get too cold, and cold exposure can lead to long term health issues, if not worse.

Please always consult with a health care professional before engaging in cold therapy to ensure that it is appropriate for you. By choosing to use a cold therapy method, such as a cold plunge tub at home, you are able to mitigate some of the dangers of using a natural body of water, as well as other unknowns and uncontrollable elements.

If you are careful and use the correct tools, adding cold therapy to your healthcare regime could be a total game changer!

Sources Cited:

Everything You Need To Know About Owning A Sauna With Salt Walls

By Saunas.org - Kat | August 18, 2023August 18, 2023 | EMFs, Health Benefits, Infrared Sauna

The countless health benefits associated with both infrared sauna use and salt cave therapy have probably drawn you to the conclusion that an in-house Himalayan salt wall sauna is the ultimate health vessel. While we may be a *bit* biased, we agree! To go a step further, this combination is enhanced with the color light therapy in the ceiling which creates a light bath infused with all of the life-affirming benefits of salt.

What do you really need to know about owning a sauna with salt walls?

We all know the feeling of arriving at the beach, breathing in fresh salt air, and the calm that subsequently settles over the body. We also all know that salt air corrodes bicycles, vehicles, and pretty much anything that it comes into contact with quickly.

These are examples of some questions you may be having if you are considering purchasing an in house sauna with salt walls:

Is salt water corrosion something that would affect the integrity of a sauna with salt walls?
What is all the hype around including salt walls in a sauna?
Are the purported health benefits of salt air worth the potential damage to the sauna itself?
Is the inclusion of salt walls in your sauna a fad that will fade out, or is there real lasting benefit to including salt in your sauna?

How Do Salt Walls Physically Fit Into Your Sauna?

Himalayan salt walls will cover a relatively small percentage of the total square footage of wall space in your sauna. The rest of the wall space is dedicated to the infrared heaters (including both carbon and ceramic) or doors, and windows. This means that while there is enough salt to have a positive effect on health, the salt walls will not cover the majority of the total wall surface.

The salt wall panel is very similar to that of a picture in a frame, and is therefore separate from the rest of the cabin structure, but still attached to the wall; not the wall itself. This ensures that if you ever need to replace any of your salt bricks, it can be done so easily. The Himalayan salt is formatted in the same shape as a typical brick, but usually somewhat thinner. The coloration of the salt ranges from a robust orange to pink, and appears very similar to the brilliant colors of the setting sun.

Some sauna units come with the salt walls on the bench riser or just above the wall heaters closer to the ceiling, and none interfere with the placement of the carbon and ceramic infrared heaters.

Salt has been used for centuries to heal various conditions, and continues to be a powerful healing tool, particularly for pulmonary tract issues, skin infections, and it is of course a necessary mineral element for all human health. When salt is used therapeutically it is generally referred to as halotherapy.

What Is Halotherapy?

The use of salt for therapeutic purposes is generally referred to as halotherapy (HP), derived from speleotherapy in salt mines. This therapy was popularized by the health of salt miners in eastern Europe. Generally, mining is considered to be a potentially hazardous and dangerous occupation; however, it was remarkable that workers in the salt mines were demonstrating superior respiratory health when compared to other civilians. With some investigation, it was found that the particles that these miners were inhaling were actually beneficial to their health. Interestingly, it was the salt miners in Poland during the 19th century that brought into focus the health benefits of salt exposure in confined spaces, such as salt mines and caves.

Once inhaled, salt particles cause the mucus within the lungs to thin and liquify, thereby dislodging potentially harmful pathogens and bacteria within the pulmonary tract. This process allows for easier expulsion of allergens and other airborne disturbances to the lungs. (1)

The calming effect of fresh sea air is not just in your imagination, but rather has quantifiable effects on human health.

The national institute of health performed a study on 15 individuals, all of whom suffered conditions ranging from bronchial asthma to allergies. The study involved recreating a salt cave and having the participants sit inside for a regulated number of sessions – clinically significant results were observed in the participants. The study went on to conclude that spending time in spaces with a high concentration of salt particles is highly beneficial to overall health. (2) The article’s conclusion is quoted below:

“The assessment of results achieved in the investigated patients with bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathy, after a specific halotherapy treatment, indicates the triggering of an anti-inflammatory (including anti-allergic mechanisms) mechanism and a decreasing trend of the inflammatory process.” (2)

So, does having salt in your sauna recreate similar health benefits? It appears that the similarities between the enclosed space of a sauna couple with the radiant heat of infrared light creates a very similar effect as that of a salt cave. Additionally, the heat from the sauna helps to release the salt particles off of the individual Himalayan salt bricks.

Potential Health Benefits of Having Salt In Your Sauna

Asthma
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder)
Pneumonia
Emphysema
Chronic Bronchitis
Hay Fever
Sleep & Snoring

Infrared saunas that come with salt walls are essentially recreating the experience of a salt cave on a smaller scale. The heat from the infrared panels affects the salt in such a way as to release the negatively charged ions in salt particles inside the chamber of the sauna. While this will not have as intense of an effect as a salt generator, the effects are still substantial enough to improve overall health.

FAQs

What Is the Correlation Between EMFs and Salt Walls In Your Sauna

Salt is negatively charged which gives it the unique capacity to bind positively charged particles to it. This effect that salt has on positively charged emissions from electrical devices neutralizes some of the harmful effects from electromagnetic fields. At saunas.org we aim to keep the levels of EMF emissions as low as technology permits, nevertheless by virtue of using an electrical appliance, some EMFs will still be present. The incorporation of salt walls into your sauna will likely improve the overall experiential effect of EMFs on the human body.

Do Salt Walls In Your Sauna Affect Respiratory Function?

Most individuals will notice an improvement in their pulmonary function with continued use of a sauna with salt walls, however the effects will not be as noticeable as those from a salt generator.

Is it easy to clean salt?

You will need to clean the salt off the lower ledge of your salt wall. You may find white snow like salt particles in your sauna. Primarily, these will accumulate on the wood that supports the salt walls. This can be cleaned using a small brush and a dust pan, and simply ‘dusting’ the salt off of the ledge into the dust pan. You will then want to wipe down the wood with a damp cloth. About once a month you will want to run a vacuum (with a small attachment at the suction point) along the back velvet that covers the carbon heaters, and anywhere else in your sauna where you find an accumulation of salt.

Does the salt corrode over time?

Yes, the salt blocks themselves will corrode over time as salt is a natural substance that is subject to degradation as part of its natural life cycle. The time frame over which this occurs is a question of years, rather than months. Slowly the blocks evaporate as the salt is released. Replacement salt blocks, should you require them, are available.

Can you over expose yourself to salt in a sauna?

At this time, it is not known if over exposure to salt can negatively affect human health. Given that the salt walls are in a sauna, you will not be spending more than 30-60 minutes a day in your sauna maximum, so this amount of exposure to the salt will likely not have a negative effect on your health.

What are the long term effects of using salt on the sauna structure itself?

Unlike the salt air coming off the ocean, the salt air in your infrared sauna is not high in humidity, and will therefore not produce the same results that ocean air has on things such as bicycles, vehicles, hinges, and a host of appliances. So, you need not worry about the effect that the salt has on the structure of your sauna in the long run because the infrared heat is not humid. It is for this reason that salt walls are not included in the wetter traditional saunas or steam saunas. The dry heat of infrared light allows for the safe inclusion of salt into your sauna therapy without risking damage to the sauna structure itself.

Himalayan Salt Wall Infrared Saunas Are a Beautiful Marriage of Both Heat and Salt Therapy

If you are choosing to invest in a sauna and are looking for the ultimate health vessel, then it makes sense to include himalayan salt walls in your sauna. While saunas with Himalayan salt walls do not produce the same benefits to pulmonary health as a salt generator, they do appear to have positive benefits.

The salt walls of your sauna can easily be kept clean and will not erode the integrity of your sauna as infrared heat is dry unlike the humid ocean air. It makes good sense to dive into all the benefits of a sauna with Himalayan salt walls, color light therapy for a full health immersion!

Sources Cited:

https://www.salttherapyassociation.org/how-and-why-it-works
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4391365/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3937102/