You can add red light to an existing sauna, but only with a panel built to cope with sauna heat and humidity. A standard red light panel isn't designed for it: heat shortens LED life and can damage the electronics, and moisture is a safety risk. Before buying, check three specifications: the maximum operating temperature, the IP rating, and the wavelengths. This guide explains each, then covers placement and wiring.
Why can't you put an ordinary red light panel in a sauna?
LEDs and their electronics are sensitive to heat. Most standard panels are designed for room temperature, and many have cooling fans that expect normal air. In a sauna, three things go wrong:
- Heat shortens LED life and reduces light output, sometimes quickly
- Electronics can fail or become a hazard at temperatures they weren't rated for
- Humidity gets in, especially in a traditional sauna where water goes on the stones
A sauna-rated panel is built for these conditions, with heat-tolerant components and a sealed housing.
Spec 1: What's the maximum operating temperature?
This is the most important figure. Compare it with how hot your sauna gets:
| Sauna type | Typical temperature | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Infrared sauna | Roughly 45–60°C | A panel rated comfortably above your sauna's maximum |
| Traditional sauna | Roughly 70–100°C | A panel specifically rated for traditional sauna temperatures; many aren't |
Remember that heat rises. The top of the sauna is hotter than bench height, so the panel's mounting position affects the temperature it sees. If the manufacturer doesn't state a maximum operating temperature, don't install it in a sauna.
Infrared saunas are far easier to retrofit than traditional ones, simply because they run cooler.
Spec 2: What IP rating do you need?
An IP (ingress protection) rating tells you how well a device is sealed against dust and water. It's written as two digits: the first for solids, the second for liquids.
- Infrared saunas are dry, so moisture is less of a concern, but sweat and cleaning still mean a sealed unit is sensible.
- Traditional saunas produce steam when water goes on the stones, so a panel needs a rating that covers water spray and humidity.
If a panel has no IP rating, it isn't designed for a sauna.
Spec 3: Which wavelengths does it use?
Most panels combine red light, around 630–660nm, with near-infrared, around 810–850nm. Check that the panel states its exact wavelengths in nanometres. "Red and infrared" on its own isn't a specification.
It's worth knowing that an infrared sauna's heaters are a different kind of infrared. They're designed to produce heat, mostly at longer wavelengths. A red light panel adds the specific red and near-infrared wavelengths that the heaters don't target.
Where should you mount the panel?
- Away from the heater. Never mount a panel directly above or beside the heater or the stones. Follow the manufacturer's minimum distances.
- Lower rather than higher, where practical, since the top of the sauna is the hottest part.
- Facing the bench, at the height of your torso when seated, so the light reaches the area you want at a sensible distance.
- Where you won't knock it. Saunas are small, and you'll be moving in and out.
If two people share the sauna, think about where each person sits. A single panel covers one person well; two people may need two panels or a wider unit.
How do you wire it safely?
Get a qualified electrician. Electrical installations in rooms with sauna heaters are covered by a specific section of the UK wiring regulations (BS 7671, Section 703), which sets rules for what equipment can go where and how it must be rated.
Practical points to discuss with your electrician:
- Where the power supply will sit. It's often safer outside the sauna, with only the panel inside.
- Whether the cable and fittings are rated for the temperature
- How the panel will be switched and whether it should share the sauna's controls
- RCD protection
For an outdoor garden sauna, the supply is already notifiable work, so it's worth adding the panel at the same time as the sauna goes in.
Which red light panel should you use?
Our MEGA sauna panel is designed for sauna use. Check its product page for the maximum operating temperature, IP rating and wavelengths before choosing. If any of those three aren't listed, ask us before ordering.
If you're still choosing a sauna, see our infrared saunas and our guide to choosing a 2 person outdoor sauna.
Checklist before you buy
- Maximum operating temperature, stated and above your sauna's maximum
- IP rating suitable for your sauna type
- Exact wavelengths in nanometres
- Minimum distance from the heater
- Mounting method and fixings included
- Electrician booked for the wiring
- Warranty that covers use in a sauna
Frequently asked questions
Can you put a red light panel in a sauna?
Only if it's rated for the heat and humidity. Standard panels aren't, and heat can shorten LED life or damage the electronics. Check the maximum operating temperature and IP rating before buying.
Is it easier to add red light to an infrared or traditional sauna?
An infrared sauna, because it runs cooler and drier, typically around 45–60°C. Traditional saunas reach 70–100°C with steam, so far fewer panels are suitable.
Do I need an electrician to install a sauna red light panel?
Yes. Rooms with sauna heaters have specific rules in the UK wiring regulations, and the equipment must be installed and rated correctly.
Where should the panel go?
Facing the bench at torso height, away from the heater, and lower rather than higher where possible. Follow the manufacturer's minimum distances.
Is an infrared sauna already red light therapy?
No. Infrared sauna heaters mainly produce longer-wavelength infrared for warmth. Red light panels produce specific red and near-infrared wavelengths that the heaters don't target.
This guide covers the practical and installation aspects of adding red light to a sauna. It is not medical advice. If you have a heart condition, blood pressure issues, are pregnant, take medication or have a light-sensitive condition, speak to your GP before using a sauna or red light therapy.