Colored Interior Lights in Infrared Cabins: What the Feature Is

What chromotherapy lights are

Chromotherapy, sometimes called color therapy, is the practice of using colored light to influence mood or relaxation. In an infrared sauna, the term refers to low-voltage LED strips that line the interior benches, backrests, or ceiling edges. These strips emit colored light in a range of hues, typically controlled from the sauna's control panel.

The LEDs themselves produce very little heat. Unlike the infrared emitters that warm the cabin, the light strips are there for the visual environment. The color can make the small interior feel less stark, and many users find a dim blue or green setting easier on the eyes than a bright white panel light.

Manufacturers describe this feature as part of the overall sauna experience, not as a medical treatment. The iSteam3 control from MrSteam, for example, lists chroma lighting alongside temperature, time, aroma, and music as ways to customize a session. That framing matches how the feature appears in most infrared cabin listings: a comfort option that rounds out the session.

If you want to understand how the lights relate to the heat source, see the comparison of how infrared saunas heat the body versus the air.

What the light does and does not do

Colored light in the visible spectrum is a form of non-ionizing radiation. The National Cancer Institute lists visible light in the low- to mid-frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum, in the same category as infrared radiation and radio waves. These forms of non-ionizing radiation are not known to damage DNA directly.

The relaxation effect from colored light is a subjective response, not a measured physiological outcome. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences notes that non-ionizing radiation, which includes visible light, is generally perceived as harmless to humans. That means the lights are safe to use, but you should not treat them as a therapy.

Some listings may use words like "color therapy" or "chromotherapy" alongside wellness claims. If a description suggests that a specific color treats a medical condition, that crosses from feature description into health claiming. For a framework on how to read such claims, see the piece on spotting misleading health claims.

How the light wiring works

In most infrared cabins, the LED strips run on a low-voltage DC circuit, typically 12V or 24V, supplied by a small transformer or LED driver. This driver converts the mains power down to a safe, low voltage. Because the lights draw little current, the wiring is thin and the driver is small, often mounted behind a control panel or under a bench.

The low-voltage system is separate from the main heater circuit. The infrared emitters need a dedicated high-current circuit, while the lights are on their own low-current line. This separation is worth checking: a cabin that wires the lights into the same circuit as the heater can cause flicker when the heater cycles.

The transformer should be rated for the number of LED strips it powers. If the driver is undersized, the lights may dim or flicker. Ask the seller for the driver's output rating in watts, and confirm it matches the LED strip load. This is a simple specification check that avoids a common field issue.

For more on how the electrical system is laid out, see the article on infrared sauna controls and panel zones.

Safety and certification checks

The most important safety check is certification of the complete cabin, not just the LED strips. A cabin that carries an ETL Listed mark has been independently tested by Intertek, a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, to applicable safety standards. The ETL mark indicates the product meets the same safety requirements as other NRTL marks and is accepted by regulators and inspectors across the US and Canada.

For the light strips themselves, check the IP rating, which describes how well a fixture resists dust and moisture. The interior of an infrared sauna is dry compared to a steam room, but humidity from sweat and occasional spills can reach the lower bench areas. A rating of at least IP44, which protects against splashing water, is reasonable for bench-level strips. See the article on IP ratings on sauna fixtures for the scale.

The LED driver should be in a ventilated location, not sealed inside a closed cavity where heat accumulates. In an infrared cabin, the interior can reach 110 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit per Cleveland Clinic guidance, so the driver should be mounted outside the heated zone or in a compartment with airflow.

Low voltage does not eliminate all risk, but it does reduce the severity of a shock if a strip is damaged. The transformer still connects to the mains, so the wiring into the driver should be protected and strain-relieved. If the cabin is certified, this is part of the tested design.

For a broader look at electrical safety, see the piece on EMF and electrical fields in wiring.

Controls and adjustability

Chromotherapy features vary in how much control you get. At the simplest level, a cabin has a fixed color cycle that slowly shifts through the spectrum. More useful setups let you pick a single color, adjust brightness, or set the lights to follow a timed sequence during your session.

Look for a control panel that separates the light controls from the heater controls. Ideally, you can turn the lights on and off independently, set a dim level, and choose a static color without cycling through the full rainbow every time. A good system also remembers your last setting, so the cabin starts with the color you prefer.

A brightness range matters more than the number of colors. The interior of an infrared cabin is small, and a full-brightness LED strip can feel harsh. The ability to dim to a soft glow makes the light a calm background element rather than the focus of the room.

If you plan to use the sauna for reading or using a phone, the light position becomes practical. Some cabins place strips behind the backrest for indirect light, while others mount them under the bench to illuminate the floor. The article on reading lamps and extras covers similar practical choices.

Light positioning and glare

Where the LED strips sit affects how the color appears. Strips mounted behind the acrylic or wood panels create a soft, diffused glow. Strips mounted directly in view create visible LED dots, which can be distracting especially at close range in a small cabin.

For a relaxing effect, indirect lighting is better. Light reflecting off a wall or ceiling spreads evenly and reduces the contrast between the bright strip and the dark corner. If the cabin has strips under the benches, the light pools on the floor, which is easy on the eyes and also helps you see the step when entering.

Check whether the strips are visible when you sit on the bench. A strip at eye level, facing you directly, is more likely to cause glare, especially if the color is bright. The lamp placement and glare article has more on this topic for other fixtures.

Another consideration is color rendering. The LED strips add colored light, but if you also use the main ceiling light, check that the two light sources do not clash. Some cabins let you run the white light and the color strips together, which gives a cleaner look than choosing between them.

What to check before buying

When comparing cabins, treat chromotherapy as a feature to verify, not a headline spec. The list below covers the checks that make the difference between a pleasant ambient light and a source of frustration.

• Certification: Confirm the whole cabin carries an ETL Listed or equivalent NRTL mark, as described on the Intertek ETL page.
• Driver location: Look for the LED driver mounted outside the heated interior or in a ventilated compartment, not sealed behind a bench.
• Independent control: Verify you can adjust light color and brightness separately from the heater temperature and timer.
• IP rating: Ask the seller for the IP rating of the LED strips; IP44 or higher is reasonable for bench-level placement.
• Warm-up behavior: Check whether the lights stay off during the preheat phase, which many users prefer so the cabin does not glow brightly while empty.
• Replacement path: Ask if the LED strips are a standard size you can replace later, since strips do age and dim over the cabin's lifetime.

Chromotherapy versus other cabin lighting

Chromotherapy strips are distinct from the main ceiling or wall light fixtures in a cabin. The main light, often a ceiling-mounted panel, is for general illumination when you enter, exit, or clean the sauna. The color strips are for the session itself, providing a low-level ambient glow.

Some cabins include both, with separate controls. If a cabin lists only one interior light, ask whether it is a general light or a color strip. A single white light on the ceiling does not give you the dim, colored environment that the chromotherapy feature implies.

The wattage is also different. Color LED strips typically draw a few watts per strip, while a main ceiling light might draw 10 to 20 watts. The low draw of the strips is what allows them to run off a small driver, so the cabin's overall power use is barely affected.

For a comparison of the light options in infrared cabins, see the articles on sauna light types and LED strip lighting under benches.

Does the light affect the heat session?

No. The LED strips produce negligible heat and do not influence the cabin temperature or the infrared output. The emitters on the walls deliver the heat; the light strips are purely visual.

The only indirect effect is on how you feel during the session. A calm, dim environment can make the time pass more comfortably, especially if you use the sauna in the evening. That is a subjective benefit, not a measured one, but it is a legitimate reason to want the feature.

If the cabin has a glass front, the colored light will be visible from outside. Some users appreciate the soft glow a lit cabin casts into the room, while others prefer a dark, unobtrusive unit. This is a personal choice, and the control panel should let you switch the lights off entirely if you prefer.

For the full picture of what happens inside an infrared cabin, see the guide on infrared sauna temperature range.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Do chromotherapy lights in an infrared sauna emit EMF?

The LED strips run on low-voltage DC, so the magnetic field is minimal and limited to the area immediately around the wires. The NIEHS notes that visible light is a non-ionizing form of radiation. For a fuller discussion of EMF in saunas, see the article on what EMF means in saunas.

Can chromotherapy lights treat health conditions?

No. The lights are for ambiance and relaxation. Colored light in the visible spectrum is non-ionizing and not known to damage cells, but the National Cancer Institute does not support any therapeutic claim for visible colored light. Treat any listing that promises medical benefits as overreach.

Do the lights need special wiring in my home?

No. The LED driver connects to a standard household outlet and the lights run on low voltage. The infrared heaters, by contrast, may need a dedicated circuit. The lights do add a small load, which is negligible compared to the heater draw.

Can I replace the LED strips if they burn out?

Usually yes, but it depends on the cabin. Ask the seller whether the strips are standard LED tape that you can cut and reconnect, or a custom-sized unit. Standard strips are easier to source and replace at the end of the cabin's life.

Is chromotherapy the same as red light therapy?

No. Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths in the red and near-infrared range and is often marketed for skin or muscle effects. Chromotherapy in an infrared cabin is decorative colored light in the visible spectrum. They are separate features, and you should not expect therapeutic outcomes from the cabin's color strips.