WHY INFRARED SAUNAS?

Sunlight is a combination of visible and invisible light. All the colors of the rainbow are present in sunlight, as well as both infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths, which are not visible to the naked eye. Among all the invisible rays that emanate from the sun, far infrared is well known to our bodies because we actually produce far infrared. As far infrared comes from the sun, it penetrates deeply into the skin to help dissolve unwanted substances that have accumulated in the body. The infrared rays have the power to revitalize your cells and metabolism.

Far infrared waves penetrate into our body and activate the sweat glands. The sweat glands are one of the tools that the body uses to eliminate toxins. The skin is actually the largest organ of the human body and has been called “the third kidney” because of its ability to discharge large amounts of waste material through the sweat glands. It is one of the best mechanisms the body has for detoxification.

A research paper published decades ago by researchers S. Inouye and M. Kabaya showed that far infrared can cause a vibration in human tissue if wavelengths similar to those produced by the body are introduced. This is similar to the effects demonstrated in infrared spectroscopy. When introduced at the proper wavelengths of 9.3 to 9.4 microns, water molecules can begin to vibrate. This vibration reduces the ion bonds of water, and the eventual breakdown causes encapsulated gases and other toxic materials to be released for elimination.

Full spectrum refers to the entire infrared spectrum: near infrared, mid infrared, and far infrared. With the addition of near and mid infrared, you get the maximum benefit from an infrared sauna.

The sun is the primary source of radiant energy, but not all of this energy is beneficial. Although life needs energy from the sun, too much sunlight can damage the skin. Infrared heat provides all the healthy benefits of natural sunlight without any of the dangerous effects of solar radiation.

For years, the healthcare industry recommended infrared heat lamps as a source of infrared therapy, but the lamps were cumbersome, extremely hot, and difficult to maintain at a constant temperature. Today, many healthcare professionals use infrared heaters to treat a variety of diseases worldwide. Infrared saunas use state-of-the-art heaters to provide these benefits.

The efficacy of infrared waves is very broad and has been the subject of recent study by NASA. Among the infrared waves, far infrared rays, which have a wavelength of 6-12 microns, are especially beneficial to the human body. These waves can penetrate 1.5 to 2 inches or more into the body, providing deep heat and raising your core body temperature from within. The deep heat of far infrared is why scholars believe that the Ondol (traditional Korean warm floor) is good for health, as the materials for the Ondol—stone and earth—radiate far infrared waves when heated.

Far infrared rays consist of wavelengths similar to those emitted naturally by the human body. This is one potential explanation of why many people feel energetically rejuvenated and balanced from contact with far infrared waves. It is also believed that far infrared waves help improve blood circulation and recovery from fatigue. Near and mid infrared range from 0.75 – 5.5 microns and enhance the benefits of far infrared. With deeper penetration, full spectrum infrared can raise your core body temperature faster, aid in wound healing by bringing more blood to the affected area, reduce inflammation, and more. We estimate an additional 10-15% benefit from a full spectrum sauna.

Tests have shown that the energy output of far infrared heaters is tuned so closely to the body's own radiant energy that our bodies absorb as much as 93% of the far infrared waves that reach our skin. By comparison, conventional saunas rely only on indirect means of heat: first, convection (air currents), and then conduction (direct contact of hot air with the skin) to produce their heating effect. Infrared saunas are best used at temperatures between 100° to 125°F, versus 180° to 220°F for traditional hot-air saunas. Since conventional saunas require 30 to 90 minutes of warm-up before use, electricity costs are significantly higher than those of infrared saunas, which are ready to use in 10-15 minutes.

Infrared saunas use low-EMF carbon/ceramic heaters that produce invisible, far-infrared heat. This is the same type of heat produced by the sun and our bodies. Infrared heat is very safe and not at all like the heat produced by microwaves. In an infrared sauna, only 20% of the energy is used to heat the air, leaving the rest of the energy to heat the body directly. The radiant heat can penetrate deep below the skin, producing a gentle warming inside the body.

The temperature inside an infrared sauna is adjustable and averages a comfortable 100°F to 130°F. These lower temperatures allow you to sweat faster and tolerate longer sauna sessions, offering greater therapeutic benefits. Typical sessions last 20 to 45 minutes and can be repeated once or twice during the day to maximize benefits. Infrared saunas leave you feeling invigorated, not depleted like conventional saunas.

Infrared heaters warm the body in the same manner as natural sunlight. Infrared heat therapy uses the wavelength of the visible and non-visible light spectrum of sunlight that heats the body normally. Traditional saunas raise the temperature of the air to a very high level within the chamber to warm the body. Some people have difficulty breathing in this extremely warm air. Infrared saunas work differently. Instead of heating the air within the enclosure, infrared saunas heat the body directly. The result is deeper tissue penetration. In an infrared sauna, the body perspires and receives all of the healthy benefits while avoiding the harmful and extremely hot air of a traditional steam sauna.