What is an Infrared Sauna?
What is an Infrared Sauna? An Expert’s Guide to Infrared Therapy
Infrared saunas have gained traction in the wellness community as an effective alternative to traditional saunas.
Introduction to Infrared Saunas
An infrared sauna has heaters that emit infrared light that directly warms your body. This direct heating method allows for a more comfortable experience at lower temperatures, making it a favorite among those who have low tolerance for heat, or find traditional saunas too hot.
Traditional Saunas vs. Infrared Saunas
Traditional saunas increase the air temperature to between 150°F to 195°F, heating the body primarily through convection. In contrast, infrared saunas provide a gentler approach by directly warming the body primarily using infrared light, also known as radiant heat. While infrared saunas can have air temperatures as high as 158°F, they are more often used between 100°F to 140°F. This difference means you can enjoy the benefits, and choose the level of heat intensity that is most comfortable for you
How do Infrared Saunas Work?
Infrared saunas utilize infrared light, which is how heat gets to the Earth from the Sun. Infrared light is categorized into three types: near infrared (NIR), mid infrared (MIR), and far infrared (FIR).
The term “full spectrum sauna” is a marketing term coined by an American sauna company in approximately 2009 to describe a sauna that includes near infrared and mid infrared, along with far infrared. Prior to that, the only infrared saunas were far infrared saunas. Because it is a marketing term, there is no single definition or regulation specifying how much near infrared or mid infrared is produced in a full spectrum sauna and, in fact, that varies wildly between sauna companies.
The three types of infrared affect the body differently. Near infrared and mid infrared are absorbed by melanin (in the skin) and hemoglobin (in the blood). In contrast, far infrared is only absorbed by water. When the infrared energy is absorbed, it vibrates bonds in those molecules causing the light to become heat in a process called resonant absorption.
The far infrared spectrum is particularly effective for sauna therapy as it is safe and interacts efficiently with the body, allowing for soothing heat penetration and optimal core body temperature increase without overly heating the surrounding air. If you put your hand in front of a far infrared heater, it feels very pleasant, similar to how the warmth from the sun feels on your face.
How do infrared heaters work?
The mechanism saunas use to produce infrared light is by heating a surface that can efficiently produce infrared. The surface temperature dictates the spectrum of infrared light and its magnitude. The material itself determines how much infrared gets produced in that spectrum and is described by a property called emissivity. The value for emissivity describes how much the infrared radiation deviates from a theoretical maximum. This method of producing infrared always produces a spectrum of light. It is the only method capable of producing mid and far infrared, and it is the only method capable of producing near infrared at high output. When near infrared is produced, the spectrum of light spills over into the visible spectrum and the heaters glow red. Far infrared heaters do not change color for this reason.
Health Benefits of Infrared Saunas
Infrared saunas are known for their numerous health benefits. They can help with muscle soreness, relaxation, increased detoxification through perspiration, and much more. The gentle heat can even offer some benefits similar to that from moderate exercise, such as improved circulation and an increased heart rate.
Safety and Considerations
While far infrared has been recognized for health benefits across numerous studies, the shorter wavelengths of infrared, near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR), have never been studied in saunas. There are some established near infrared therapies with very specific low-dose, targeted treatments, but they are not for general wellness or when used a lot over time. Outside of the narrow therapeutic doses of NIR, there are risks of negative effects from near infrared, such as skin damage and eye damage. It is impossible to deliver a safe dose of NIR or MIR in a sauna. Consequently, High Tech Health does not make a full spectrum sauna.
Is an Infrared Sauna Right For You?
Deciding whether an infrared sauna is the right choice for you may come down to what you seek in terms of health benefits, comfort, and overall sauna experience. Infrared saunas, known for their gentle heating method, might just be the perfect wellness addition you’re looking for, especially if you find traditional saunas to be a bit too intense.
Infrared saunas not only offer a more accessible and comfortable sauna experience, they also align well with a lifestyle that values efficiency, health, and wellbeing. Whether you’re looking to enhance your health routine or simply seeking a new way to relax and rejuvenate, an infrared sauna could be the perfect choice that ticks all the right boxes.
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