In the health and wellness community, on Instagram, and in Hollywood celebrity circles, infrared saunas have developed quite the reputation for themselves. In addition to the numerous health benefits associated with infrared saunas, users routinely walk out feeling great after a sauna session. But, if you’re new to the world of infrared saunas, you might not know how they work or what exactly they are.
Understanding infrared sauna wavelengths
Infrared saunas are built around wavelengths. The sun, as a source of heat, produces a combination of visible and invisible waves. Among the invisible are infrared waves. Infrared wavelengths are what makes the sun feel warm, as opposed to something like ultraviolet wavelengths which make it appear bright. Infrared waves are easily absorbed into our bodies, activating our immune, cardiovascular, and lymphatic systems. In an infrared sauna, they also work to remove toxins.
The differences between infrared wavelengths
There are three different wavelengths which can be used in an infrared sauna – near infrared, mid-infrared, and far infrared. ‘Near infrared’ has a short wavelength and is absorbed just below the skin’s surface. Through near infrared, your core body temperature is raised and it’s this wavelength which helps with skin purification and anti-aging rejuvenation.
‘Mid-infrared’ is a longer infrared wavelength and penetrates deeper into the body’s soft tissue. Through mid-infrared, you’ll enjoy increased circulation and more oxygen will be released to injured areas. Lastly, there’s ‘far infrared’. This has the longest wavelength and penetrates even deeper into the body. If you’re seeking detoxification, increased metabolism, improved circulation, relaxed muscles, reduced joint pain, and maximum effects, far infrared is what you want.
How infrared saunas work
Infrared saunas used infrared wavelengths to penetrate your body and heat it from the inside. Compared to more traditional sauna heating elements, temperatures in the air are largely unaffected. Relaxation and other health benefits are initiated using infrared sauna technology which focuses on heating the body rather than the air around it.
Infrared saunas, steam rooms, and traditional saunas
The main difference between infrared saunas, steam, and traditional saunas is how each produces heat. For example, traditional saunas use a single heater to heat the air and it’s this which heats the user. In steam saunas, steam is produced using rocks to heat the air around a user which heats the user, similar to non-infrared saunas. Comparatively, infrared saunas use advanced technologies to heat the user directly with only a small percentage of heat heating the air. Through infrared, you experience a deeper sweat and at a lower air temperature. A traditional sauna may get up to 195 Fahrenheit – as opposed to infrared saunas which may operate as low as 115 Fahrenheit.
Why so many users love infrared saunas is because they produce less heat and are a lot more comfortable than traditional saunas. They also provide increased health benefits and infrared saunas use as much as three times less energy to operate than a traditional sauna. For all these reasons, it’s infrared saunas which are sought after by the majority of health and wellness enthusiasts. If you’re looking to purchase an infrared sauna for your home or place of business, speak with a representative at Steam Sauna today. Providing you with all the benefits of infrared heat, choose from a wide range of premium infrared sauna models.