INFRARED SAUNA FACTS

Infrared saunas are increasingly popular in the wellness community for a number of reasons including the numerous health benefits and they just make you feel good! What exactly is an infrared sauna? Before we dive into what infrared saunas are, we should first understand infrared wavelengths.



Infrared Wavelengths

The sun produces a combination of visible and invisible light, and one of those invisible spectrums is infrared rays. Invisible infrared wavelengths are what makes the sun feel warm (and ultraviolet wavelengths are what makes it bright). Scientists have established that infrared waves are beneficial to the human body as they increase the thermal energy in the body. Infrared does this without any of the harmful rays of sunlight.



There are three main categories of the infrared spectrum: near infrared, mid infrared, and far infrared.



Near Infrared is the shortest wavelength but penetrates the deepest. It has the distinct property that it is not captured by the water of the body allowing it to penetrate the deepest to increase your core thermal energy. Near infrared is associated with photobiomodulation which directly produces energy within the cells through ATP stimulation.

Mid infrared wavelengths are also captured by water molecules while temporarily increasing circulation through vasodilation, promoting temporary increase in blood flow and temporarily elevating heart rate and overall metabolism.

Far infrared is the closest of the wavelengths to the infrared heat given off by our own body. Far infrared is readily captured by the water molecules in the body and releasing its energy. Our bodies actually give off far infrared wavelengths at about 9.4 microns. Since far infrared wavelengths feel very natural and normal to us, our energy is temporarily enhanced and strengthened.

What is an Infrared Sauna?



While we call our Clearlight Infrared models “Saunas”, they are really infrared therapy cabins. It just so happens that the sauna environment is a great environment to deliver infrared as you are not wearing any clothing and you are surrounded by the infrared heat. The black panels you see inside the sauna are our True Wave® far infrared heaters. In our Sanctuary sauna models, the black, vertical front heaters are our True Wave full spectrum heaters offering near, mid and far infrared.



Rather than use steam or the traditional “box of hot rocks” heating elements, the infrared sauna heaters use the infrared spectrum listed above to promote relaxation and other wellness benefits. In an infrared sauna, the air temperature is less important than the quality of the infrared heat. Just warm up your Clearlight® infrared sauna for about 15 minutes and get in. You will warm up with the sauna. As your body absorbs the infrared heat, this will increase thermal energy inducing a deep and relaxing sweat. Using your infrared sauna at lower temperatures means you can stay in longer and get more benefit.



Infrared Saunas Versus Traditional and Steam Saunas

The main difference between infrared saunas and traditional saunas is how they use heat. Traditional saunas use a single heater that is heating the air and this hot air heats the user. In contrast, infrared saunas use advanced therapy to promote heat generation in the body with only a small percentage of the heat heating the air. This results in a deeper sweat and at a lower ambient air temperature. In fact, infrared saunas usually operate between 115° – 135°F, while traditional saunas can get up to 195°F.



You will get all of the relaxation benefits of a traditional infrared sauna along with the increased health benefits that infrared offers all at a much more comfortable temperature. Infrared saunas are also dry saunas and many users find this makes for a more comfortable sauna session.



Not only are infrared saunas extremely beneficial, but they are also more efficient and require less electricity (according to Livestrong.com, a traditional sauna is almost three times as expensive to run as an infrared sauna). That also means that the warm-up time of an infrared sauna is much quicker than a traditional sauna.



Our Sanctuary Full Spectrum Saunas offer near, mid, and far infrared technologies and our Premier Far Infrared Saunas offer all of the benefits of far infrared heat. Surround Yourself In Wellness in a Clearlight® infrared sauna. Click here to see our full line of indoor and outdoor infrared saunas.

WHAT IS INFRARED RADIANT HEAT?

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 wavelengths not visible to the naked eye. Out of 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

Clearlight Premier IS-2 Infrared Sauna Side

Far infrared waves penetrate into our body and activate the sweat glands. The sweat glands are one of the tools that the body has at hand to eliminate toxins. The skin is actually the largest organ of the human body and has been called many times; “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 elimination. Bring the benefits of an infrared sauna into your home with a new Clearlight® infrared sauna.



A research paper that was published decades ago by researchers S.Inouye and M. Kabaya showed that far infrared has the ability to cause a vibration in human tissue if wavelengths similar to the ones produced by the body are introduced. This is similar to the effects demonstrated in infrared spectroscopy. When introduced in 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 gasses and other toxic materials to be released to be eliminated.



Full Spectrum Infrared

Infrared panel

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



Near Infrared is the shortest wavelength, and will be absorbed just below the surface of the skin creating a sweat that promotes healing and revitalization.



Mid infrared is a longer wavelength that can penetrate deeper into the body’s soft tissue increasing circulation, releasing oxygen to reach injured areas.



Far infrared is the longest wavelength which penetrates the fat cells causing vasodilation, where the fat cells vibrate to expel toxins, resulting in the greatest levels of detoxification and stimulate your metabolism to aid in weight-loss.

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 damages 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 throughout the world. Clearlight® infrared saunas use our state of the art True Wave™ heaters.



The efficacy of infrared waves is very broad and the subject of recent study by NASA. Among the infrared waves, the far infrared rays, which have a wavelength of 6-12 microns, are especially good for the human body. These waves have the potential to penetrate 1.5 to 2 inches or more into the body allowing for deep heat and raise your core body temperature from deep inside. The deep heat of far infrared is why scholars believe that the Ondol (traditional warm floor of Korea) is good for health because the materials for the Ondol are stone and earth, both of which radiate far infrared waves when heated.



The far infrared rays consist of similar wavelengths as those emitted naturally by the human body. This is one potential explanation of why many 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 the deeper penetration, full spectrum infrared will raise your core body temperature faster, aids in wound healing by bringing more blood to the affected area, helps reduce inflammation and much more. We estimate 10-15% additional benefit from a full spectrum sauna.



WHY INFRARED TECHNOLOGY?

Tests have shown that the energy output of our True Wave™ 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 must rely only on indirect means of heat: first, on convection (air currents) and then, conduction (direct contact of hot air with the skin) to produce its heating effect. Your Clearlight Infrared Sauna is 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 reported to be a lot higher than those of Clearlight Infrared Saunas which are ready to use in 10-15 minutes.

Heat imagery

WHY INFRARED TECHNOLOGY?

Infrared image of a crowd of people

Infrared heat is all around us. This photo shows everything emits and receives infrared heat. This image was taken with a camera that takes a regular photograph and an infrared image of the subjects at the exact same time.



The human body emits and receives infrared heat in the far infrared band. Other surfaces, like a warm street or heated vending cart, give off infrared in the middle and near infrared band.



Do you want to experience far infrared heat right now? Take you hands and put your palms together. Move your hands about 1/2 an inch apart. You will feel warmth emanating from your palms. This is far infrared heat very similar to the infrared heat emitted from our True Wave™ heaters. Radiant far infrared is all around us and is essential for human life.



WHY IS INFRARED HEAT BETTER THAN TRADITIONAL SAUNA?

Clearlight® infrared saunas use low-EMF True Wave™ Carbon/Ceramic heaters that produce invisible, far-infrared heat. This is the same type of heat as 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 percent of the energy is used to heat the air, leaving the rest of the energy to heat the body. 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 to tolerate a longer sauna session offering greater therapeutic benefit. Typical sessions last 20 to 45 minutes and can be repeated once or twice during the day to maximize the 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 but avoids the harmful and extremely hot air of a traditional steam sauna.



Different forms of light and their wavelengths


Your Clearlight® infrared sauna produces the same infrared heat produced by the sun and Infrared heat is required for all living things for optimum health. This radiant heat increases the thermal energy in joints, muscles and tissues. When used as intended as part of a healthy lifestyle, Clearlight® infrared saunas may help living well with certain chronic diseases or conditions.


Infrared heat is all around us and you hve felt it from sources like fire, heated sand on the beach and the sun (without the harmful ultraviolet waves that the sun gives off). Just as visible light has a range of wavelengths (running from red to violet), so does infrared light: longer wavelength infrared waves are thermal, while short or near infrared waves are not hot at all, in fact, you cannot even feel them. Near and mid infrared enhance the benefits of far infrared.


THE TOP 8 FAR INFRARED SAUNA HEALTH BENEFITS


Woman stretching

WEIGHT LOSS & INCREASED METABOLISM

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, regular use of a sauna imparts a similar boost on the cardiovascular system as running. As you relax in the gentle infrared heat, your body is hard at work producing sweat, pumping blood, and burning calories.



As your body increases sweat production to cool itself, your heart works harder to pump blood at a greater rate to boost circulation. This increase in your metabolism may burn calories. Read more about infrared sauna weight loss.



TEMPORARY MUSCLE PAIN RELIEF

Using your Clearlight® infrared sauna as intended as part of a healthy lifestyle promotes the temporary increase in blood flow to muscles and may offer temporary relief of arthritic pain.

Muscles relax best when tissues are warm for greater flexibility and range of motion. Far Infrared heat may help relieve muscle tension by increasing the thermal energy in your muscles.


BETTER SLEEP

Maintaining a cool body temperature is important for falling asleep. It explains why you have trouble sleeping on especially hot summer nights and why it’s easier to sleep when your bedroom is cool and dark. You can hack your body’s thermoregulation process by warming your body in an infrared sauna then allowing it to cool down after. This quick cool-down speeds up the process for your brain to fall asleep. The end result is a cool body that’s primed for sleep.



DETOXIFICATION

“It has been known for decades that sweating is a wonderful way to get rid of stored chemicals, including heavy metals. In fact, sauna is one of the detoxification procedures used in the Environmental Units in Dallas (Dr. William Rea) and North Charleston (Dr. Allan Lieberman) where the sickest of folks go to heal.” Dr. Sherry Rogers, Total Wellness, May 2000.



Bottle with mint and lime

Woman's legs

IMPROVES APPEARANCE OF CELLULITE

Since the far infrared radiant heat of Clearlight Infrared Saunas®increases thermal energy in tissue, it is effective at temporarily reducing cellulite. There is a direct link between the slowing of metabolic rates and the storage of toxins in fat cells. Sauna use and far infrared heat can temporarily increase heart rate and promote a temporary increase in localized blood circulation. This may reverse the above-mentioned trends towards the accumulation of liquids in the fat cells to reduce the appearance of cellulite.



EASE JOINT PAIN AND STIFFNESS

Infrared heat may temporarily ease joint pain and stiffness. Increased thermal energy to the joints may promote a temporary increase in blood flow. Increased thermal energy may reduce stiffness and increase range of motion.



Woman stretching

A woman smiling in meditation pose

STRESS AND FATIGUE REDUCTION

Just a few minutes in the gentle warmth of an infrared sauna will help you feel relaxed, rejuvenated and renewed.



Many Clearlight® sauna customers comment on how much they look forward to their Clearlight Infrared Sauna® session, as it’s a great time to get away and release any built-up tension and stress. It’s like having a day spa in your home, open all the time for your convenience.



IMPROVES SKIN

The profuse sweating achieved after just a few minutes in your Clearlight Sauna will allow impurities in the pores to come out. The temporary increase in local blood circulation may help reduce the risk of certain chronic skin conditions.