WHY INFRARED SAUNAS?
Sunlight contains all the colors of the rainbow, plus a number of invisible forms of light, including the infrared and ultraviolet spectrum. The infrared spectrum of light is quite large. Research has found that human beings produce infrared heat in the “far infrared range,” centered at 9.4 microns. Infrared heat in this range of wavelength is the most natural and the healthiest for the body. This wavelength of infrared heat penetrates in the tissue up to 1 ½ inches and begins a process of expelling stagnant substances that have accumulated in the body.
This infrared frequency range that’s both produced by the body and comprises the healthy rays of sunlight, is experienced in Clearlight® infrared saunas. This penetrating heat gently raises the body’s core temperature and allows the body to detox naturally via the process of sweat, through the largest organ of the body – the skin. In addition, on a cellular level, the body feels the same elevated circulation, warmth, and energy that is usually felt only from exercise.
INFRARED SAUNAS AND TRADITIONAL SAUNAS
A traditional sauna, such as what you might find at a gym, has a box-shaped heater with hot rocks on top of it. This type sauna heats the air and then the air warms the person. A typical traditional sauna will operate at 180ºF to 200ºF. Many people find it difficult to breath and relax at these high heat levels and as a result, don’t stay in the sauna for more than 5 or 10 minutes. If you think about it, our bodies aren’t designed to function in this high temperature range. It creates a stressful, rather than a stress-free environment. There’s no place on earth where we would naturally experience such high air temperatures other than, perhaps, being too close to an active volcano.
In a far infrared sauna, the normal operating temperature is a dry 100ºF to 130ºF – very relaxing and comfortable, rather than stress-inducing. This is a temperature range that we would naturally experience in a desert and on many places on earth on a hot, summer day.
In a traditional sauna, the body sweats in reaction to being in a hot environment – sweating is a superficial, topical, cooling reaction. In a far infrared sauna, the bio-identical infrared heat penetrates deep into the tissues, slightly raising the body’s core temperature, causing the body to sweat like it does during intense exercise. This sweat is coming from a deeper place and in turn, creates a deeper form of detoxification than is found in a traditional box-of-hot-rocks sauna.
FULL SPECTRUM INFRARED
Full spectrum refers to the entire infrared spectrum: near infrared, mid infrared and far infrared. With the addition of powerful heaters emitting all 3 infrared wavelengths, you’ll receive the maximum benefit from your Clearlight® 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 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. Clearlight® Full Spectrum emitters have been designed after a high quality full spectrum heater manufactured by Philips Electronics specifically for saunas. Click here for further information about the Philips infrared halogen 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 into the body slightly elevating your core body temperature from within.
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, aides in wound healing by bringing more blood to the effected area, helps reduce inflammation and much more. Clearlight® estimates 10-15% additional benefit from a full spectrum sauna.
HOW SAFE IS INFRARED HEAT?
Infrared heat is all around us – it’s essential for human life and all life on our planet. This photo shows the infrared heat emitted by the human body. You can see how the greatest amounts of heat come from the core rather than the extremities.
The far infrared rays in Clearlight® infrared saunas consist of similar wavelengths as those emitted naturally by the human body. For this reason, infrared heat is so safe. In fact, it’s been used for decades in hospitals as the warming mechanism in incubators for preemie babies. These healthy, life-giving rays, without the harmful UV rays of the sun, are part of the far infrared wavelength.
The bio-identical wavelength frequency of infrared heat, is one potential explanation of why many feel energetically reinvigorated and balanced from exposure to far infrared waves. In the same way that they nourish and warm a preemie, the infrared rays penetrate deeply to promote healing and revitalization in each of us.
