Is Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna Worth It?
Infrared saunas are becoming steadily popular these days and past few years, as shown in this Google search trend. One reason is that infrared saunas allow for deeper tissue penetration while still making the experience more tolerable and comfortable. This is in contrast to traditional saunas which are extremely uncomfortable because of the high temperatures.
In addition, there have been studies conducted by the US NASA about the potential benefits and effects of infrared waves on the human body. For example, there was a study done about the effects of near-infrared light therapy on wound healing.
Other studies done by researchers from different institutions explored how infrared waves precondition the skin for the coming midday harsh ultraviolet rays and how infrared can affect cellular functions on a biological and molecular scale.
What is full spectrum infrared?
Earlier, we mentioned a study done using near-infrared light therapy. Here, near-infrared is just one of the ranges of infrared wavelength where near-infrared is the shortest. Other ranges of infrared wavelength are the mid-infrared and far-infrared.
In the context of saunas, those that provide a full spectrum of infrared waves mean that these can deliver a complete range of infrared wavelengths. This way, sauna customers acquire all the benefits from near-, mid- and far-infrared waves.
A full spectrum of infrared exposure within a safe and reasonable time span (e.g. 30 or 45 minutes) can provide several benefits enabled and facilitated by infrared of different wavelengths. For example, in the shortest wavelength (near-infrared), this can catalyse sweating which is what saunas are popular for. In the mid-infrared, this can help increase circulation and oxygen delivery. In the far-infrared, where deeper penetration happens, this can affect our cells and tissues at a molecular level. This can provide additional health benefits because of the deeper penetration and direct influence on our cells.
Several researchers have already conducted biomedical laboratory studies on the effects and use of far-infrared waves. These studies are only scratching the surface on the potential benefits and uses of far-infrared on health, scientific and medical applications. This field of study about infrared waves is a rapidly expanding area, as scientists are continuously searching for more effective and direct treatments which can work on a cellular and molecular level. Here, infrared has always been in the spotlight because of its common and safe use.