Infrared sauna: both healing and pleasurable

Heat is a long-known treatment tool. People have been using heat for the treatment of rheumatism, radiculitis, inflammation, gout, neuralgia and other diseases since ancient times. When the body temperature rises, leukocytes (white blood cells) are mobilized, the body’s defense forces and the immune system are activated. When the heat is applied, the feeling of well-being improves, the symptoms of illness are reduced.

Infrared (abbreviation IR used worldwide) procedures not only help health, but also relax, allowing you to take a breather from everyday worries. Unlike traditional saunas, infrared saunas provide gentle, soothing therapeutic heat that promotes relaxation and improves sleep. However, many people still have questions about infrared saunas. In this article, we will try to answer the most frequently asked questions about IR saunas.

What is infrared?

Infrared rays are a form of energy that warms objects and does not heat the air. This process involves many healing reactions, and the rays do not cause any harm. Infrared rays are like the heat of the sun or our natural body heat. All warm bodies emit infrared radiation. Throughout our evolution, we have walked hand in hand with the sun and its infrared rays. Have you noticed when when it is very cold outside, suddenly the clouds part, the sun comes out and you immediately feel warm? Not because the rising sun heated up the air in a few seconds, raising the air temperature, just infrared rays through the clothes, penetrated the body and started heating from the inside. The air temperature has not changed, but the body is warm precisely because of the infrared rays of the sun, which heat the body from the inside.

How do infrared saunas affect a person?

The heat emitted by infrared heaters penetrates the body up to 4-7 cm, although the air heats up to only 45-55° C. The body absorbs up to 93% of the emitted infrared heat, so the emitted energy is precisely adapted to the body’s energy. Infrared heat provides all the healthy benefits of natural sunlight without any of the dangerous effects of solar radiation. The sun emits a wide spectrum of rays, and infrared rays are one of the best and healthiest parts of the radiation you can get from the sun, unlike ultraviolet rays for example.

When can the infrared sauna be used?

The infrared sauna can be prepared for use in 5-10 minutes, it can be used spontaneously, without prior planning, and just 30-45 minutes is enough. duration of the session. Such a sauna can be used daily, but doctors recommend limiting the use of the infrared sauna to 45 minutes. per day. And this is not because infrared radiation is harmful to the human body, but because being in an infrared sauna causes a lot of sweating and without properly replenishing water reserves can lead to dehydration.

Can saunas help you get rid of unwanted excess weight?

According to nutritionists, toxic substances that the body is unable to eliminate through certain organs are stored in fat tissue. A temperature of at least 39°C is required to break down fat tissue. The thermal effect of the energy emitted by infrared rays makes it possible to reach the above-mentioned temperature in the fat tissue without burdening the circulatory system, so the concentration of released toxic substances (compared to a conventional hot air sauna) is significantly higher. At this temperature, fat breaks down into particles and is more easily sweated out during exercise, expelled from the body through bodily functions, including infrared-induced sweating. Infrared saunas can restore the balance of the skin and give the body the opportunity to eliminate cellulite along with sweat. Guyton and Hall’s Textbook of medical physiology states that one gram of sweat burns 0.586 kcal. It is also stated that a person of average physical condition can easily produce up to half a liter of sweat while sweating in a sauna, consuming 300 kcal. This corresponds to a distance of 3.5 – 5 km.

Who can use infrared saunas?

It can also be used by those who normally do not tolerate heat: children, more sensitive or elderly people, patients with cardiovascular diseases. In any case, especially if you have health problems, you should consult your doctor first. Infrared therapy has been used in medicine for many years, there is a lot of research on this topic, so you can definitely find a lot of information in each specific case.

How to use the infrared sauna?

Using an infrared sauna is easy. You only need to turn it on, set the desired temperature and time. InfraSaunas do not require any special preparation: there is no need to bring water supply or sewerage, ventilation, no need to increase the power of electricity, etc. Typically, the entire infrared cabin consumes 1.5-2.5 kW, which is often less than a conventional electric kettle, microwave or electric oven.

Infrared cabins are intended for indoor use. In the premises, they can be placed wherever you wish, it is important that there is no direct access to water, because all the electronics and the control unit are installed on the roof of the infrared cabin. Since the design of infrared cabins is visually attractive, in most cases they are not hidden in the furthest corner of the house, now it is fashionable to build them even in bedrooms, glazed balconies, apartment buildings, etc. etc.

Is the maintenance and use of the Infrasauna expensive?

The power of infrared saunas is about 2 kW, the session lasts about 45-50 minutes with preparation, at today’s electricity prices, electricity is consumed at 0.2 – 0.5 € for the entire session. The infrared sauna does not have any moving parts that wear out, there are no filters that need to be changed, etc. Maintenance and disinfection also do not cost extra, because infrared sauna cabins are equipped with an ozonator, which disinfects the infrared sauna cabin with the help of ozone, kills fungus and unpleasant odors. It is a one-time investment, you buy it, build it and use it for many years without any investment. Carbon fiber heating elements are calculated for at least 20,000 hours of operation, so they can be safely used not only at home, but also in public facilities, spas, gyms, etc.

What is the difference between infrared saunas?

The main difference between the saunas is their size (the saunas are adapted to feel comfortable from 1 to 6 people) and shape (rectangular or angular). Visual design solutions are available, choosing the most suitable for the interior in terms of shape, appearance, color. In most cases, infrared sauna cabins are seated, but there are also models with ergonomic beds, gaps are left in the beds, and heaters are installed under the beds to receive radiation from all sides.

What wood are infrared saunas made of?

Most infrared saunas on the market are made from two types of wood: Canadian hemlock and Canadian Red Cedar. It is these woods that are used to build saunas, because they are strong, resistant and low-toxic after drying in the oven. Canadian red cedar has more essential oils, so it should be chosen very carefully for people with allergies. Canadian pine is the most popular wood due to its price/quality ratio, its easier maintenance, non-allergenic, more uniform and uniform color, in contrast to Canadian Red Cedar, which varies in color from dark closer to the core to light closer to the outside.

What are the heating elements installed in infrared saunas?

One of the most important parameters when choosing an infrared sauna is the heating element. Heating elements are of several types: ceramic or carbon fiber. You can read more about their differences online: https://irsauna.eu/heating-elements-the-difference-between-ceramic-and-carbon-fiber/

Carbon fiber heating elements are a bit more expensive, but they have many advantages over ceramic ones. Carbon fiber elements last about four times longer (at least 20 thousand hours). Also, carbon fiber heaters are located along the entire wall of the IR sauna, so there are no cold spots in the cabin, and the infrared rays reach everywhere. It is true that ceramic heating elements heat up a few minutes faster, but they also consume incomparably more electricity.

How does an infrared sauna affect human skin?

Profuse sweating during a 40-minute infrared sauna session removes deep-seated dirt and dead skin cells. It leaves the skin glowing and flawlessly clean.

Increased circulation draws your skin’s natural nutrients to the surface. As a result, you will see improved tone, elasticity, texture and fresh color. Increased blood flow has also been shown to help clear up acne, eczema, psoriasis, burns, blemishes, cuts, and a myriad of other skin problems, each of which is backed by scientific studies and research.

Recommendations

A deep warm-up is recommended before training or sports competitions in order to reduce the risk of sports injuries. It is recommended to drink a lot of water before, during and after the thermal baths (mineral water or tea is best. A warm shower before the thermal baths session promotes more intense sweating.

It is recommended to use infrared saunas regularly and often – when sweating in infrared saunas, slags are removed from the body, blood vessels are cleaned, and the immune system is developed.
It is not recommended to cool the body with cold water. If there is an opportunity, continue to sweat in bed, because infrared rays are absorbed into the body up to 4-7 cm (this is up to 4 times deeper than in traditional saunas, so even after the session you will still sweat for a while.

The main areas for treating ailments with infrared sauna procedures are simple tissue damage, hip joint pain, menstrual pain, neurodermatitis, infectious eczema, post-operative infections, visual paralysis, diarrhea, lung and gall bladder inflammation, neurasthenia, pelvic inflammation, frostbite.