1. Clearing Up The Confusion: What is Near Infrared (NIR), Far Infrared (FIR) and Red Light Therapy? If your sauna manufacturer claims near infrared technology, ask “What is the source of the near infrared lights, where are the near infrared lights located within the sauna and what is the surface area of these lights?”
Far infrared (IFR) is a specific range in the infrared spectrum of light that has been shown in scientific studies to be beneficial in health applications including improving rheumatoid arhritis1, vascular flow2, chronic fatigue3; promoting skin circulation4, nitric oxide production5, woud healing6; strategies for cardiovascular disease, heart failure, peripheral artery disease7,8., detoxification and more.
Far infrared saunas differ from conventional saunas because the far infrared heat generated, directly penetrates your body but does not warm the air around you to the same degree as in a conventional sauna – which is why far infrared saunas are used in homes, health spas, and practitioners’ clinics. The beneficial effects of a far conventional sauna are produced at a much lower temperature than in a conventional sauna. FIR sauna temperature ranges are typically 115-150°F (46-65°C).
Near Infrared:
There is a lot of research available on tissue repair, pain relief and other health benefits with the specific use of LED lights and lasers in the near infrared and red light wavelengths in a very specific frequency of 630 – 940 nm (nanometers)9. I have not found any scientific research at al supporting that red heat lamps (purchased from a hardware store) have the same health benefits.
Far Infrared is the frequency cited in clinical studies on sauna use. After much searching, I have yet to find published health research or studies applied to infrared saunas using lights/heaters in the near infrared range. As you see in the table below, LED’s, Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and red lights are different frequencies and technology altogether.
- Far Infrared Range: 3 – 1000* microns (or micrometers) *Most scientific studies on infrared saunas cite the far infrared rage of 5-20 microns.
- Near Infrared Range: 0.7-1.4 microns or 700-1400 nanometers.
- Red Light Range: 0.63 – 0.7 microns or 630 – 700 nanometers
Our bodies generate far infrared waves in a range of 6 to 20 microns. Japanese medical researches have found that the optimal micron output range of a far infrared sauna is between 7 and 14 microns, often called the Vital Zone, which appears to have regenerative effects on our bodies.
In far infrared saunas, less than 20% of the infrared energy heats the air leaving over 80% available to be directly converted to heat within our bodies. This allows for a greater depth of heat penetration while the surrounding air remains at a relatively low temperature. This difference may explain the unprecedented health benefits of far infrared saunas not attainable with conventional saunas.
Should there be valid published research showing near infrared lights/heaters are being used in an infrared sauna and yield the same benefits as shown in the research on lasers and LED’s, I would appreciate receiving this research. Until that time, I will stay in the far infrared range in our saunas, for that is what the present scientific research supports.
2. An Infrared Sauna should be completely non-toxic so your sauna experience does not contribute to your overall toxic body-burden. Ask your sauna supplier to provide testing results from a government certified independent lab showing that the entire sauna (not just the sauna parts or the heaters tested in isolation) has zero VOC’S.
What are VOC’s?
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’S) are organic compounds that become hazardous vapors and gases and can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, skin problems and increase one’s toxic load. Higher concentrations of VOC’s may be carcinogenic and may cause irriation of the lungs, as well as damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system.
Some VOC’S include: benzene, solvents, tetrachloroethylene, methyl chloride, perchloroethylene, and formaldehyde.
In some manufacturing, you will find hidden within the frame of an infrared sauna, plywood or MDF (medium density fiberboard) which off-gasses formaldehyde (a toxic VOC and a Class B carcinogen per the Environmental Protection Agency). A sauna company should be able to provide you with the testing from an independent government certified lab showing that the entire sauna (not just some of the parts) has been thoroughly tested for VOC’S.
Radiant Health SaunasTM are independently tested and show zero VOC’s.
3. Look for very low EMF (Electromagnetic Field) levels. Ask your sauna company to provide you with a report from an independent government certified lab showing that the whole sauna has been tested (not just the heaters tested in isolation) and is very low in EMF’s.
If an average reading is given, all the readings should be taken at “point of body contact”. Point of body contact is where one sits against the wooden slats in front of the heaters.
What are EMF’s?
Electromagnetic fields (EMF’s) and Electrical Fields (EF;S) can be emitted from many forms of technology such as power lines, home wiring and many applicances in undesirable frequencies.
Studies show potential correlation of exposure to these types of EMF’s with neurobehavioral issues in children10 and neuroendocrine disruption in children and adolescents11.
In conversations with practitioners over two decades, many believe these undesirable electromagnetic fields are distruptive and can contribute to increased anxiety, disrupted circadian rhythms, insomnia and depression in sensitive individuals.
Testing the whole sauna for EMF and EF levels by an independent government certified lab is prudent because a sauna use is exposed to the whole sauna during sauna use, including electrical connections and wiring which can emit high EMF’s. Many sauna manufacturers test only the heaters in isolation. Testing should be done at the “point of body contact” which is where a sauna user sits or leans agains the wooden slats in front of the heaters.
Considered to be standard of excellence in the sauna industry, Swedish Standards (TCO) are 2 mG (milligauss) or less for EMF’s.
Radiant Health SaunasTM are tested with a trifield gauss meter at 114 different locations within the sauna, averaging a very low 0.3 mG at the “point of body contact”.
4. Carbon Fiber heaters vs. ceramic heaters. Which kind would be the best and are there ample heaters to avoid hot/cold spots?
Radiant Health SaunasTM use only high quality carbon fiber heaters. These heaters utilize Japanese technology and allow much more surface area against one’s body an dmore consistent heating. The lower surface temperature of the carbon fiber heaters is more comfortable and has the benefit of increasing the micron wavelength, bringing it more into the ideal 7-14 micron far infrared range. My experience with ceramic heaters is that they produce hot and cold sports within the sauna, which is not the ideal sauna experience.
For over 20 years, Radiant Health SaunasTM has sold far infrared saunas to the practitioner and healthcare communities and individual consumers. The feedback from hundreds of clients has enabled us to create and continually perfect our far infrared saunas.
Below is a link to our website and to a number of articles and research papers on the benefits of sweating in general and additional articles specifically on the benefits of far infrared therapy and far infrared saunas.
All the best,
Randy Gomm B.Sc.
https://www.radianthealthsaunas.com/
https://www.radianthealthsaunas.com/articles-infrared-sauna/
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17267744
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15992574
4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16606412
5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16565566
6 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12773705
7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20154403
8 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2920465