Far Infrared Sauna Detoxification

You can't see it, but you can feel it. Unlike ultraviolet light, infrared light warms you without burning your skin. You can be exposed to it for hours without experiencing any harm. In fact, far infrared light - light at the far end of the infrared spectrum - has many health benefits. A far infrared sauna is designed to deliver these benefits most effectively.

These saunas are equipped with infrared heaters. The infrared waves from the heaters penetrate the skin, warm the body and cause it to sweat. Thus, they are not like other kinds of saunas in that they do not use steam or heated air.

The best sauna heaters emit far infrared waves within a range of seven to 14 microns. Your body naturally emits far infrared waves between six and 20 microns. Seven to 14 microns include the "vital rays" of far infrared that seem to have regenerative effects on the human body.

Water molecules resonate, or vibrate, at a wavelength of 9.4 microns, which is within the vital range of far infrared that infrared saunas emit. The resonance releases toxins, such as mercury, aluminum, cholesterol, sulfur and formaldehyde from the cells. Because the micron output is optimal, the far infrared heat penetrates more deeply. This deeper heating improves pain relief, detoxification, circulation and peripheral blood flow.

Carbon infrared saunas appear to be the most effective in delivering optimal infrared wavelengths. The far infrared waves generated heat your body from the inside, so the air remains cooler and more comfortable than in a traditional sauna. The therapeutic far infrared waves raise the body's core temperature, resulting in a much deeper and therefore more detoxifying sweat that has more health benefits. Traditional saunas do not raise your body's core temperature as effectively.

The saunas have been found effective in lowering blood pressure, purifying skin, detoxification, therapeutic relaxation, weight loss, pain relief and improving circulation. Among the disorders that appear to respond to far infrared are chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, fibromyalgia and some skin problems.

In one study conducted at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, subjects between ages 21 and 65 received sauna sessions in a far infrared sauna or a sauna that emitted heat but not far infrared. The far infrared sauna was found to lower blood pressure a statistically significant amount. Systolic pressure fell from an average of 130.5 to 124. Other studies are or have been conducted to determine the extent of other health benefits.

The future of far infrared sauna detoxification, sauna weight loss and other applications of infrared saunas look bright. The fact that the technology makes it easy to have personal, home and even portable infrared saunas seems likely to increase the use and popularity of infrared saunas for their variety of health benefits.