1. What is FIR?
Infrared is the band of light we perceive as heat. We cannot see this band of light with the naked eye, but we can feel this type of light in the form of heat. Our sun produces most of its energy output in the infrared segment of the spectrum. Infrared rays heat your body without having to heat the air in-between, through a process called conversion.
The infrared is divided into 3 segments by wavelengths, measured in microns; 0.76~1.5 microns-near, 1.5~5.6 microns-middle and 5.6~1000 microns-far infrared.
Among these segments, only far infrared penetrates organic substances such as the human body. Infrared heater technology is completely healthy and safe for all living things.
2. How does it benefit us?
Because infrared rays penetrate the body over 1.5 inches throughout conversion, there is a deep heating effect in the muscle tissues and internal organs without giving too much burden to our heart.
Our body reacts to the increased heating through the natural cooling process of perspiring. Through the perspiration process, acid and waste residue like toxins, sodium, alcohol, nicotine, cholesterol and the potentially carcinogenic heavy metals are removed from the cells. The skin also sheds any old skin cells, leaving it glowing and immaculately clean, with improved tone, elasticity, texture and colour.
The deep penetrating heat also stimulates the heart to send more blood to the body cells to increase blood circulation, which improves many symptoms.
3. How safe is it?
Far infrared is very safe to use and experts agree that there are no side effects. Health professionals have used red infrared heat lamps for decades to treat muscle and joint problems. In hospital baby care units, incubators are often equipped with infrared heating systems to keep new born babies warm.
4. What are the benefits of infrared sauna?
a) Burns calories and controls weight
As you relax in the gentle heat of the far infrared sauna, your body is actually at work, producing sweat, pumping blood and burning calories. In a single sauna session you may burn as many calories as you would be running or jogging for 30 minutes.
b) Increases blood circulation and strengthens the cardiovascular system
As your body increases sweat production to cool itself, your heart works harder pumping blood at a greater rate to boost and increase circulation, supplying the conditioning benefits of continuous exercise. Heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate increase, while diastolic blood pressure drops, for improved overall cardiovascular fitness.
c) Relieves pain
The deep heat of the far infrared sauna helps peripheral blood vessels dilate, bringing relief and healing to muscle and soft tissue injuries. It increases blood flow to oxygen-depleted muscles, so they recover faster. Muscles relax most readily when tissues are warm, for greater flexibility and range of motion.
d) Eases joint pain and stiffness
Radiant heat therapy is widely used to treat patients suffering from many forms of arthritis. In addition, it has been proved effective in the treatment of sprains, neuralgia, bursitis, muscle spasms, joint stiffness and many other muscular-skeletal ailments. Much of the stiffness, aches and soreness that come with aging is reduced or eliminated.
e) Clears cellulite
Beauty specialists routinely incorporate daily saunas in programs to reduce cellulite. And because the far radiant heat of the far infrared sauna warms thrice as deeply as conventional saunas, it is significantly more effective at reducing cellulite.
f) Removes toxins and mineral waste
Increased blood circulation stimulates the sweat glands, releasing built-up toxins and waste. Daily sweating can help detoxify your body as it rids itself of an accumulation of potentially carcinogenic heavy metals (lead, mercury, zinc, nickel, cadmium) as well as alcohol, nicotine, sodium, sulfuric acid and cholesterol.
g) Improves skin
The profuse sweating achieved after just a few minutes in the far infrared sauna carries off deeply imbedded impurities and dead skin cells, leaving the skin glowing and immaculately clean. Increased circulation draws your skin's own natural nutrients to the surface. You'll see improved tone, elasticity, texture and fresh colour. Increased blood circulation has also been shown to relieve acne, eczema, psoriasis, burns, lesions and cuts. In addition, open wounds heal more quickly, reducing scarring.
h) Improves the immune system
Sauna's deep heat raises your body temperature, inducing an artificial fever. As it works to combat the "fever", your body's immune system is strengthened. Combined with the elimination of toxins and wastes produced by the intense sweating, your overall health and resistance to disease is increased.
i) Reduces stress and fatigue
Just a few minutes in the gentle warmth of your far infrared sauna gives you an overall massaging effect, soothing jangled nerves and knotted muscles. You'll feel rejuvenated and renewed, restored in both body and mind.
5. What are the differences between infrared saunas and traditional saunas?
Apart from the benefits that FIR therapy gives you, there are some other significant differences.
Infrared saunas operate at a maximum temperature of 65°C while traditional saunas have to operate at much higher temperatures to produce similar effects. The lower temperature of FIR will provide much better comfort for the user while the higher temperatures of the steam sauna can be unbearable for some people.
Because far infrared heat penetrates deeper into your skin, you will sweat much more profusely and therefore FIR therapy is much more effective in burning calories and detox.
