Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna (Near, Mid and Far)
and What it Means
WHY INFRARED SAUNAS ARE BETTER THAN OTHER SAUNAS
No matter your experience with sauna, you have probably heard about infrared by now, but you may not feel clear on how it differs from more traditional saunas, like:
- Steam sauna: turkish style that uses intense steam
- Finnish sauna: traditionally uses wood burning or hot stones
- Electric sauna: uses electricity instead of wood or stones
Infrared saunas are universally considered superior to these other three sauna types. But what is all the hype, exactly?
Instead of heating the air to warm us slowly from the outside in, infrared saunas use light (infrared light, or below light on the electromagnetic spectrum) to heat the body deeply from the cellular level right from the outset. No waiting for our tissues to warm to our core. So you get all the scientifically proven benefits of sweating in a dry sauna, but faster and at a lower temperature.
Some infrared saunas, like ours at Align Asheville, take it a step further by providing a powerful combination of full spectrum infrared. By using near, mid and far wavelengths, you can maximize and customize your health benefits.
BREAKING DOWN “FULL SPECTRUM”
Infrared is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is positioned “infra” or “below” the color red. Full spectrum refers to all three types of infrared: near, mid, and far, each with their own unique set of health benefits.
Not all infrared saunas are full spectrum, so look for this designation. Often you will find only far infrared, which does have wonderful benefits detailed below. But when you add near and mid, things really start to “heat up”, if you will.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE DIFFERENT INFRARED WAVELENGTHS?
Each wavelength has its own specific advantages.
Near Infrared (NIR)
At the highest end of the visible light spectrum is red light, and above the visible light spectrum is near-infrared, from about 700nm to a little over 1,100nm. Specifically, most research showing benefits of near-infrared light have used wavelengths in the narrow ranges of 800-880nm.
While most other wavelengths of light (such as UV, blue, green, and yellow light, etc.) are mostly unable to penetrate into the body and stay in the upper layers of the skin, red and near-infrared light is able to reach into the human body. You may have heard of red-light therapy, and NIR has some overlapping benefits.
Near infrared benefits can be summarized by thinking about cell regeneration, skin revitalization and wound healing. [2][3][4]
NIR benefits:
- Recharge the mitochondria
- Heal acne lesions
- Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- Promote cell regeneration
- Promote collagen synthesis
- Reduce inflammation
- Heals wounds faster
- Provide anti-aging benefits
Mid Infrared (MIR)
Since MIR penetrates a little deeper, it does even more for inflammation, pain, and muscle recovery and healing. [1]
MIR benefits:
- Decrease inflammation
- Reduce joint pain
- Improve flexibility
- Improve workout recovery time
- Weight loss
- Improved circulation
Far Infrared (FIR)
Far infrared penetrates the deepest, since it is the longest wavelength. This serves us by getting into the deeper tissues where trapped toxins and chemicals can be released. So we get great detoxification here, as it warms us more than the other wavelengths, encouraging a healthy sweat. [6] Heart rate and vasodilation increase as well, with all the benefits that go along with that. In fact, a FIR sauna session has been shown to be comparable to a mild-moderate exercise session in terms of cardio benefits.[5]
FIR benefits:
- Weight loss
- Decreased joint stiffness
- Decreased inflammation
- Lower overall body stress
- Detoxification
- Feeling energized
- Heart health [7]
FULL SPECTRUM INFRARED SAUNAS
With all three wavelengths inside the same cabin, you can imagine the efficiency and powerful therapeutic benefit brought to your sauna session. Not only do the wavelengths provide massive benefit alone, but they work beautifully in conjunction with one another, compounding effects.
If you are in the Asheville area, come and try out our Sunlighten mPulse Full Spectrum Sauna!
[3]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2687728/
[4]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11776448/
[5]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31126559/
[6]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21057782/