Infrared Saunas

Infrared Sauna vs. Traditional Sauna

Traditional saunas are a high heat, low humidity environment. Temperatures range between 80-90°C (185-195°F) and water is splashed over the heater rocks to create a blast of hypersteam and intensify the feeling of heat. For those who enjoy this experience, there is nothing in the world quite like it.

Infrared saunas provide a much more mild environment. Infrared rays heat the body directly and the air secondarily. For those who enjoy the “heat bath” experience, but cannot take or do not enjoy traditional saunas, infrared is a excellent alternative.

Infrared saunas heat to between 120°F to 150°F. Traditional saunas to 195°F. Infrareds heat up in about 10-20 minutes. A traditional sauna, sized properly, will heat a sauna in 20-35 minutes. However, heating up an infrared only provides for that “toasty” feeling. To perspire, you must be exposed to the infrared rays. It generally takes 12-20 minutes of exposure to begin sweating.

FAR Infrared Saunas

Infrared heat primarily warms only objects in its direct path and has a lesser effect on temperature of the surrounding air.

To understand how infrared heat works, picture yourself outdoors on a summer day with the sun beaming overhead. Your body feels warm from the sun and you become hot. Then a cloud passes overhead, blocking out the sun. The temperature outside has not changed, but you feel cooler in the shade. The sun’s infrared rays were heating your body.

Infrared heaters warm the body in the same manner as natural sunlight. Infrared emitters in the sauna mimic and intensify this effect. All life requires heat from the sun.

FAR infrared heat is not ultraviolet radiation but a narrow band of energy within the 5.6 to 15 micron (µ) level. This type of energy travels only 2-3″ deep into the body to increase circulation and nourish damaged tissue.

The sun is the primary source of radiant energy, but not all of this energy is beneficial. Sunlight also contains harmful solar radiation. Although life needs energy from the sun, too much sunlight damages the skin.

Infrared heat provides all the healthy benefits of natural sunlight without any of the dangerous effects of solar radiation. FAR infrared heat therapy uses the wavelength of the visible and non-visible light spectrum of sunlight that heats the body normally.

Infrared, the healthy part of sunlight:
Sunlight is part of a wide spectrum of frequencies, including ultraviolet and infrared rays. Visible sunlight is in the middle of this spectrum.

At a higher frequency, visible light changes to ultraviolet rays that can cause sunburn. At a lower frequency, however, sunlight changes to gentle infrared rays. It is these rays that allow the sun to warm you, even on a cold winter’s day.

Varying in wavelength from 0.76µ to 1000µ, infrared light is everywhere, even in the palm of your hand; as infrared heat is produced as a natural by-product of energy production within the body.

The West Coast Saunas frequencies:
Within this wide spread of frequencies, the 5.6-15 micron range is the most therapeutic to the human body. Split evenly between the 9.4 µ pivot point of peak human output, our authentic Carbon Wave 360 heating panels are within the desired range for maximum human benefit. We utilize Carbon based mixed materials consisting of 20 different kinds of organic minerals and elements. The operating temperature of our infrared saunas is between 120° and 150°F, compared to traditional saunas which operate at 185° to 195°F. This is important because one can withstand longer therapy sessions, resulting in increased sweat production. Carbon Wave 360 heaters are not only efficient but luxurious, cost effective and safe.

Infrared means deep heat:
Because infrared penetrates safely and comfortably up to 3 inches inside your body, even your deep tissues and organs are stimulated, meaning you perspire. Hard to reach impurities are eliminated through your skin using lower, comfortable temperatures.

Increases blood circulation and strengthens your cardiovascular system:
As your body increases sweat production to cool itself, your heart works harder pumping more blood, achieving the conditioning benefits of continuous exercise. By widening your blood vessels and enriching your blood with oxygen you feel more energetic and your skin gets a beautiful, youthful glow.

“Regular use of a sauna may impact a similar stress on the cardiovascular system as running, and its regular use may be as effective [at] burning calories.”
– Journal of the American Medical Association

Infrared, ideal for detoxification
Dr. Toshiko Yamazaki, M.D. owns a clinic in Japan where she has done extensive research on the therapeutic uses of far infrared. In her book, “The Science of Far-Infrared Therapies”, she explains that one of the reasons FIR (Far-Infrared) has beneficial results in a variety of illnesses is the ability of FIR waves to remove toxins, which are often at the core of many health problems.

Saunas Provide a Series of Health Benefits

Pain Relief: Heat relieves pain by expanding blood vessels and increasing circulation. Better circulation allows more oxygen to reach injured areas of the body and helps reduce pain and speed up the healing process.

Weight Control: Perspiring is part of the complex thermoregulatory process of the body that increases the heart rate, cardiac output, and metabolic rate. The process requires a large amount of energy and reduces excess moisture, salt and subcutaneous fat. Fat becomes water-soluble and the body sweats out fats and toxins.

Exercise: During a 10-20 minute sauna session, your heart rate increases by 50-75%. This provides the same metabolic result as physical exercise. The increased cardiac load is the equivalent to a brisk walk. There is a nominal effect on blood pressure because the heat also causes blood vessels in skin to expand to accommodate increased blood flow.

Detoxification: Toxins such as sodium, alcohol, nicotine, cholesterol and carcinogenic heavy metals (cadmium, lead, zinc, nickel) accumulate in the body during modern daily life. The body eliminates most toxins naturally by sweating. Heat therapy stimulates the sweat glands that cleanse and detoxify the skin. The heat simply speeds up the body’s natural process.

Induced Fever: Most illnesses are accompanied by a fever. During a fever, the body heats up to eliminate viruses and attack foreign agents. Often misunderstood, this rise in temperature is a natural stage of the immune system’s healing process and is one of the best ways to rid the body of chemicals and unwelcome visitors. The immune system weakens the hold of viruses and bacterial growth. Saunas induce an “artificial fever” by heating up the body but without the pains of an illness. Subsequently, the body wards off invading organisms much more easily because the immune system is activated consistently by the “artificial fever.”

Reduce Stress: Heat therapy loosens the muscles and relaxes the body. Many massage therapists use heat to provide more thorough and effective treatment.

Benefit to Skin: Heat improves circulation, expels dirt & chemicals and removes dead cells on the surface of the skin. This leads to a more soft and clear complexion.

To book an appointment for a session in the Infrared Sauna call 845-562-4003 or even better, join the Infrared Sauna Detox Cub and save money.

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