Heat Shock Proteins, De-Stress, Pain Relief

Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna : Infrared Saunas

Lose Weight, Feel Great & Detoxify

Written by Christopher Kiggins

What Is Full-Spectrum for Infrared Sauna?
A Guide to Near, Mid and Far Infrared
What Is Full-Spectrum for Infrared Sauna?
A Guide to Near, Mid and Far Infrared

Far infrared saunas in their current form have been around for 30 years. Near infrared sauna have been around for about half the time as people started realizing the benefits of not just far infrared, but mid and near as well.

Without getting into a discussion of which is better in a spectrum infrared saunas environment (near vs. far, which we’ve already covered in detail here) let’s discuss the merits of having both near, mid and far infrared in a sauna. The sun’s spectrum of electromagnetic radiation has an entire portion that is made up of near, mid and far infrared–which we humans feel as heat.

This infrared spectrum lies just beyond the visible light spectrum as you can see here:

hot yoga sauna - full spectrum infrared saunas

Each portion of the electromagnetic spectrum of light serves its own purpose (gamma rays are used to kill cancer cells, visible light allows for us to see, and infrared allows us to feel heat). We can then harness this penetrating heat in an infrared sauna to put out invisible light that our body absorbs as heat which then raises our core body temperature and produces the amazing health benefits we’re already aware of.

There are three levels of infrared, near, mid and far, that each resonate with the subcutaneous fat layer of the human body producing different healing responses. Let’s take a look at the three kinds of infrared light and their benefits in an infrared sauna:

benefits of far infrared sauna - infrared heater

Near Infrared:
Healthy cell immunity, wound healing, skin purification and pain relief.
Near Infrared:
Healthy cell immunity, wound healing, skin purification and pain relief.

Near infrared wavelengths have a lower micron level and a resulting shorter wavelength which mostly penetrates the epidermis layer of the skin. This makes it a very safe choice for the improvement of cell health, the renewal of skin, tissue growth and wound healing.

A lot of sauna companies use near infrared technology that is similar to the infrared used in handheld cosmetic and LED healing devices. While these LED devices are great when they can be targeted on a specific area of skin–they are very hard to use in an infrared sauna environment, as you need to place the LED lights within inches of your skin.

Let’s take a look at an LED panel that’s used by a competitor.

Sunlighten-LED-Heater - sauna heater

In order for this device to be effective you have to hold it directly over your skin for an extended period of time (minimum 15 minutes to get the blood flowing to the desired area)–not behind a mesh heater pointed at one spot on your back. What happens if you have knee pain? You would have to stand and hold your knee right in front of the LED panel. What’s more is that this LED panel is hidden behind a mesh cover which will block nearly all of the rays of light (remember, all light travels in a straight line, including infrared). What good is this light if it is being blocked by mesh? It makes zero sense!

outdoor infrared sauna for sale - sauna heater for sale Flat Backrest
infrared heaters for sale - best outdoor infrared heaters Mesh Covering Heaters

The object of an infrared sauna is to heat your body and raise your core temperature–a small 10 watt LED panel is not going to heat your body at all. Now, I am a firm believer of the effects of near infrared in LED light form-it’s just hard to do correctly in an infrared sauna (and at the moment, no sauna company is doing it right). 

What I would personally do is purchase a hand-held near infrared LED device and hold it over the area of skin that I wanted to re-juvenate.

You still get all of the amazing health benefits of near infrared (cell health, the renewal of skin, tissue growth and wound healing) while heating your body–which is what an infrared sauna is supposed to do! Furthermore, if you look at companies who only offer near infrared, you’ll see they only use near infrared lamps–not LED panels. Why? Because they understand that saunas must be hot! But as we already went over, they aren’t using actual near infrared!

near vs far infrared heater - infrared heater

While near infrared does have great healing benefits, we don’t advise using only a near infrared sauna on its own. Near infrared gets too hot to be used solely in an infrared sauna (2,150 °F). Near infrared sauna companies know this and force their sauna users to sit on a small stool and rotate their body at different time intervals essentially rotisserie’ing’ themselves. They have to do this because if they surrounded your body on all four sides it would be far too hot to get any benefit at all from. Not practical or comfortable!

Mid Infrared:
Pain relief, improved circulation and weight loss.
Mid Infrared:
Pain relief, improved circulation and weight loss.

Mid infrared wavelengths penetrate deeper into the body than near infrared and are therefore good for increasing circulation and blood flow. When used on a consistent basis, mid infrared sauna therapy has been shown to significantly increase blood flow and reduce muscle and joint pain.

Healing can occur faster because mid infrared penetrates deeper into soft tissue where inflammation occurs. To produce MIR, sauna heaters must be able to maintain a surface temperature of 825°F. This is extremely rare in the sauna environment as most heaters don’t get this hot.

Though major infrared sauna companies may claim to provide mid infrared, the material used in their heaters never actually reaches this temperature. Don’t be fooled by fancy marketing and branding. Let the infrared sauna do the talking.

best indoor saunas - indoor saunas

Far Infrared: Weight loss, Detoxification, Circulation,
Lower Blood Pressure, and Relaxation
Far Infrared: Weight loss, Detoxification, Circulation,
Lower Blood Pressure, and Relaxation

Because far infrared sauna therapy heats the body directly rather than simply warming the air, it raises the core body temperature and produces a deep, detoxifying sweat at the cellular level, where most toxins reside. Far infrared also aids in blood pressure reduction & weight loss, as you get a great passive aerobic exercise.

The longest infrared wavelength, far infrared, penetrates deepest into the body, reaching adipose tissue (fat cells) where toxins are stored. The range of temperatures that you want for a far infrared heating panel will be from 400°F to 90°F. Between these temperatures is where the far infrared band is produced.

However, we have found that sitting two inches away from a heater that is 400°F will be far too hot to be comfortable and will not allow you to stay in your sauna for 30 minutes (the object of an infrared sauna is to sit in there longer and prolong your sweat. The longer you sweat the more health benefits you’ll get).

Every one of our carbon (“solocarbon,” “nanocarbon,” etc., they’re all the same heater) competitors heaters only ever reach 140°F on the surface of their heaters which will simply not be hot enough to produce a sweat.

For this reason we aim for 200°F on the surface of our heaters which gives you the longest wavelength at the most beneficial temperature. You will also be able to sit in your sauna for 30 minutes each day while getting the deepest sweat possible.

Why Would You Want a Full Spectrum Sauna? Why Would You Want a Full Spectrum Sauna?

For many years Infrared Sauna have been either Far Infrared or Near Infrared. How you used one depended upon your health needs and requirements. Currently an optimal sauna experience combining all three spectrums in one is available, which allows for extended diversity and an incredibly effective infrared sauna experience.

This combination of all three spectrums of infrared ensures total health concerns could be addressed and targeted in only one session.

Your skin is the largest organ of your body. The subcutaneous layer of fat stores many toxins and can be found just below the skin’s surface. A Full Spectrum Infrared Saunas can penetrate into the tissues up to a depth of two inches. The temperature of this type of infrared sauna is typically between 100 – 150 degrees °F.

However, despite operating at a lower temperature, your body will typically perspire far more in a full-spectrum infrared sauna due to complete heat penetration.

two person infrared sauna - best far infrared saunas

Full-Spectrum Infrared Energy Penetrates
Your Body at Not Just One Level, but Three
Full-Spectrum Infrared Energy Penetrates
Your Body at Not Just One Level, but Three

Normally our bodies pump ten to fourteen pints of blood per minute. Full spectrum infrared sauna rays increase the blood flow up to twenty six pints per minute. When blood flow is increased you have additional oxygenation assisting the body to repair cells and tissues.

The full spectrum infrared sauna also stimulates the sebaceous glands to release harmful toxins such as petrochemicals, mercury and other heavy metals. While there is much debate how these toxins are released-through your skin or through natural means (defecation, urine, and breath), they are excreted either way.

Toxins that cannot be expelled immediately after entry are stored in our bodies. The full spectrum sauna not only boosts the metabolism but is also extremely effective at aiding the upturn of immune function. While inside a full spectrum infrared saunas you can fully relax, listen to calming music, meditate, enjoy color light therapy, or perhaps a yoga routine to introduce heat into your practice.

After taking a full spectrum sauna session your body’s core will be comfortable all day as the detoxing benefits continue long after your session ends. You’ll be relieved of your pain too.

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Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions

What is a full spectrum infrared sauna? What is a full spectrum infrared sauna?
In an infrared spectrum there are three main categories of infrared regions namely: near (NIR), mid (MIR) and far (FIR). A full spectrum infrared sauna covers all these regions and provides heat energy. Each region offers its own advantages.
Are full spectrum infrared saunas worth it?
Yes, the full spectrum saunas are worth buying because they provide specific heat treatments by exploiting NIR, MIR and FIR. Near Infrared comprises of IR-A and IR-B radiation. It accelerates wound healing and promotes collagen formation. Mid infrared and Far infrared have IR-C radiation. Both of these are essential for increasing the blood flow in bodies.
Which is better far infrared or full spectrum sauna?

It entirely depends on your personal requirements. The full spectrum infrared saunas are great for overall health. They aid in boosting metabolism at all levels. You can gain all the benefits of faster skin rejuvenation, weight loss, detoxification in an all in one package.

What are the benefits of full spectrum infrared sauna?
Full spectrum infrared saunas are a storehouse of health benefits. They help in pain relief, improved heart functioning, relieving anxiety, increased blood circulation, skin rejuvenation and repair, remove heavy metals and harmful radicals from body. They help improve both mental and physical performance.

I am glad infrared sauna have developed the way they have, because I couldn’t imagine my life without the benefits they provide, like deep sleep, lower blood pressure, less joint pain, weight loss, and a boosted immune system. Here at SaunaCloud I sell saunas that are some of the best history has offered. My far infrared saunas use advanced ceramic-carbon combination heaters for an amazing sauna experience. For more information on how SaunaCloud’s infrared saunas work and how they can improve your health, download my book The Definitive Guide to Infrared Saunas. Just give us a call at SaunaCloud 1.800.370.0820.

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Christopher Kiggins | Sauna Enthusiast

Christopher Kiggins | Sauna Enthusiast

I have been writing, learning, educating and generally pointing people in the right direction infrared-sauna wise since 2012. Let me know how I can help: chris@saunacloud.com - (530) 417-1220