What is Infrared?
Infrared energy is part of the sun’s invisible spectrum that we feel as heat, and which is fundamental to our survival. Infrared heat is also called “radiant” heat, a form of energy that heats objects directly, without heating the air in between. Far infrared occurs at the end of the infrared spectrum. It has the ability to penetrate 3-4 cm into the tissues and organs of the body, resulting in numerous health benefits.

Detoxification
The Far Infrared Sauna is an essential tool when it comes to detoxifying and cleansing the body. The heat of the Far Infrared Sauna causes our capillaries to dilate, which leads to an increase in blood flow and circulation. This process causes waste products to be flushed out from the liver, kidney, brain, muscles and other parts of the body. Studies have shown that sweat produced under normal conditions contains 97% water and 3% toxins. Sweat produced in the Far Infrared Sauna, by contrast, contains 80-85% water and a staggering 15-20% toxins.

Numerous clinical studies have shown the effectiveness of Far Infrared Saunas in helping to eliminate some of the most dangerous heavy metals and chemicals known to man (many of which our body has no way of metabolising), such as mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, cancer-causing PCBs, pesticides, Agent Orange (dioxins), and so on.


Weight Loss
There is another weighty argument in favour of the Far Infrared Sauna – weight loss and cardiovascular conditioning.

The process is simple. Heat therapy assists in increasing the pulse, cardiac output and metabolic rate – and the net effect, of course, is faster calorie burning.

But it goes further. Because fat becomes fat soluble at 42 degrees Celsius, it is also released through the sweat glands, along with the various waste substances. The great news for overweight people is that a massive 300 calories can be shed in a standard session, the equivalent, in fact, of a 10km run! Although the perspired water is obviously replaced through re-hydration, the calories are not.

“The penetration of the infrared rays into the tissues of the body act directly on the fatty cells, exciting them and assisting to break them up.”
Dr. Immamura; Journal of the American College of Cardiology

 “Many of us who run do so to place a demand on our cardiovascular system, not to build big leg muscles. Regular use of a (Far Infrared) Sauna imparts a similar stress on the cardiovascular system and its regular use may be an effective means of cardiovascular conditioning and burning of calories as regular exercise.”
Journal of the American Medical Association


Pain Relief
The treatment of muscle and joint pain is another area where the Far Infrared Sauna is of great value. Here is how the basic process works: heat generated by the sauna penetrates some 4cm beneath the skin. Blood vessels begin to dilate and this leads to enhanced circulation. An increases supply of oxygen-rich blood now flows to ones injured muscles and soft tissue, thus enabling the healing process to be accelerated. At the same time, the improved circulation helps the affected areas.

Such is the effectiveness of this approach, that radiant heat therapy is increasingly being used, particularly in Europe and Japan to treat a wide range of ailments.

Skin & Beauty
The beauty of the Far Infrared technology is that it is great for beauty too! Because the saunas increase blood circulation, this has the effect of improving skin tone, texture and colour. The deep perspiration that takes place allows for a very thorough cleansing, not only eliminating impurities but also removing unsightly dead skin cells.

It is not surprising then that an invigorating beauty sauna will release your “inner glow”, dramatically improving the elasticity of your skin and softening up all those rough areas.

It has also been established by European beauty specialists that Far Infrared Saunas can successfully utilised to speed-up an existing anti-cellulite program.



Stress
Stress has become a pervading characteristic of our modern world. It is experienced by us in a complex of harmful emotions: negativity, pessimism and fatigue – all of which can impact our health directly. The Far Infrared Sauna provides a beautifully simple solution. While in the sauna you will be overwhelmed by a liberating sense of relaxation: muscles feeling rejuvenated, nerves wonderfully soothed.

With regular use, you will notice many changes in mind and body: noticeably a growing sense of calmness, wellbeing and an improved ability to cope.



Comparing Infrared to Conventional Saunas
Traditional saunas work by producing very hot air. The unusually hot atmosphere causes rapid perspiration, and triggers what appears to be a “cleansing” process. However, we now know that – in this situation - the body releases salts rather than toxins.

In traditional-style saunas only the body’s surface temperature is heated, and the sweat produced is merely a cooling reaction. The critical advantage of the Far Infrared Saunas is that they penetrate deeply and are consequently able to extract harmful metallic toxins.

For a comfort point of view, Far Infrared Saunas yield many benefits: they enable easier breathing, the air is dry and a sense of claustrophobia and nausea is largely avoided.