The skin is one of the largest organs in the body. It is also an important part of your body’s natural detoxification process – and sweat is the vehicle that your body uses to carry harmful toxins out of the body.
Sweating in an infrared sauna is a powerful tool for healing and prevention because infrared safely induces short-term hyperthermia and raises your core temperature enough to kill cancer-causing cells, detoxify your body of potentially carcinogenic heavy metals and toxins, and boost your immune system.
Most of the infrared saunas on the market emit far infrared wavelengths. But with advanced technology, you can get all three infrared wavelengths in one place. Sunlighten 3-in-1 infrared therapy combines near, mid and far infrared energy to assist with detoxification, relaxation, lower blood pressure, weight loss, pain relief, anti-aging and energize from the inside out.
What Is the Difference between Near, Mid and Far Infrared?
In a nutshell, the various infrared wavelengths precisely target health goals by offering a wide range of benefits. As you can see in the chart (below), Near, Mid and Far Infrared each provides its own special benefits:
| Near Infrared Benefits | Mid Infrared Benefits | Far Infrared Benefits |
Near Infrared
Near infrared (NIR) is the shortest infrared wavelength and it penetrates the skin’s surface more effectively than the other two. Scientific research shows that when delivered at the vital wavelength of 880nm without extreme heat or light, NIR promotes skin renewal, cell health, wound healing, and tissue growth. LEDs are effective because they can trigger a natural photo-biochemical reaction, similar to how plants use chlorophyll to convert sunlight into plant tissue.
Near infrared produced from LED lights help restore skin to a youthful appearance. A study published in The Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy showed significant improvements in skin appearance after just 12 weeks of sauna skin therapy using near-infrared technology. Participants experienced a reduction in wrinkles and crow’s feet, as well as improved overall skin tone, including softness, smoothness, elasticity, clarity and firmness.
In addition, NIR creates better blood circulation means more toxins flow from the cellular level to the skin’s surface to improve cell health, aid in muscle recovery and strengthen the immune system. Sunlighten’s research-backed near infrared heating technology can strengthen the immune system. In fact, a NASA study showed this same near infrared therapy, delivered by LEDs deep into body tissue, can quadruple cell health and tissue growth.
Mid Infrared
Mid infrared (MIR) is a longer wavelength that can penetrate deeper into the body’s soft tissue where inflammation occurs. MIR helps expand blood vessels and increases circulation, so more oxygen can reach injured areas of the body. This reduces pain and speeds the healing process.
Mid infrared heat works by penetrating joints, muscles and tissues, increasing circulation and speeding oxygen flow. By reducing soreness on nerve endings, infrared heat reduces muscle spasms and helps the body heal itself naturally. A 2013 study conducted at the Auburn University at Montgomery compared stretching in a Sunlighten mid infrared session compared to a typical training room environment.
Participants completed a series of hamstring stretches in random order with 48 hours separating the sessions. Results showed that acute flexibility increased up to 3x in the sauna than without! Benefits to the increased range of motion include joint mobility, less friction in the joints, enabling of joint function to diminish stiffness and joint relaxation.
Far Infrared
The longest wavelength, far infrared (FIR), reaches deepest into the body, where toxins are stored. By raising your core body temperature, FIR stimulates the sweat glands, resulting in a deep, detoxifying sweat that leaves you feeling revitalized. Only Sunlighten far infrared saunas have been shown to increase core temperature for effective detoxification.
Since sweating increases heart rate, cardiac output, and metabolic rate, FIR also helps you burn calories. During a sauna weight loss session, core temperatures increase. The body has to work hard to cool itself, causing a healthy sweat. Using an infrared sauna increases heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate, burning more calories, leading to more weight loss. And blood flow rises, increasing from 5-7 quarts up to 13 quarts a minute.
Results from a 2009 study indicated that Sunlighten saunas are beneficial for lowering weight and waist circumference in just a 3-month period. And for those who are sedentary due to medical conditions such as osteoarthritis, cardiovascular or respiratory problems, results were even more profound.
Only Sunlighten saunas have Solocarbon 3-in-1 heaters that combine three distinct components within a single heating panel to provide near, mid, and far infrared at their peak wavelengths. Because the three heating mechanisms operate independently, you can program them to generate any combination of NIR, MIR, and FIR heat. Or you can choose from preset wellness programs from the Android control panel for detoxification, relaxation, anti-aging, cardiovascular, weight loss, pain relief or custom. That is why they are my sauna of choice!
To learn more, visit www.sunlighten.com or stay tuned for my upcoming podcast with Sunlighten in July!
