What is infrared light and how is it used in saunas?

What is infrared light?

Long-wave infrared rays produced in our saunas belong to a specific segment of the light spectrum.

Most of the sun's energy comes from the infrared frequency range. Infrared is a form of radiant heat that warms objects directly without heating the surrounding air. Humans, animals and plants naturally absorb the heat from infrared rays. Materials and liquids can also absorb infrared light/energy

You have probably experienced the heat from the sand on the beach on a sunny summer day. The ability of infrared heat waves to heat up is clear. When we are in direct sunlight, we feel warm because our body absorbs the infrared rays. If a cloud passes by and shades the sun, we immediately feel colder. This is not because the outside temperature drops, but because the cloud blocks the infrared rays from reaching us. It is the long-wave infrared light that is perceived as heat when you are in the sun.

Infrared rays are a form of light/energy that is invisible to the human eye. However, infrared should not be confused with UV (ultraviolet) rays which can burn and damage the skin.

Electromagnetic spectra is a division of electromagnetic radiation into different wavelength or frequency ranges. It includes everything from very short-wave gamma rays to very long-wave radio waves and all visible light radiation in between that our eyes perceive as different colours. With wavelengths longer than visible light comes the infrared light, this light can therefore no longer be seen by the human eye, however some animals can perceive the infrared light.

There are three main categories of infrared radiation: short-wave infrared, mid-wave and long-wave infrared (NIR, MIR, FIR), which are classified based on their wavelength. Infrared light is also called: infrared heat, IR light or radiant heat.

Here is an overview of the different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum:

Shortwave infrared rays (Near Infrared - NIR, IR-A):

These rays penetrate deep into tissues and have many health benefits. They promote skin renewal by stimulating collagen and elastin production, improving cell health, and accelerating wound healing and tissue growth by increasing blood circulation.

Mid Infrared (MIR, IR-B):

MIR penetrates soft tissue and effectively helps with inflammation and pain. By increasing blood flow to the affected areas, these rays can reduce swelling and speed up the healing process, which is useful for muscle and joint problems.

Long-wave infrared rays (Far Infrared - FIR, IR-C):

FIR improves circulation and metabolic function. These rays support deep detoxification, including heavy metals, and increase oxygen supply to the blood and tissues. This can promote general health and strengthen the immune system.

Infrared heating system

Carbon Wave:

The panels are made up of carbon fibre plates. Estimated lifetime of up to 50 000 hours in normal use. Heating time about 10-12 min They produce a long wave infrared heat wave, IR band C. (FAR infrared). The wavelength of these infrared rays is between 7-14ꙡ (micrometres). The panels do not emit any glow, infrared heat waves are not visible to the eye. Heating experience / Heating sensation; Carbon Wave heaters create a soft and enveloping circular heat. The long-wave heat wave stimulates the body deep down in the skin at the level of our sweat-producing glands. This causes powerful heating of the body with accompanying positive health benefits.

Mica Wave:

The panels contain a mixture of a ceramic mineral called Mica and carbon fibre. Estimated lifetime of up to 50,000 hours under normal use. Heating time about 10 min They produce a long wave infrared heat wave, IR band C (FAR infrared). The wavelength of these infrared rays is between 5-11ꙡ (micrometres). The panels do not emit any glow, infrared heat waves are not visible to the eye. Heating experience / Heating sensation; Mica Wave heaters create a soft and enveloping circular heat. The long-wave heat wave stimulates the body deep down in the skin at the level of our sweat-producing glands. This causes powerful heating of the body with accompanying positive health benefits.

Vitalight Full Spectrum

Consists of a full spectrum quartz fluorescent lamp with tungsten filament placed in a polished aluminium reflector. Estimated lifetime of up to 5000 hours under normal use. Heating time 1-2 minutes The heaters produce all forms of infrared heat waves short-, medium- and long-wave also calledIR - bands A, B and C. The wavelength of these heaters is between 0.75-11ꙡ (micrometres). The heaters emit a glow that accompanies the A waves that borders on visible light, which is also what you see. Heating experience/ Heating sensation; Vitalight heaters generate an intense heating sensation, especially over the heater. The heater comes with a dimmer function which makes it possible to adjust the intensity to what you want. Full spectrum infrared heaters emit heat over the entire spectrum of infrared radiation, this means that they can penetrate deeper into the body and heat both surfaces and tissues more effectively than only short-wave or medium-wave infrared heaters. This results in powerful heating of the body with accompanying positive health benefits.

Humans are 70% water.

The fact that humans are 70% water is of great importance for the many positive effects of long-wave infrared radiation on the body. The resonance frequency of the water molecule is 9.4 microns and the long-wave infrared rays span 7-14 microns. To try to illustrate what this means, imagine a metal bowl of water, moisten your hand rub the edge of the bowl with an open hand, a dull tone will be heard and you can see how the water ripples on the surface to gradually rise, ie resonance. Resonance occurs when the water in the bowl happens to have the same resonance frequency (natural frequency) as the frequency of an externally applied force. In this case, the tone of the hand on the edge of the bowl.