Infrared sauna options vary considerably in safety and effectiveness. The reasons near infrared saunas are superior to far-infrared or “full spectrum” saunas is important to understand before buying.
My mention in a recent newsletter about our family’s near-infrared sauna from SaunaSpace generated dozens of excited emails into my inbox.
Apparently, many people are considering an infrared sauna for themselves to reap the myriad of health benefits bestowed by this traditional therapy.
Most of the questions I received in response indicated some confusion over the differences between near infrared (NIR) and far infrared (FIR) or “full spectrum” sauna models. Don’t be fooled by the marketing literature – these two types of infrared saunas are very, VERY different!
Let’s go over these important differences below which led to our decision to obtain a near infrared sauna and avoid the far infrared models. Most people are unaware that the passé far infrared saunas are not only less effective, but actually pose some very real health dangers. This is probably why they are now calling them “full spectrum” saunas instead!
Read on to get the full scoop. Warning: trying to explain aspects of the electromagnetic spectrum gets extremely complicated. I’m a bit of a physics nerd, so I love this stuff. I’ve tried to keep it as simple as possible. I hope I succeeded!
Infrared Sauna Spectrum
Solar radiation refers to the electromagnetic radiation that reaches the Earth from the Sun. Many people are surprised to learn that ultraviolet (UV) radiation makes up a very small part of the total energy content, roughly 8%- 9%. The visible light from the sun represents about 46%-47%. The remaining 45% of the total energy received from the sun is in the near infrared range (1).
The total infrared spectrum consists of near, mid, and far infrared waves. This represents a small fraction of the vast electromagnetic spectrum which includes visible light, UV light, microwaves, radio waves and gamma waves. Humans, animals, and plants absorb and utilize infrared light in various beneficial ways.
In humans, tiny receptors called chromophores absorb red light that is between 600 nanometers (nm) and 950 nm. As you can see from the chart below, this only includes the near infrared portion of the infrared spectrum. In other words, the far infrared portion of the infrared spectrum only produces thermal heating to the human body. Thermal heating and deeply penetrating, rejuventating light therapy is only provided by near infrared wavelengths.
Benefits of Near Infrared (NIR) Penetrating Wavelengths
NASA studies have shown that near infrared light penetrates up to 9 inches (23 cm) of body tissue. This results in rapid activation of all chromophores and metabolic pathways that come into contact (2).
For this reason, near infrared light is used in low level light research studies because the biological systems of our bodies that are affected by light do not absorb far infrared light. Not only are there no far infrared biologic receptors in our bodies, but far infrared waves don’t penetrate enough to reach deeper tissues anyway. Mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) pathways, including Cytochrome-C-oxidase, and other critical cell processes involving ATP (energy) production and cell signaling only absorb NIR light.
The beneficial stimulating effects of NIR on body tissues cannot be overstated. Everything works better when oxidative phosphorylation (ATP production) improves. Mitochondria, the powerhouses of most living cells in the body, ramp up ATP production when positively stimulated with NIR light. Living animal cells generally contain an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 mitochondria!
This is why the benefits of near infrared sauna therapy literally enhance the entire body with some folks experiencing totally unexpected improvements. One example is the shocking disappearance of my lifelong eye floaters which I wrote about in my recent newsletter.
As it turns out, research suggests that red light is beneficial to eye health as well, especially in people over 40.
“Full Spectrum” Infrared Saunas?
In order to compensate for the fact that the far infrared spectrum does not provide any stimulative, penetrating light therapy, some manufacturers have added red LED lightbulbs in the ceiling of their sauna models. These are typically marketed as “full spectrum” infrared saunas.
This term may initially sound beneficial. Unfortunately, it is not. Here are the reasons why full spectrum (far) infrared saunas are not only inferior, but should be actively avoided (3).
- Rather than using natural incandescent infrared bulbs which combine light and heat into a single thermal light source (TLS), full spectrum saunas separate light from heat. This is accomplished by using far infrared emitters combined with artificial LED lights installed in the sauna ceiling.
- LEDs produce an inferior “digital” monochromatic light that selectively emits a fraction of the mitochondrial stimulating light band. Only the incandescent tungsten heat lamp provides all 600-950nm wavelengths as part of its “analog” full-spectrum emission.
- WARNING: Far infrared emitters in full spectrum saunas are typically very high EMF. The EMFs which are hundreds of times higher than we would encounter in everyday life, stresses body tissues and the sympathetic nervous system.
- LED bulbs are very unreliable in terms of the actual spectrum emitted and reported lifespan.
Why to Use Near Infrared Saunas or NOTHING ELSE
In summary, far infrared saunas provide exposure to less beneficial infrared wavelengths than near infrared saunas. Moreover, far infrared “full spectrum” saunas add the body burden of exposure to high EMFs with inferior, incomplete LED-based light therapy stimulation that fails to reach all the cells of the body.
In comparison, the incandescent (tungsten-only filament) lamps in a near infrared sauna are a thermal light source just like the sun itself. Light and heat are combined for optimal benefits with no health risks.
Our bodies are designed to experience the alliance of light and heat together, not separately as in a full spectrum sauna. Stimulating cell mitochondria within the near infrared spectrum of 600-950nm wavelengths of light induces cell regeneration, anti-aging, collagen production, human growth hormone, inflammation reduction, neuron repair, rapid wound and injury healing, and the list goes on. In addition, the incandescent heat lamp bulbs used in a near infrared sauna emit plenty of 1000-2000 nm infrared wavelengths (mid infrared) that are absorbed by water molecules in the body, which is how infrared light heats biological tissue.
Experience the Near Infrared Sauna Difference Risk Free
Because I personally use and recommend the SaunaSpace Pocket Sauna, I include this product on my healthy shopping list page with a 5% off coupon HEALTHYHOME
This sale is store-wide, which includes the Near Infrared Pocket Sauna (this is what I have), the Near Infrared Shower Converter Kit, both light panels (to upgrade your far infrared cabinet to a Near Infrared Lamp Sauna or for use in your custom built-in enclosures), as well as everything else on the site.
If you travel a lot, you may wish to consider the convenience of the portable sauna, which comes with a convenient carrying case.
And, as always, SaunaSpace gives you a free 100-day trial to experience the near infrared difference.
My bet is you’ll love it and experience enormous improvements in your health. But if not, you can return it for a refund with FREE RETURN SHIPPING within the USA.
If an infrared sauna is something you’ve been considering for a while, be sure to take advantage of the HEALTHYHOME coupon (entered at checkout).
Please feel free to add any comments or questions you may have regarding infrared sauna therapy in the comments section below. I will do my best to answer them and provide additional resources that can help you sort through the information and choices.
Why wouldn’t an old-fashioned mid-20th century type two or three bar 1-2kW electric radiant room heater be just as effective as an expensive near-infrared sauna? Both are producing what is essentially black body radiation, so how can the infrared heater be any more energ efficient than our old-fashioned electric room heater?
It’s not the black body radiation you are after, which is far infrared (like hot coals). The article explains why near infrared is a superior health experience to far infrared. It is the near-infrared which includes visible and invisible wavelengths specifically that provides the benefits as these are the wavelengths that the sun primarily produces (in addition to UV of course). They penetrate more deeply and are more healing.
very interesting article, I have a problem with the summer sun, it causes erythema under my neck (where I get more sun) which wavelength should I use to solve this problem? of course if this is possible.
The links to the sources (1) (2) don’t work, which is a problem when you try to understand and make up your mind about near vs. far infrared. Dave Asprey (Bulletproof Labs), as well as my functional medicine doc recommends far infrared. I was looking for counter-arguments in your article, but couldn’t find any. Thank you for your great work.
Thanks for the heads up. Those reference links are now fixed.
Far infrared saunas are not nearly as therapeutic as near infrared. I would dig into the research and read up on it for yourself.
Hi Sarah, you are certainly correct about NIR stimulating mitchondrial healing more so than Far Infrared. There have been 1000’s of published studies on the benefits of NIR, but interestingly you will never find one single study that’s used extremely hot heat lamps to deliver NIR! Why not? Because NIR heat lamp bulbs deliver 90% Far Infrared, and as for any NIR portion, this is impossible to absorb because the source is too hot and the user can’t get close enough to it without getting burnt. In all the clinical and science based studies, LED or Laser is the only option so that the light can be placed close to your tissue and pass through to stimulate mitochondrial healing.
Hi Sara….is there any difference between using red or clear heat bulbs? I’ve read the red color is just for show in both food and livestock uses. The red glow implies pleasing warmth, but there is no health benefit to its color. Thanks for the help 🙂
The red provides the light therapy benefits as well.
I have the same question has Michelle.. NASA Study Conclusion: We believe that the use of NASA light-emitting diodes (LED) for light therapy will greatly enhance the natural wound healing process, and more quickly return the patient to a preinjorylillnesc level of activity.
SaunaSpace is using Incandescent lamps… where are the studies for Incandescent lamps. It’s misleading to refer to NASA studies since the lamps from Saunaspace is Incandescent…
Thks
J
hi sarah
Can I ask how the sauna space compares to the JOOVV?
This article compares the two and is quite detailed. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/go/joovv/
Where can I buy a home NIR sauna?
This is the NIR sauna I’ve used for several years and the only one I recommend (it has zero EMFs). https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/go/luminati-sauna/
I’m seriously thinking of getting one. Do you think it’s enough to just get the small portable one? also, the reason I want one is because i have arthritis in my knuckles I can’t seem to get rid of and I have restless legs.
The portable one is for traveling or for spot treatments. I use it on an ottoman to sooth the bottoms of my feet after a long day. It won’t have the overall benefits of the full sauna as you won’t get the sweating action.
I’m a little confused. Are NIR just better or do they have different benefits. Aside from the “full spectrum” version do you think FIR are bad in general or less effective. I have a portable RELAX sauna that has two small heaters and uses an internal reflective fabric to keep EMF low and 360 exposure
FIR saunas are bad because they typically use LED lights, which are unhealthy as a light source. Not only that, they offer a pittance of benefits compared to NIR. Hope that helps! I would personally never use an FIR sauna (a rock sauna would be safe but you just wouldn’t get the NIR benefits or light therapy). Chris Kresser ditched his FIR sauna for an NIR one. Apparently, he put his expensive FIR sauna on Craigslist!