Infrared Sauna & red light therapy in London
WHAT IS AN INFRARED SAUNA?
While we name Infrared models “Saunas”, they are really infrared therapy cabins. It just so happens that the sauna environment is a great environment to deliver infrared as you are not wearing any clothing and you are surrounded by the infrared heat. Rather than use steam or the traditional “box of hot rocks” heating elements, the infrared sauna heaters use the infrared spectrum listed below to promote relaxation and other wellness benefits. In an infrared sauna, the air temperature is less important than the quality of the infrared heat. As your body absorbs the infrared heat, this will increase thermal energy inducing a deep and relaxing sweat.
The sun produces a combination of visible and invisible light, and one of those invisible spectrums is infrared rays. Invisible infrared wavelengths are what makes the sun feel warm (and ultraviolet wavelengths are what makes it bright). Scientists have established that infrared waves are beneficial to the human body as they increase the thermal energy in the body. Infrared does this without any of the harmful rays of sunlight. There are three main categories of the infrared spectrum: near infrared, mid infrared, and far infrared.
- Near Infrared is the shortest wavelength but penetrates the deepest. It has the distinct property that it is not captured by the water of the body allowing it to penetrate the deepest to increase your core thermal energy. Near infrared is associated with photo biomodulation which directly produces energy within the cells through ATP stimulation.
- Mid infrared wavelengths are also captured by water molecules while temporarily increasing circulation through vasodilation, promoting temporary increase in blood flow and temporarily elevating heart rate and overall metabolism.
- Far infrared is the closest of the wavelengths to the infrared heat given off by our own body. Far infrared is readily captured by the water molecules in the body and releasing its energy. Our bodies actually give off far infrared wavelengths at about 9.4 microns. Since far infrared wavelengths feel very natural and normal to us, our energy is temporarily enhanced and strengthened.
WHAT IS RED LIGHT THERAPY?
Beginning in the early 1990s as a tool to help grow plants in space, red light therapy, or RLT, is a technique used to help promote healthy cell growth and regeneration. Today’s practice of red light therapy extends to humans and can be used in the treatment of a wide range of issues such as skin conditions and wound healing. There are many ways to utilize this therapy by simply placing red light technology near your body, from light towers and saunas to handheld devices and face masks. Red light therapy can also be used to activate photosensitizing medications for photodynamic therapy.
Red light therapy works by using red low-level wavelengths of light to produce a biochemical effect in cells by penetrating approximately 5 millimetres below the skin’s surface. This effect helps strengthen the mitochondria and increase cell energy to improve performance of cells. Stronger cells increase productivity and effectiveness for proper rejuvenation and damage repair. Overall, the body uses these boosted cells to increase healing time and improve the condition of ailments caused by degenerative cells.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF USING AN INFRARED SAUNA
- WEIGHT LOSS & INCREASED METABOLISM
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, regular use of a sauna imparts a similar boost on the cardiovascular system as running. As you relax in the gentle infrared heat, your body is hard at work producing sweat, pumping blood, and burning calories. As your body increases sweat production to cool itself, your heart works harder to pump blood at a greater rate to boost circulation. This increase in your metabolism may burn calories. - TEMPORARY MUSCLE PAIN RELIEF
Using an infrared sauna as intended as part of a healthy lifestyle promotes the temporary increase in blood flow to muscles and may offer temporary relief of arthritic pain. Muscles relax best when tissues are warm for greater flexibility and range of motion. Far Infrared heat may help relieve muscle tension by increasing the thermal energy in your muscles. - BETTER SLEEP
Maintaining a cool body temperature is important for falling asleep. It explains why you have trouble sleeping on especially hot summer nights and why it’s easier to sleep when your bedroom is cool and dark. You can hack your body’s thermoregulation process by warming your body in an infrared sauna then allowing it to cool down after. This quick cool-down speeds up the process for your brain to fall asleep. The end result is a cool body that’s primed for sleep. By using an infrared sauna before bed, you calm your body and mind promoting restful sleep. A calmer mind sleeps better for longer than a restless one. - DETOXIFICATION
“It has been known for decades that sweating is a wonderful way to get rid of stored chemicals, including heavy metals. In fact, sauna is one of the detoxification procedures used in the Environmental Units in Dallas (Dr. William Rea) and North Charleston (Dr. Allan Lieberman) where the sickest of folks go to heal.” Dr. Sherry Rogers, Total Wellness, May 2000. - IMPROVES APPEARANCE OF CELLULITE
Since the far infrared radiant heat of our Infrared Sauna increases thermal energy in tissue, it is effective at temporarily reducing cellulite. There is a direct link between the slowing of metabolic rates and the storage of toxins in fat cells. Sauna use and far infrared heat can temporarily increase heart rate and promote a temporary increase in localized blood circulation. This may reverse the above-mentioned trends towards the accumulation of liquids in the fat cells to reduce the appearance of cellulite. - EASE JOINT PAIN AND STIFFNESS
Infrared heat may temporarily ease joint pain and stiffness. Increased thermal energy to the joints may promote a temporary increase in blood flow. Increased thermal energy may reduce stiffness and increase range of motion. - STRESS AND FATIGUE REDUCTION
Just a few minutes in the gentle warmth of an infrared sauna will help you feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and renewed.
Many of our infrared sauna customers comment on how much they look forward to their Infrared Sauna session, as it’s a great time to get away and release any built-up tension and stress. - IMPROVES SKIN
The profuse sweating achieved after just a few minutes in our Infrared Sauna will allow impurities in the pores to come out. The temporary increase in local blood circulation may help reduce the risk of certain chronic skin conditions.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF USING RED LIGHT THERAPY
Research on red light therapy benefits is still in the early phases, but current studies and anecdotal evidence show promise for the effectiveness of the treatment. Red light therapy can be used to help treat many conditions and improve overall health. Some of the main benefits of red light therapy include:
athletic performance
eyesight
mood
autoimmune diseases
hair growth
pain
brain disorders
healing
relaxation
cancer therapy side effects
heating
skin conditions
cellulite
hormone production
sleep
cognitive function
inflammation
tissue regeneration
detoxification
libido
weight loss
COMBINING THE POWERS OF RED LIGHT AND INFRARED THERAPIES
Full spectrum infrared therapy involves using infrared waves to penetrate into the body. These waves promote healthy function of the body’s cells and in turn improve healing, circulation, and detoxification. Infrared heat therapy penetrates nearly 5 centimetres into the skin, making it a perfect therapy to use in conjunction with red light therapy that penetrates 5 millimetres. By combining the therapies, you allow multiple levels of your body to heal and rejuvenate.
