How Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna Therapy Works
Infrared Wavelengths
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 because they are easily absorbed, stimulating the lymphatic,
immune and cardiovascular systems and also help remove toxins.
Infrared does all of 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 into the body and very effectively heat your body core. It also does not cause the “resonant frequency” associated with far infrared so using near infrared alone is not the best way to detoxify. Near infrared is associated with photobiomodulation which directly produces energy within the cells through ATP stimulation. Not surprisingly, near infrared helps wound healing and increases cellular repair.
- Mid infrared wavelengths are also captured by water molecules while increasing circulation through vasodilation, bringing oxygen to areas needing healing, increasing heart rate and overall metabolism.
- Far infrared is the closest of the wavelengths to the 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 enhanced and strengthened.
Far infrared activates sweat glands eliminating chemicals directly through the skin. Expelling toxins through the skin is advantageous because it relieves the liver of having to process quantities of these fat soluble compounds. The far infrared heat surrounds you and penetrates skin, muscles, joints, and tissues to increase circulation, speed oxygen flow, and help rid the body of harmful toxins. Sweating alone through infrared sauna usage can be quite efficient at removing these unwanted chemicals.
Infrared Saunas Versus Traditional and Steam Saunas
The main difference between infrared saunas and traditional saunas is how they use heat. Traditional saunas use a single heater that is heating the air and this hot air heats the user. In contrast, infrared saunas use advanced therapy to heat the user directly with only a small percentage of the heat heating the air. This results in a deeper sweat and at a lower ambient air temperature. In fact, infrared saunas usually operate between 115° – 140°F, while traditional saunas can get up to 195°F.
You will get all of the relaxation benefits of a traditional sauna along with the increased health benefits that infrared offers all at a much more comfortable temperature. Infrared saunas are also dry saunas and many users find this makes for a more comfortable sauna session.
THE TOP 8 FAR INFRARED SAUNA HEALTH BENEFITS
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 will burn calories.
MUSCLE PAIN RELIEF
Increased blood circulation carries off metabolic waste products and delivers oxygen-rich blood to oxygen-depleted muscle, so they recover faster. Muscles relax best when tissues are warm, for greater flexibility and range of motion to relieve muscle tension. The deep heat of far infrared saunas help peripheral blood vessels dilate, bringing relief and healing to muscle and soft tissue injuries. Infrared heat also reduces soreness on nerve endings and muscle spasms as muscle joints and fibers are heated.
IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOST
The deep heating from infrared heaters will raise your core body temperature, inducing an artificial fever. How does this benefit the body? Fever is the body’s natural mechanism to strengthen and accelerate the immune response, as seen in the case of infection. This enhanced immune system, combined with improved elimination of toxins and wastes via intense sweating, increases your overall health and resistance to disease.
DETOXIFICATION
One of the biggest infrared sauna health benefits is its ability to increase your blood circulation and stimulate the sweat glands, releasing built-up toxins in the body. Daily sauna sweating can help detoxify your body as it rids itself of accumulated highly toxic metals (lead, mercury, nickel, and cadmium) as well as alcohol, nicotine, sulfuric acid, and other organic and inorganic compounds. “It has been known for decades that sweating is a wonderful way to get rid of stored chemicals, including heavy metals.” Dr. Sherry Rogers, Total Wellness
IMPROVES APPEARANCE OF CELLULITE
Cellulite refers to superficial pockets of trapped fat, which cause uneven dimpling or “orange peel” skin. It appears in 90% of post-adolescent women and is rarely seen in men. Common, but not exclusive areas where cellulite is found are the buttocks, thighs, and the abdomen. Contrary to popular belief, cellulite is not related to obesity, and the appearance of cellulite is not always reduced by weight loss.
Since the far infrared radiant heat of these saunas warms three times as deep as conventional saunas, it is significantly more effective at 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 increase heart rate and localized blood circulation, which essentially reverses the above-mentioned trends towards the accumulation of liquids in the fat cells to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
EASE JOINT PAIN AND STIFFNESS
Time spent in an infrared sauna benefits patients suffering from many forms of arthritis. Radiant heat has also been effective in the treatment of sprains, neuralgia, bursitis, muscle spasms, joint stiffness and many other muscular-skeletal ailments. Much of the stiffness, aches and soreness that comes with aging is reduced or eliminated.
The soothing and relaxing heat from an Infrared Sauna offers a variety of healing benefits including a significant reduction in chronic pain often even after the first use! According to Dr. Jeffrey Spencer, a sports medicine expert from the University of Southern California “infrared wavelengths penetrate the body to create heat, which creates profound therapeutic benefits. They increase blood flow to the muscles, delivering more concentrated oxygen, which creates more energy to heal.”
A study reported in Clinical Rheumatology showed that infrared saunas gave significant relief for patients with chronic pain (such as rheumatoid arthritis). Four weeks of 30-minute, twice-weekly sessions in an infrared sauna resulted in a 40 percent improvement in pain and stiffness.
A study published in Internal Medicine, showed that patients with chronic pain saw their pain levels drop by nearly 70% after their first session of infrared sauna therapy. Pain scores remained low throughout the observation period.
How Do Infrared Saunas Work To Ease Pain?
Our bodies are held together by a web like structure that weaves itself all through the body called fascia. A good metaphor for understanding how fascia plays a role in relaxation is to think of a knitted sweater: if you pull on one string of yarn the entire sweater can unravel. Similarly, as one part of the fascia web begins to relax and unwind, your whole body follows in kind.
With infrared therapy, the infrared wave penetrates 1.5” to 2” into the body stimulating a relaxation response allowing the muscles and tendons to unwind and release tension. The result is a reduction in swelling and inflammation, two major factors in easing chronic pain.
In addition, as the infrared heat elevates your core body temperature, capillaries and arteries dilate to increase blood flow allowing more oxygen rich blood to travel to areas of tension and pain. Your muscles, joints, and soft tissue experience relief and healing.
STRESS AND FATIGUE REDUCTION
Just a few minutes in the gentle warmth of an infrared sauna will help you feel relaxed, rejuvenated and renewed. Infrared Saunas have also been shown to affect the autonomic nervous system putting you in the parasympathetic (rest and digest) state allowing your body to heal.
IMPROVES SKIN
The profuse sweating achieved after just a few minutes carries off deeply embedded impurities and dead skin cells, leaving the skin glowing and immaculately clean. Increased circulation draws your skin’s own natural nutrients to the surface.
You’ll see improved tone, elasticity, texture and fresh color. Increased blood circulation has also been shown to relieve acne, eczema, psoriasis, burns, lesions and cuts. In addition, open wounds heal more quickly, reducing scarring.
Chromotherapy
Red - The Great Energizer
Yellow - The Skin Rejuvenator
Red - The Great Energizer
Feeling sluggish? Some full spectrum sauna benefits are:
- The color red works wonders in the body to increase energy levels.
- Loosens, releases constrictions and is excellent for areas that have become stiffened.
- Activates metabolism.
- Promotes cellular growth, stimulating the circulatory system.
- Causes hemoglobin to multiply, thus increasing energy raising body temperature conditions as it stimulates sensory nerves such as hearing, taste, and smell.
- Infrared Saunas are excellent for anemia or blood-related conditions.
- Ideal for colds and other sluggish or dormant conditions like pneumonia, arthritis, and anemia.
- Stimulates the liver.
Orange - The Wisdom Ray
Yellow - The Skin Rejuvenator
Red - The Great Energizer
Feeling bogged down?
- Free your mind & spark joy.
- Known to be a warm, cheerful, & non-constricting color.
- Because orange is a blend of red & yellow it combines physical energy with mental wisdom.
- Causes a transformation between lower physical reaction & higher mental response.
- An emotional stimulant.
- Removes inhibitions.
- Aids in repairing infalmmation of the kidneys, gallstones, & sinus.
- Helps menstrual cramps.
- Great for epileptics.
Yellow - The Skin Rejuvenator
Yellow - The Skin Rejuvenator
Green - The Universal Healing Color
Need a creativity boost?
- Awaken mental inspiration.
- Provides clarity of thought, increased awareness, & stimulates interest & curiosity.
- Connects us to our mental self & is related to our ability to understand.
- Helps repair scarred tissue & eczema.
- Excellent color for nervous system or nerve-related ailments due to an alkalyzing effect that strengthens nerves.
- Aids in conditions related to the stomach, liver, & intestines including constipation, gas, liver troubles, & diabetes.
Green - The Universal Healing Color
Green - The Universal Healing Color
Does your body need a reboot?
- Benefits most any condition in need of healing.
- Relaxes muscles, nerves, & thoughts.
- Provides feelings of peace & harmony.
- Great for conditions of the heart, lowering blood pressure, ulcers, cancer, headaches, nervous disorders.
- Renewing, moderating, & soothing.
- When in doubt, green will always work!
Blue - The Cool Soother
Need some rest?
- Mentally relaxing, calming color.
- Pacifying effect on the nervous system.
- Encourages great lotus.
- Soothing rays provide peace to a mind that is worried, excited, or in a constant nervous state.
- Can be used for ailments associated with speech, communication, or the throat.
Purple - The Mind Eraser
Feeling like your brain has too many tabs open?
- Purple is the last color we can see before light passes on to ultraviolet (UV).
- Excellent for neurosis, diseases of the scalp, sciatica, tumors, rheumatism, celetral-spinal meningitis, concussions, cramps, & epilepsy.
- Violet animates & cleans the venous blood.
- Some experts believe it can provide nourishment to the cells in the upper brain.
Benefits
RELAX THE MIND
Melts stress away
Improves sleep
Zen setting
Who doesn't need quiet time to unwind?
Infrared sauna therapy helps you relax while getting an invigorating deep tissue sweat, leaving you fully refreshed, rejuvenated & renewed.
Unlike traditional saunas, infrared saunas provide a gentle, soothing therapeutic heat that promotes relaxation & improved sleep.
DETOX AND REFRESH THE BODY
Releases more toxins
Stimulates sweat glands
Leaves you feeling refreshed
We consume more toxic materials today than ever before.
Toxins of all kinds surround us every day - heavy metals in our environment, hormones in our meat, and even pesticides on our produce - but Eleventh Element is here to help you detox, be your best, & feel your best! Regular infrared sauna sessions can help detoxify your body as it rids itself of accumulated highly toxic metals such as lead, mercury, nickel, alcohol, nicotine, sulfuric acid, and other organic and inorganic compounds.
BURN CALORIES
Burns 200-400 calories
Enhances weight loss
Not just water weight
But am I just losing water weight?
NO! Yes, you will lose water weight in a session, but you will also burn up to 400 calories and those are real results that affect your waist line.
How?
As you relax in an infrared sauna, your body is actually hard at work producing sweat, pumping blood, and burning calories. As your body increases sweat production to cool itself, your heart will work harder to pump blood at a greater rate to boost circulation. This increase in your metabolism will burn calories all while you relax, as well as long after your session ends.
INCREASE CIRCULATION & RELIEVE PAIN
Helps muscles recover faster
Decreases inflammation
Relieves tension, aches, & pain
From everyday aches to chronic pain, it takes a toll.
An infrared sauna session could be the safe, easy pain therapy
that finally gives you relief.
How?
The deep heat that occurs during an infrared sauna session helps peripheral blood vessels dilate, bringing relief and healing to muscle and soft tissue injuries. Increased blood circulation carries off metabolic waste products and delivers oxygen-rich blood to oxygen-depleted muscle, so they recover faster.
The heat from the sauna also helps to reduce soreness on nerve endings and muscle spasms as muscle joints and fibers are heated. Muscles relax most readily when tissues are warm, for greater flexibility and range of motion.
IR heat helps to relieve muscle tension and thereby helping your body to make the most of its intended healing abilities.
ENHANCE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Naturally boosts immune health
Carries off metabolic waste products
Infrared heat is anti-bacterial & cedar wood is anti-microbial
The cold & flu don't discriminate. We all get sick once in a while.
We wash our hands, take our vitamins, & avoid germs the best we can,
but without a healthy immune system you are vulnerable.
How?
Each 40-minute infrared sauna session raises your core temperature inducing an artificial fever. A fever is the body’s natural mechanism to strengthen and accelerate the immune response, as seen in the case of infection. This enhanced immune system, combined with improved elimination of toxins and wastes via intense sweating, increases your overall health and resistance to disease. Not only will you come out of every session glowing on the outside,
but you'll be stronger on the inside.
CLEARS & IMPROVES SKIN
Helps sweat out impurities in the skin
Releases toxins & stress that cause breakouts
Leave every session glowing!
Glowing skin may be all the rage, but clear skin is always in.
Perspire infrared saunas can help you achieve both.
How?
The profuse sweating achieved during your 40-minute infrared sauna session carries off deeply imbedded impurities and dead skin cells. This leaves the skin glowing and immaculately clean.
Increased circulation draws your skin’s own natural nutrients to the surface. As a result, you will see improved tone, elasticity, texture and fresh color. Increased circulation has also been shown to relieve acne, eczema, psoriasis, burns, lesions and cuts. Plus - cellulite reduction is an added benefit!
IMPROVES SLEEP
Promotes relaxation, balancing stress hormones
Naturally calms nervous system
Releases tension in the body & mind
Insomnia affects 1 in 3 people.
It's hard enough to find time to get those 8 hours each night, so
you don't need your body fighting sleep too. Infrared sauna sessions
have been proven to improve sleep patterns.
How?
Not only are infrared saunas relaxing, but the chromotherapy in each session has sleep inducing benefits as well. Blue, for example, is a mentally relaxing color that has a pacifying effect on the nervous system encouraging great relaxation. It is ideal for sleep problems.
Relaxing, soothing blue rays combined with infrared heat bring great calm and peace to the mind that is worried, excited, or in a constant nervous state.
Over time, these therapies will improve natural melatonin and other sleep related hormone levels to help you get better rest naturally.
How To Prepare
BEFORE YOUR SESSION
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
Most people do not drink enough water to begin with and now that you are using an infrared sauna and sweating, it is even more important to stay properly hydrated. Always drink plenty of water before, during and after your sauna session. A light snack before is also recommended. Remove all makeup to allow your skin to receive the experience full benefits of the IR heat.
WHAT TO WEAR
Lightweight shorts and a tee shirt are ok.
Swimsuits are better. Your “Birthday Suit” is fine, too. We provide towels to use during your full spectrum infrared sauna session as well.
We recommend arriving in or bringing loose fitting and comfortable clothing to put back on after your session. You will continue to sweat for some time after you're finished!
DURING YOUR SESSION
FIRST - Turn your phone off so you don't disturb the other guests
trying to enjoy the same peaceful experience you're here for.
Timer should be set for 40 minutes. Adjust the temperature to
your comfort. If the sauna cabin becomes too hot or stuffy,
you may open the sauna door to let some cooler air inside.
You may not sweat much during your first 1-2 sauna sessions. This is normal
for many people, as they haven’t had a recent history of sweating, and it
takes a few sessions to “retrain” the body to do what comes naturally.
Stretching arms, legs and back area during your session creates more body flexibility. Massage congested and “knotty” muscle areas to help alleviate pain.
Take care not to overheat during your first few sessions.
As the body continues to adjust, sweating can increase dramatically
and body temperature regulation becomes more effective.
AFTER YOUR SESSION
When you finish your full spectrum infrared sauna session, it is important to relax and cool down while your body continues to perspire.
Enjoy a cold eucalyptus face towel that will be placed in the sauna room before your session. When you leave, please place the towels you've used in the towel drop just outside the sauna rooms.
It's recommended that you wait to shower at least 20-30 minutes after you leave your session.