A traditional sauna uses heated steam to induce its effects. However, you may recently have heard about something called an infrared sauna. Infrared saunas are a recent development that work a little differently. These saunas heat their occupants by using heaters which emit far infrared radiant heat. Infrared heat is a kind of electromagnetic radiation. It has a longer wavelength than visible light. However, it has a shorter one than radio waves. Infrared radiation can heat the body directly, instead of conveying the heat through the air, like a traditional sauna.



Generally, and infrared sauna is a small wooden box or room, with several infrared heat emitters installed inside. These heaters are designed to keep the body warm enough so that it can't cool down without producing sweat. The containment of the heaters does cause the air to heat, so that the user can experience the feeling of a traditional sauna, but this is not actually necessary. Many of the heaters used in infrared saunas utilize technology developed in 1965 by a member of Fuki Medical's Research and Development Department, Dr. Tadashi Ishikawa.

Infrared heat is said to be safe and healthful. The heat from infrared saunas supposedly penetrates as much as an inch and a half into the body, creating vibrations that remove toxins from the body, which are released in the sweat. These saunas are also said to be able to stimulate and heal damaged tissues and help arthritis and other injuries. Routinely sweating in an infrared sauna can help decrease the load of toxins in the body. Because the skin is the largest organ in the body, stimulating it can affect a number of other conditions. The improved circulation that occurs in an infrared sauna can help with other ailments, and is usually considered good for your health.

However, there has been some controversy over the effectiveness of infrared saunas. There have not been any claims that they are unsafe, but some people feel that the benefits claimed for infrared heat penetration are exaggerated. Sweating is always good for you, says the medical establishment, but detoxification is not something that can be easily accomplished, and infrared heat does not contribute to it happening. Both sides do agree that there is chemical buildup in the body, and that sweating when properly hydrated is beneficial, however. There have certainly been no harmful effects noted from infrared saunas, making them a safe choice if you choose to use one.