Sounds like a bit of a sales pitch, doesn’t it? The supposed cure all for everything!?
But the exciting fact is – Infrared Sauna’s and or infrared blankets – can actually improve your overall wellness, skin quality and weight over a period of 8 weeks.
What is an infrared sauna?
Infrared saunas differ from a classical steamy sauna by the fact that they use an infrared light to generate heat in the body,
These infrared waves penetrate deeper into the tissues than normal steam sauna’s do – and they don’t become unbearably hot like a normal sauna – but you still seriously sweat as much or even more than you would in a normal sauna.
The infrared waves are invisible – falling within the electromagnetic radiation spectrum. They are also known as “far-infrared” waves (FIR) and they have the ability to positively alter the body’s tissues by penetrating below the surface of the skin – stimulating mitochondrial activity and circulating heat.
8 benefits of using an infrared sauna.
- Improved skin tone.
Infrared sauna therapy dilates the blood vessels, increasing circulation throughout the body. This increased circulation helps deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the skin stimulating collagen renewal and detoxing our skin at the same time – making it not only good for anti-ageing, but also for clearing acne.
- Flushes out toxins.
Our bodies are up against an arsenal of toxins that our ancestors never had to deal with – pesticides, toxic metals, PCBs in plastics, environmental pollution, genetically modified foods etc. All of these things weaken the immune system. Infrared saunas help your body eliminate these toxins – through stimulating the circulation, enhancing the lymphatic system and sweating.
A study of obese adults by researchers discovered “body weight and body fat significantly decreased after 2 weeks of sauna therapy”. The sauna increases metabolism through your body trying to cool itself down.
An interesting fact the researchers found is that people of healthy weight who didn’t eat enough, found a healthier appetite. Potentially infrared saunas could be creating a healthier appetite all round.
Studies have also found that infrared radiation can penetrate the skin and target visceral fat (stomach fat)– the hardest fat to move.
- Improved cardiovascular function.
Infrared sauna therapy has shown to be good for heart health. It has even been linked to a reduced risk of sudden cardiac death, fatal coronary heart disease, fatal cardiovascular disease, and even all- cause mortality.
This is because infrared saunas increase heart rate, blood flow, and improved blood pressure in patients. Researchers compared the cardiac output equal to going on a moderate walk.
- Pain relief
Another excellent aspect of infrared sauna therapy is its ability to reduce chronic pain without the negative side effects of pain medications.
Research in the Netherlands found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis who underwent infrared sauna therapy for four weeks experienced reduced pain, stiffness and fatigue following the treatment. My husband who has two damaged knees due to sports injuries from years ago, used to limp a lot, doctors have recommended double knee replacements – in 2 infrared sessions his pain has already decreased by 50% – and he isn’t limping anymore!
- Wound healing.
Infrared sauna healing also has the ability to speed up wound healing. NASA research has shown that infrared light significantly increases tissue growth and cell regeneration due to our mitochondria readily accepting infrared light.
- Boosts circulation
Infrared light has been found to improve circulation, this can have far- reaching benefits – from better skin tone, to lowered blood pressure. Researchers have discovered that it significantly improves blood vessel function in diabetes and smoking patients with high cholesterol.
- Fights chronic fatigue.
A recent study found that chronic fatigue syndrome which results in extreme fatigue with no definitive cause, is greatly relieved in patients using infrared saunas. The studies involved patients sitting in a 60 degrees C (140 F) sauna for 15 minutes, followed by bed rest under a blanket for 30 minutes in a separate room. This was repeated once a day for five days out of seven over a period of four weeks.
The results were amazing – negative mood, anxiety and depression levels significantly improved after the therapy, with fatigue ratings on a scale of 1 to 10 sliding from 6.7 down to 4.8. Researchers theorize that the results were because it reduced oxidative stress and improved cardiac output, both of which have been linked to chronic fatigue syndrome.
How can I do Infrared Sauna treatments?
There are a few ways you can do these treatments – either go to a specific venue which offers infrared sauna therapy such as City Cave which has outlets across Australia or someone like these people. Buy yourself an Infrared Sauna and install it in your house, or buy a infrared sauna blanket (I have taken this option) which works just as well, and is a lot easier to do in your own home if you cannot afford the money or the space for a full size sauna in your home.
Is Infrared Sauna Therapy Safe?
Infrared light rays from the sun are different from the Infrared sauna rays. No adverse effects have ever been reported by the use of this therapy – but I would not recommend that young children use it unless recommended by a doctor or natural therapist. And if you are taking medications, I would always check with a doctor first.
I recommend infrared saunas for anyone wanting to detox for better health, to those wanting to clear acne, to people wanting to turn back the hands of time.
For the ultimate results – after your sauna, have a cold shower, or jump into an icy plunge pool. Follow by a hot shower, followed by a cold-water rinse. This form of hydrotherapy after the infrared sauna will maximise its benefits, increase your longevity, help clear your skin, lessen cellulite, stimulate the body to burn even more fat and activate the lymphatic system to detox even faster!
Ensure you drink at least 1 – 2 litres of water during this process to ensure your body flushes out all of the toxins.
Book a glowing skin consultation if you would like one on one help working out an infrared sauna therapy plan perfect for you! And or buying the correct unit (I do not receive commissions on anything I recommend).
Yvette xx
Thank you for reading my blog!
Hi!
I am Yvette van Schie, I am a holistic beauty therapist, skin nutritionist, skincare developer and makeup artist. I am passionate about sharing real beauty advice with a whack of reality.
For over 30 years I have worked with the best in the beauty and health industry as a trainer, educator and product formulator and I still do – so my knowledge is diverse – I am not blinkered when sharing my information with you because everyone I speak to shares what they know, and I turn it into easy to digest information because I want my readers to feel empowered to make their own decisions and to feel that they are fully in control of their beauty and well being.
