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If you’re new to the infrared sauna community, then you’ve probably been bombarded with tons of information. It can be a lot to take in, but it's important to remember as much as possible so you can make an informed buying decision. One of the most talked about topics in our community are full spectrum infrared saunas. But what is full spectrum?

The Definition of Full Spectrum

Full spectrum refers to all 3 types of infrared: Far, mid and near; with each offering its own unique benefits. Infrared is a portion of the Electromagnetic Spectrum. If you examine and breakdown the word infrared, “infra” translates to below or further on; and “red” is simply the color. So, infrared essentially means after red, which makes sense considering that the far, mid and near terms indicate the distance of that wavelength from the visible color, red (see image below). Notice that for the “visible light" section, all the different hues of red are on the right side. Now examine the “infrared” section: near infrared is nearest to the color red, while far infrared is farthest from red and, of course, mid infrared is in the middle of them both. 

Do All Infrared Saunas Offer Full Spectrum? The Breakdown

Not all infrared saunas offer full spectrum capabilities. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to the product title, as well as the product description. Most commonly, you’ll see infrared saunas labelled as “far infrared,” which means that you’re getting entirely far infrared wavelengths; infrared saunas classified as "far infrared" do not include mid and near infrared. It can be a bit confusing, we know, but please allow us to elaborate.

For example, our Joyous 2 Person’s full product name is “Joyous 2 Person Far Infrared Sauna,” so you’re getting far infrared wavelengths. Our choice to include solely far infrared in the majority of our saunas is because it generates, quite literally, all the heat within the cabin. Mid and near infrared offer great benefits, but on their own, are not capable of creating enough heat to cause perspiration.

To ensure that your infrared sauna comes equipped with all 3 infrared wavelengths (far, mid and near), the product title must state the term “Full Spectrum.” Here at JNH Lifestyles, our version of a full spectrum infrared sauna comes in the form of our Tosi™ Collection and the ProSeries 200. For instance, if you're considering the Tosi 2 Person unit, you’ll notice that the product title states, “Tosi™ 2 Person Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna.” The carbon fiber heater panels on the Tosi™ output mid and far infrared, while the additional LED strips (pictured to the right) emit near infrared. Notice from the image below that the Joyous 2 Person doesn’t feature the LED strips while the Tosi™ 2 Person does. Included in these differences are the carbon fiber heater panels; while they are visually identical, the Joyous 2 Person's carbon fiber heater panels output far infrared and, as previously stated, the Tosi™'s panels output mid AND far infrared.

What Are The Benefits of Each Wavelength?

As we brought up before, each wavelength offers its own exclusive advantages:

Near Infrared (NIR): The wavelength of NIR is the shortest of the three. It’s absorbed just below the surface of the skin, promoting wound healing, cell health/regeneration, skin revitalization and can mitigate inflammation. NIR has also been shown to help clear up acne lesions, improve fine lines and wrinkles, and encourages collagen synthesis [1][4]. 

Mid Infrared (MIR): MIR is longer than NIR, thus allowing for greater penetration into soft tissue. MIR can help with inflammation, pain and decrease overall healing time. Other benefits include weight loss and the expansion of blood vessels, which leads to improved circulation [3].

Far Infrared (FIR): Being the longest wavelength, FIR penetrates the deepest where toxins and chemicals are trapped. It can assist with weight loss and increases your heart rate. This increase in BPM’s can be equivalent to mild cardio. In addition, FIR stimulates vasodilation, which in turn increases blood flow throughout the body. FIR can also reduce pain, ease joint stiffness, decrease inflammation and alleviate overall body stress. And let’s not forget the powerful detoxification you experience through substantial perspiration. In fact, people often claim to feel energized and balanced after a FIR sauna session [2].

When all 3 wavelengths are inside of the same sauna cabin, you have yourself a powerhouse of therapeutic energy. Near, mid and far infrared work amazingly in conjunction with each other; heightening one another’s benefits and creating a great detoxification/recovery experience for the user. If you’re looking for an extra kick in your personal infrared sauna, then keep an eye out for “Full Spectrum” in the product titles. It’s a great investment for your overall health, which your mind and body will thank you for later. Experience the JNH Lifestyle by speaking with one of our infrared sauna technicians via our online chat or by dialing (800) 528-3110.

Happy Sweating!

References

[1] Barolet, Daniel MD & Boucher, Annie PhD. (2010). "Radiant Near Infrared Light Emitting Diode Exposure As Skin Preparation To Enhance Photodynamic Therapy Inflammatory Type Acne Treatment Outcome." Onlinelibrary.wiley.com, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 17 February 2010, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/lsm.20886.

[2] Laifer, Stephen. (2009). “Far Infrared Therapy Capturing The Therapeutic Benefits Of Solar Energy.” Lifeextension.com, Life Extension, June 2009, https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2009/6/far-infrared-therapy.

[3] Wszelaki, Magdalena. (2019). “The Healing Benefits Of Infrared Saunas.” Hormonesbalance.com, 6 November 2019 , https://hormonesbalance.com/articles/adrenals-articles/healing-benefits-infrared-saunas/.

[4] (2018). “The Ultimate Guide To Red Light Therapy And Near-Infrared Light Therapy.” Theenergyblueprint.com, Ari Whitten Inc., 2018, https://www.theenergyblueprint.com/red-light-therapy-ultimate-guide/.