The fact that baths and saunas are capable of exerting a healing effect on the entire human body has long been known to people. Regular visits to the bath helped to cure many diseases. This is due to the fact that during the bathing procedures, the pores of the skin open, and the heat entering through them into the body activates the work of all its cells.
The history of the bath goes back to ancient times - in those distant times when our ancestors were pagans. They worshiped such natural elements as fire and water, so they attached special importance to the steam room because of their presence there. It was believed that a person, having washed in a bath, could absorb the power of these elements, and this made his health better, and he became physically stronger.
Today, in the age of modern technology, a unique invention has appeared that made a powerful competition to the saunas and steam rooms familiar to all, but has nothing to do with water procedures. We are talking about an infrared sauna, the benefits and harms of which will be discussed in detail in this material.
IR rays and their effects on humans
At the beginning of the 19th century, the English astronomer W. Herschel, using a sensitive thermometer, discovered invisible rays that caused an increase in temperature. This radiation is called infrared. It is also known as “thermal,” because a person with his skin can perceive it as a sensation of heat from heated objects. Let's look at how infrared radiation of a different spectrum affects the body.
Long-term infrared rays with long-term use can harm human health due to the ability to penetrate the body to a depth of several centimeters and have a thermal effect on internal organs. On the surface of the skin, the effects of their effects are manifested in the form of severe redness and even the formation of blisters. Heat stroke also comes from short-wave infrared rays.
Since moisture on the surface of the skin absorbs more than 90% of IR long-wave radiation, only a slight increase in the temperature of the skin is felt. Numerous studies in this area show that these waves not only do not harm human health, but also contribute to strengthening immunity, as well as the rapid restoration of damaged organs and systems. And the most effective are infrared rays, which have a wavelength of 9.6 microns. These properties of infrared rays are widely used in medicine, in everyday life and cosmetology. For example, so-called infrared saunas have become popular today , the benefits and harms of which are described below.
New spa: infrared saunas
It has been quite a while since the first time a new type of service was offered in the spas - the infrared sauna. Its creator was the Japanese physician Tadashi Ishikawa. In appearance, this sauna is more like a small booth with infrared heaters than a familiar bath. Most of the customers did not know how to use the infrared sauna, so at first they mistrusted the innovation.
The owners of sports clubs and spas managed to cope with this problem by organizing training for them right on the spot. But even after this, visitors remained confident that the infrared sauna was both good and bad at the same time. To understand how useful or dangerous this “know-how” is, we first need to figure out how it works.
How is the infrared sauna
As a rule, in the manufacture of most booths of infrared saunas, high-quality, environmentally friendly natural wood is used. And Canadian cedar is best suited for this purpose. Natural wood, when heated, begins to secrete substances such as volatile. They have the ability, once in the environment, to completely clean it from all harmful bacteria, fungi and microbes. Therefore, each visit to the infrared sauna only helps to strengthen our health.
The infrared sauna equipment consists of several ceramic heat emitters and a control panel. These devices produce waves that pass through the air and penetrate the body to a depth of several centimeters, warming up all the internal organs of a person, his joints and muscles. At the same time, the temperature of the infrared sauna in the booth does not exceed +60 degrees, so a person comfortably transfers this procedure.
Feature and duration of the procedure
Every day, an increasing number of people receive information from the television and the Internet about the benefits and dangers of infrared saunas. In order for the thermal procedures that they undergo in the booth to have a beneficial effect on the body, it is necessary to observe the rules for visiting it:
- In the booth of the IR sauna, depending on the size, there can be from 1 to 5 people. Infrared emitters are placed in the walls and under the seats so that their waves simultaneously affect all parts of the body.
- A session lasts an average of 30 minutes and should be continuous. In the future, with the adaptation of the body, it can be extended up to 40 minutes.
- 1.5 hours before visiting the sauna, you should refrain from eating.
- The procedure is carried out in a sitting position.
- Hands should be extended along the body, while you should try to keep your back straight.
- After the procedure, take only a warm shower. Contrast is not recommended.
- The loss of fluid in the process of perspiration can be compensated for with a small amount of green tea or mineral water. Any herbal tea is also suitable.
All these rules are detailed in the instructions for the infrared sauna, which is usually located right at the entrance, on the wall of the cabin.
The benefits and therapeutic effects of the procedure
If you start a regular visit to the IR sauna, then its beneficial effect on the human body will begin to manifest itself very soon. In fact, the beneficial effect is felt as soon as you cross the threshold of the booth and the reception of thermal baths begins. Excessive sweating from this procedure quickly removes toxins and toxins from the body, returning it to strength and health.
What is the use of an infrared sauna and what ailments does it relieve if the procedures are carried out regularly? Let's get acquainted with the results. So:
- regular visits strengthens the immune system, rejuvenation of the whole body;
- infrared rays have a positive effect on blood vessels, eliminating the fragility of their walls;
- sessions in infrared saunas reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease;
- increase the supply of oxygen to the brain, which helps to improve memory;
- the body is cleansed of toxins and toxins;
- the nervous system is strengthened and mental stress is relieved, sleep is restored;
- joint splicing after a fracture is accelerated, as well as wound healing, etc.
Not all therapeutic effects obtained during the procedures in the infrared sauna are listed here. Indications for its use are much wider, and we will also consider them in this article.
Harm from infrared sauna
Today, an infrared cabin can be found everywhere where they provide services in the field of beauty and health. These are beauty salons, spas and fitness clubs. It can now be purchased both for the office and installed in your apartment. And for all its safety, which we mentioned earlier, using the infrared sauna, it is still worth observing some safety measures:
- First of all, this applies to those fans of infrared procedures who undergo a medical course of treatment. They are advised to consult their doctor before visiting the sauna.
- Thermal treatment can bring maximum benefits and not harm health if you follow the necessary rules for the use of infrared saunas.
The contraindications that are available are the following:
- it is forbidden to conduct procedures in the infrared sauna if there is a serious illness;
- You can not violate the set time mode for such sessions;
- it is undesirable to use an infrared cabin if physical or emotional stress is expected;
- it is forbidden to visit the sauna in the presence of hypertension, cancer or bleeding;
- thermal procedures are prohibited for serious gynecological problems and some other diseases.
When losing weight
Today, the problem of obesity has become an epidemic and is global in nature. Overweight is being fought all over the world, as they are not only a cosmetic problem, but also a danger to human health.
Various methods are used to combat excess weight. An infrared sauna is one of them and has proven itself perfectly in this.
It’s no secret that with heavy sweating, a large amount of energy is consumed, which means that many calories are burned. Studies in this area have shown that one procedure in an infrared sauna can be compared with a 10 km run. During the session, there is an increase in blood circulation and metabolism, which contributes to the fastest burning of body fat.
After such procedures, skin elasticity is significantly improved and the “orange peel” is smoothed. And the best effect in the fight against excess weight can be achieved in just two months, if you combine diet and exercise with procedures in an infrared sauna. The indications are the same as given above.
IR sauna in cosmetology
Infrared light has been widely used in cosmetology. Acceptance of procedures in an infrared sauna leads to an excellent cosmetic effect, when under the influence of heat and profuse sweating, deep cleansing of the skin occurs. During the session, it is freed through open pores from dirt and dead old cells.
Under the influence of infrared radiation, blood flow to the skin increases, which helps to improve the flow of nutrients to it, which makes it more elastic and looks much younger. Nourishing creams after such a procedure are absorbed much more effectively. When visiting infrared saunas in beauty salons, various oncological diseases, such as skin cancer, benign or malignant tumors, may be contraindications.
With a regular visit to the infrared sauna, you can get rid of many diseases of the skin. Infrared rays perfectly cope with such ailments as various dermatitis, boils, eczema, acne and teenage acne. There is evidence that procedures in infrared saunas help to cure even psoriasis. Also, with the help of infrared irradiation sessions, it is possible to promote the rapid resorption of postoperative scars if this is done soon after the operation. Fresh scars are removed without any trace.
In beauty salons, visitors, before doing a massage, also visit the infrared cabin, because after it the muscles become relaxed. Most often, you can do without preliminary warming procedures using various ointments.
For children
Infrared saunas are also recommended for children. Regular visits with her child will save parents from problems such as seasonal colds in their children. After all, thermal infrared procedures will have a strengthening effect on the child’s body and will enhance its immunity. If the infrared sauna is also equipped with a special tile made of Himalayan salt, then such a booth will be especially useful for the child.
Before you visit the infrared sauna with your baby, you need to consult a pediatrician. This is due to the fact that children's skin is much thinner, and it cannot regulate heat transfer in the same way as adult skin.
We must not forget that a child is allowed to visit the infrared cabin with a cotton panama. And, most importantly, if you visit an infrared sauna with your child, the time spent there should not exceed 15 minutes.
Rules of visit and individual portability of the procedure
In order to get the maximum benefit from visiting the IR sauna, you need to adhere to several simple rules:
- Before starting thermal infrared procedures, you must remove all cosmetics from yourself, as it can cause allergies or burns;
- both before and after the sauna it is not recommended to eat a lot, it is better to have a snack 1.5 hours before the session or drink a cup of herbal tea;
- since the procedure in the booth itself causes a loss of moisture from the body, it should be replenished with a plentiful drink, in this case you will avoid the appearance of unwanted wrinkles;
- you need to go into the sauna, taking a warm shower, and then wipe yourself dry;
- you need to take 2-3 towels and a hat from cotton cloth with you to the booth;
- a session of taking infrared baths should not exceed 35 minutes.
These simple rules for infrared saunas are written so that visitors feel comfortable and do not harm their health. As a result, they will receive excellent well-being and good mood.
The rules also provide detailed instructions on how often you can visit the infrared sauna. It must be remembered that although there are no restrictions on the number of sessions, in order to achieve the desired effect in healing, you need to visit the sauna regularly, and not often. That is, it is better to take one session seven days a week than seven sessions a day.
In conclusion, I would like to say that, despite the safety of the infrared sauna, some people may have individual intolerance to such procedures. Therefore, before you go there for the first time, it is better to get advice from your doctor.