How beneficial are infrared saunas? Can they harm a person?

SHARE ON SOCIAL NETWORKS

FacebookTwitterOkGoogle+PinterestVk

From this article you can find out what features and properties an infrared sauna has: the benefits and harms of radiation, its effect on the human body, rules for using infrared cabins, their types, operating principles and design. The text contains recommendations from experts, indications and contraindications for use, consumer reviews and prices for emitters.

Infrared sauna device ^

Infrared saunas consist of a small, wood-lined cabin containing infrared heaters . There are several of them:

• rear;
• corner (front);
• foot (installed under the bench).

Sauna heaters special ceramics . Their location ensures uniform heating of the sauna visitor. The air temperature in the sauna is low, oxygen is not burned during operation .

Many fitness clubs and beauty salons have recently acquired such saunas. But you can enjoy this procedure at home by installing a shower stall with an infrared sauna.

What is the benefit

Visiting booths with IR emitters promotes healing and strengthening of the body.

An infrared sauna has the following beneficial effects on the body:

• reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases;
• relieves muscle tension;
• promotes cell rejuvenation;
• increases immunity;
• accelerates wound healing;

• removes waste and toxins;
• relieves muscle spasm;
• reduces or completely eliminates headaches.
• stimulates and normalizes kidney function.

After a session in the infrared sauna, a person feels:

• psychological comfort;
• relaxation;

• reduction of muscle pain;
• lightness in the body.

Expert opinion

Lovkachev Boris Petrovich

Bath master who knows everything about steaming

A significant advantage of an infrared sauna is ease of use and mobility. Installation of the booth does not require a lot of free space, the controls are simple.

Shower cabins with infrared sauna ^

The shower cabin is a compact product, along the perimeter of which infrared emitters made of zirconium ceramics .

Products of this kind belong to the group of mini-saunas. The overall dimensions of such booths are small, they can be installed in any apartment.

As for execution, it depends on the manufacturer and cost.

For example, InfraSun are equipped with heated floors and can be equipped with music players .

And the Saunalux at the request of the consumer, can be equipped with a color therapy unit .

Russiana cabin is equipped with a control panel , which is located inside and outside the sauna.

In Moscow, a popular company selling sauna cabins is the company Saunastroyservice .

However, in addition to cabins, its assortment includes all the components of infrared saunas, by purchasing which, those who like to do everything with their own hands can install an infrared sauna on their own.

The opposite of a regular and infrared sauna is a cryosauna, where the therapeutic effect is achieved using cold. This is a very useful procedure, but first read the article Cryosauna contraindications so as not to harm your health in any way!

Since we touched on the topic of air cooling, another interesting article is devoted to the choice of air conditioners for an apartment and, in particular, split systems, describing both the advantages and disadvantages of these devices, you can read the article itself here, it is very interesting and useful information.

How to choose an IR booth

When purchasing an infrared sauna for your home, it is important to pay attention to the following parameters:

Dimensions

Manufacturers offer cabins with 1, 2, 3 or more seats. Large cabins are designed for installation in country houses, if there is sufficient space. For city apartments, it is better to choose models designed for 1-2 people. If necessary, you can visit them on a first-come, first-served basis.

Shape and design

It all depends on taste preferences. There are models of square, angular or round shape. The main parameter in this case is the configuration of the room where the booth will be installed.

Interior decoration

Only natural wood is acceptable. Which variety – it all depends on your preferences and financial capabilities. Cedar has maximum healing power.

Attention! If your “infrared sauna” uses underfloor heating mats, a film heater or elements hidden behind the walls of the cabin, then such a cabin belongs to low-temperature panel saunas, but not to infrared saunas.

Positive properties ^

• Infrared rays gently warm the body, dilating blood vessels and thereby improving blood circulation;
• during the procedure, lactic acid is removed from the muscles, and, therefore, pain after physical activity is reduced;
• It is much easier to take a procedure in an infrared sauna than in a regular sauna, because the visitor breathes normal, not overheated air containing a normal level of oxygen;
• Even people suffering from vegetative-vascular dystonia ;

Negative properties of an infrared sauna^

• A sauna can have a harmful effect if a visitor abuses it or takes the procedure contrary to a doctor’s prohibition during illness;
• using a sauna before physical activity will harm the body ;
• Infrared radiation will have a harmful effect on the skin if cosmetics are applied to it that are not intended for this particular type of sauna.
• Conventional “bath” cosmetics, essential oils , can become more active under the influence of rays, which will lead to allergic reactions or burns ;
• an infrared sauna can lead to dehydration, so it is necessary to maintain a drinking regime during the session ;
• increasing the duration of the session leads to overload of the heart muscle.

Unpleasant moments can be avoided by studying the rules for using a sauna with infrared radiation and strictly observing them.

So, perhaps you have decided to purchase a home mini-sauna. In this (and in any other) case, a refrigerator will be very useful for you to cool your favorite drinks, which are so nice to drink after visiting the sauna. However, we are often faced with the question of which refrigerator to choose in order to choose exactly what we need? All the information is in this article!

Useful information about kitchen hoods from Krona, in particular the Camilla 600 model, here, it’s very interesting!

As you know, an infrared sauna cannot be used in high humidity conditions. How to measure its level? Read all about devices for measuring air humidity, what they are, how to choose, how much they cost, here: https://about-air.ru/vozduh_i_zdorovie/uvlazhnenie-vozduha/pribor-dlya-izmereniya-vlazhnosti-vozduha.html, the most current and useful information!

Buy or equip

The average price in stores for imported cabins varies to a maximum of 170-190 thousand rubles. A portable one costs between 31-35 thousand.

Making an infrared sauna with your own hands will be economical for the family budget. Requires minimal skills, instructions, and a standard set of tools. In an apartment, the best option would be a single cabin. For a cottage, you can aim for a three-seater.

The miniature infrared sauna looks like a parallelepiped, width 1000x1000x2000 mm. The size of the cabin base increases depending on the number of seats. The structure is well attached, but it is important to provide for the possibility of dismantling.

The joints are sealed to prevent the influx of cold. The outer side, floor, and shelves are made of wood, which must be coated with water-based varnish; frequent wet cleaning will be required.

For interior decoration, lining made from wood species that do not contain essential oils is suitable. We need corners, cornices, and fasteners for installation. Beam, secure frame and board to form benches.

Door made of heat-resistant glass. Infrared heaters, lighting device, components: sensors, sockets, cable. The electrical part is carried out according to the instructions for the equipment and in compliance with electrical safety standards.

Electrical safety^

The emitters used in infrared saunas have a high degree of electrical and thermal protection, but if used incorrectly, they can cause injury. Therefore, the following rules must be observed:

• Dismantling and installation of heaters can only be done when the power supply is turned off ;
• The emitters must not be exposed to shock loads ;
• electrical appliances must be reliably grounded ;
• installation of an RCD (residual current device) is mandatory;
• electrical wiring and socket must be designed for a current of at least 16 A ;
• in the sauna, children, the elderly and disabled people should not be in the sauna unattended.

As a rule, the maximum effect from visiting an infrared sauna is achieved if you simultaneously engage in any kind of sport. The most effective here are aerobic training, in particular running. Read the article How to breathe properly when running to make your workouts as effective as possible!

And also about a healthy lifestyle. What to do if you quit smoking and it becomes difficult to breathe? Useful information is in this article, take care of your health!

Prohibited ^

• use infrared emitters in conditions of high humidity ;
• allow electrical cables to come into contact with hot surfaces;
• remove protective grilles from heaters;
• place foreign objects behind the protective grille;
• pour liquid onto the surface of the heaters;
• Use homemade fuses or faulty circuit breakers;
• Use incandescent lamps with a power of more than 100 W .

Emitter types

Infrared emitters can be classified according to the length and range of emitted waves into the following types:

• Short - from 2.6 microns with a heater temperature of 800 degrees and above.
• Medium - from 2.6 to 51 microns with a heater temperature from 320 to 620 degrees.
• Long - from 51 to 200 microns with a heater temperature of up to 320 degrees.

Important! The shorter the wavelength, the more intense the heating of surrounding objects.

Long waves are the safest and most comfortable, and this can be explained by the fact that the human body is capable of emitting thermal radiation in the long-wave range from 65 to 200 microns. Long waves provide deep penetration and warming of the entire body.

Small infrared cabins are equipped with short-wave emitters for floor, wall and ceiling placement.

For the production of IR emitters, modern heat-resistant and durable materials are used:

• Ceramics.
• Steel – stainless, galvanized or chrome plated.
• Incoloy is a special alloy of nickel, iron and chromium.
• Quartz glass.

Emitters are selected based on the technical parameters of the cabin - material, dimensions and design.

Rules for using an infrared sauna ^

Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to preheat the emitters for 10-15 minutes .

Please note that the air temperature in the cabin does not provide information about the readiness of the sauna for use.

It can be assessed only by the heating temperature of the surface of the emitters. When the required temperature is reached, the heaters automatically turn off.

It is not necessary to close the door to the cabin: this does not affect the quality of the procedure.

The procedure taken on an empty stomach is harmful (as well as on a full stomach). You should eat 1.5 hours before visiting the sauna.

Half an hour before the procedure, you should drink 0.5 liters of water , preferably mineral water. Drinking plenty of fluids is also necessary after the procedure.

This will protect the body from excessive fluid loss. Water should not be replaced with sugary drinks or juices.

Do not take medications before visiting the sauna: under the influence of heat they can change their properties. Alcohol and drugs are also prohibited.

The optimal session duration is 30 minutes . The exception is warming up the body before training: in this case, it is enough to stay in the sauna until the first drops of sweat appear.

Procedures should not be taken during periods of acute illness. In any case, you should first consult with your doctor.

People with various types of implants can visit an infrared sauna only after consulting a doctor.

Operating principle

Many supporters of a healthy lifestyle have long been interested in the infrared sauna, as it has many benefits. First, let's look at what it is.

An infrared sauna is a special device represented by a compact cabin, the wall structures of which are made of environmentally friendly and safe wood. Ceramic emitters are built into the walls and benches.

The cabin can accommodate from 1 to 6 people, depending on the dimensions of the structure. Similar cabins are used in beauty and fitness centers, sports clubs, private houses and apartments.

The infrared cabin operates on the emitter principle. In active mode, safe, deep-penetrating infrared waves are released, which provide slow and uniform heating of the entire body. Maximum heating promotes increased sweating, improved blood flow and detoxification of the body.

The main difference between an infrared sauna and a traditional bath is the temperature, which does not exceed 55 degrees (in ordinary steam rooms it can reach 110 degrees).

In addition, no more than 20% of the energy released by the emitters is used to warm the air, while in a traditional bath up to 85% of the heat is spent heating the room.

Infrared sauna: reviews ^

The opinions of users of saunas with infrared emitters can be divided into three groups:

1. positive (by the way, they are the majority): people use the sauna for a long time and get a lot of pleasure from the procedure;
2. neutral: users felt good in the sauna. But we didn’t see much of an effect either;
3. negative: after visiting the sauna, people received only negative emotions: they were cold and uncomfortable in the cabin.

However, all these reviews cannot reflect the true picture: after all, they all experienced different saunas, and it is not known what was the reason for the negative opinion : the very principle of the sauna or its poor quality.

Design features

Structurally, the infrared sauna is represented by a cabin of various geometries and sizes with a separate entrance. The minimum dimensions of the device are 1000×1000×1950 mm.

The dimensions of the sauna are determined by the internal volume and the total number of visitors for which it is designed. Additionally, the design features and dimensions of the room in which it will be installed are taken into account.

To make a sauna, heat-resistant wood species are used that have a powerful therapeutic effect on the body - linden, aspen, cedar, hemlock, pine and kambara. The internal elements of the structure are carefully sanded and tinted.

All materials are environmentally friendly and safe to use. Infrared wave emitters are installed in the benches and wall surfaces, ensuring effective heat exchange in the cabin.

In addition, the sauna is equipped with an effective control system and additional options in the form of built-in equipment for color therapy, an acoustic system, an ionizer and an air humidifier.

The main source of infrared waves is a spiral-shaped resistor installed in a hollow tube and filled with finely dispersed quartz.