The concept of infrared sauna has come into use relatively recently. A few years ago, few could imagine that there is a more modern alternative to traditional baths and saunas, the introduction of which can bring a much greater positive effect. As it turned out, progress does not stand still. Innovative technologies, imperceptibly for us, allowed us to enhance the healing and cosmetological effect of the traditional sauna, complementing it with the positive effect of the infrared part of the spectrum. This idea has found wide application in the technological solution for infrared saunas, which have become a real source of health.

Content

1. Infrared saunas. New technologies for solving old problems
2. Physics of infrared radiation
3. Influence of infrared radiation on the body. Benefit and harm  video
4. Contraindications for visiting the infrared sauna
5. Designing an infrared sauna. The choice of infrared heaters
6. Requirements for arranging an infrared sauna  video

Infrared saunas. New technologies for solving old problems

Despite innovative technologies striding forward, it is important to understand that the use of infrared radiation in the context of saunas is just a new technological solution to the old problem, which is to heat the body. In this regard, the opposition of the infrared sauna to traditional baths and saunas is fundamentally incorrect. The only nuance of the new invention is its belonging to the group of system devices intended for healing the body.

At its core, infrared cabin saunas made from natural wood. The design of the sauna includes rear, frontal and foot infrared emitters, mainly ceramic. In order for this procedure to have an effect, a session of infrared irradiation should last no more than 30 minutes. The advantages of the infrared sauna are higher sweating, which cannot be observed when visiting an ordinary bath. The temperature conditions are much milder, in view of the fact that the method of infrared irradiation consists in a direct effect on the human body, in contrast to indirect heating, which is used in average saunas.

Physics of infrared radiation

Physics clearly explains the benefits of direct thermal influence. In ordinary baths, stones, air, and only then the human body are heated first. This is disadvantageous from the standpoint of the fact that low thermal conductivity of air leads to significant heat loss, which leads to a higher temperature regime in the bath.

The heating mechanism in infrared saunas is exactly the opposite: the waves of the infrared part of the spectrum directly affect the irradiated object, which significantly reduces heat loss and leads to a more noticeable therapeutic effect.

The increased humidity observed in the traditional type of bath also negatively affects the body of people, especially those predisposed to the development of heart and vascular diseases. This is due to the increased partial pressure of atmospheric oxygen.

The effect of infrared radiation on the body. Benefit and harm

In medicine, the mechanism of interaction of infrared radiation with the tissues of the human body is described in detail. The primary effect in this multifaceted chain is a hyperthermic reaction, manifested in redness. It is short-lived and leaves behind a painkiller. The subsequent spasm of the vessels, being short-term, according to all the laws of the genre, is replaced by their persistent expansion and increased blood circulation in the human body.

A further link in this physiological chain is the strengthening of tissue metabolism with the instant activation of all redox reactions.

It is not surprising that this entire reactive cascade promotes the stimulation of immunity and enhances phagocytosis in the lesion, which can be attributed to the anti-inflammatory effect of the infrared wave. As a result of this, the immune reactivity and the body's resistance to infections of various origins are significantly increased. The development of the spectrum of these reactions contributes to the infrared sauna. Its benefit does not end there, since infrared radiation has an effective effect on all organs and systems.

Contraindications for visiting the infrared sauna

The harm from the infrared sauna is a rarer phenomenon.

A limited range of contraindications makes the procedure for exposure to infrared radiation accessible to almost all people who do not suffer from serious pathologies. The most striking contraindications that must be remembered are malignant neoplasms, diseases of the blood system, hormone-dependent tumors and colds, accompanied by fever. Also prohibited are any chronic diseases that are in the acute stage, active tuberculosis and purulent processes in the acute stage.

Designing an infrared sauna. The choice of infrared heaters

The main goal of designing an infrared sauna is to create a uniform energy field in the infrared spectrum. This effect is provided by infrared heaters for a sauna and depends on their quantity, power and distance to the human body. Moreover, it is worth noting that the number of heaters is correlated with the size of the sauna. If the rules for placing heaters are violated, then the uniformity of the distribution of the infrared field will be violated, as zones with weak heating will appear.

Requirements for arranging an infrared sauna

If you decide to equip an infrared sauna with your own hands, you should remember a number of requirements for the design of an infrared cabin.

Firstly, the shields for the sauna must have a strong and reliable fastening, the mechanism of which will not interfere with the assembly / disassembly of the structure, that is, it should be quite simple to operate;

Secondly, the design of the cabin provides for the absolute absence of any gaps, while the joints of the panels must be sealed with special material or equipped with a structure that prevents the penetration of air flows;

Thirdly, the surface of the cabin, in the case of its manufacture from natural materials, must be varnished, which will protect it from excessive pollution;

Another feature of a properly designed infrared sauna is the seats and floor, made of a solid array and coated with water-based varnish, which is necessary to comply with operating rules. This feature allows you to avoid spots during the process of increased sweating and makes it possible to wet the cab.

And finally, it is not recommended to combine infrared heaters and stoves, since the desire to create a universal thing will deprive you of the opportunity to experience the therapeutic effect of infrared radiation. This is due to the fact that the power of furnaces is much higher than the power of infrared emitters, which turns your invention into a standard sauna. It also brings additional difficulties when choosing materials, in view of the fact that their operational characteristics will have to meet the requirements for materials for a sauna, namely, it relates to resistance to high temperature and humidity.

Author: Sergey and Svetlana Khuentsov

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