Infrared saunas are probably a household name by now. Even people who don't actively engage with the topic generally know what an infrared cabin is and can imagine how it works.
A popular term in connection with heat cabins lately is also the red light sauna. However, unlike infrared saunas, this often raises questions. The mention of red light saunas often enough leads to puzzled faces.
In this blog post, we will delve into red light saunas and provide you with all the important information you should know about this type of sauna.
The term "red light sauna" consists of two different terms:
"Sauna" in connection with the word "red light sauna"
"A sauna is a room that is heated to 80 to 105 degrees Celsius using a sauna heater. Sweating in the sauna can promote health and relaxation. Public saunas are often connected to a public swimming pool or a gym and can be combined with other facilities such as steam baths or a warm air bath."
Wikipedia
A sauna, therefore, represents a room or an environment in which people sweat under the influence of increased temperature. Classically, this refers to a traditional or Finnish sauna.
This must be preheated for about half an hour before use, heating the entire room. Once the desired heat is reached, the sauna sessions can begin.
Such sauna sessions typically last about 5 to 15 minutes and are alternated with cold treatments such as cold showers. This process is repeated several times depending on preference.
Nowadays, the term infrared sauna or infrared heat cabin has become established. In this environment, people can also sweat at about 60 degrees Celsius. However, the heat is primarily generated by infrared emitters, and not by hot air.
This means that the entire room is not heated, but rather the body is heated from within.
In contrast to the classic sauna, only one session is usually carried out here, which can last between 20 and 45 minutes. However, it naturally varies depending on whether you go into the infrared cabin with or without clothing.
"Red light" in connection with the word "red light sauna"
What a sauna is should be clear by now. But to properly understand the term "red light sauna," we need to define both parts of the word first.
Red light refers to red light, which forms part of the visible light spectrum. Red light has a spectral range of approx. 600 to 780nm.
Within this spectral range, the intensity, energy, and color composition of red light differ. In the wellness and health sector, red light is usually used either via red light lamps or in red light therapy.
Red light lamps are used for localized warming of a body region to dilate blood vessels and provide relaxation. Red light therapy is used to help increase cell energy through the effect of photobiomodulation (PBM).
For the PBM effect, two different wavelengths are required. On the one hand, red light with a wavelength of 600 to 660nm is needed, and on the other hand, near-infrared (infrared-A) with a wavelength of 800 to 860nm is required. Near-infrared should not be confused with far-infrared (IR-B radiation).
When these two wavelengths come together, the PBM effect occurs. This activates the photoreceptors in our skin, which in turn activates our mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cells. The mitochondria then produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which, put simply, gives us humans more energy at a cellular level.
So what exactly is a "red light sauna"?
The term "red light sauna" or a corresponding definition does not exist in this sense. Rather, it is a classic blending of two wellness applications. More precisely, the word represents a mixture of saunas in a sauna or infrared sauna with the use of red light or red light therapy.
To clearly label it, the term red light sauna was created for these wellness applications.
If you had to translate the phrase red light sauna word for word, then a red light sauna would be a type of room that uses intense red light to make people sweat.
However, this is not possible in this form, as red light - especially red light or red light in combination with near-infrared light - is used for the purpose of photobiomodulation.
But this light does not produce heat and the purpose is not to make people sweat. In fact, it is purely about activating the mitochondria.
Our assumption is that the term red light sauna actually refers to an infrared sauna or infrared heat cabin. However, it can easily happen that one gets confused with the terms and does not understand the difference between red light and infrared light.
So, if you want to learn more about red light saunas or are thinking about buying one, you should think about it carefully. Because you might not mean red light at all, but rather:
- The use of a red light or infrared lamp
- Red light therapy
- An infrared sauna or infrared heat cabin
- An infrared sauna with the addition of red light therapy
Each of these products has its own functions and modes of action. Therefore, it is also of fundamental importance that you understand the differences between these applications.
Here are the most important differences:
- The classic red light lamp
These are small, hot red light lamps, mostly operated with halogen bulbs. They serve to dilate blood vessels and are therefore considered a thermal application. Red light lamps are a popular remedy for colds, e.g., to clear the nasal passages.
- Red light therapy
Red light therapy is a form of light treatment using LEDs. It uses red and near-infrared light. This form of therapy is particularly popular in the cold season, as it helps to increase energy in the mitochondria.
- An infrared sauna
Here we are talking about a room that is heated by infrared emitters. The primary goal is to increase your core temperature and consequently make you sweat. Infrared cabins offer several advantages here.
This thermal full-body treatment is used in many ways, especially for more relaxation, stress reduction, a more even complexion, to strengthen the immune system or against muscle tension and can even provide relief for rheumatic diseases.
- Infrared sauna with red light therapy
This combines the aforementioned effects of infrared sauna and red light therapy. This means you feel the beneficial effects of sweating in infrared heat in combination with the invigorating effect of red light therapy.
A red light sauna offers a unique combination of traditional sauna and modern red light therapy, providing numerous health benefits such as improved circulation, muscle relaxation, and cell regeneration. To unlock the full potential of this wellness application, we recommend the Clearlight Red Light Therapy Device. This high-quality device can be easily integrated into your existing infrared sauna, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of red light therapy.
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