Striving for a healthy, sustainable lifestyle is more important today than ever. We are living through some of history's most notable, world-changing events. From a global pandemic to serious environmental changes, we are battling unforeseen pollutants, toxins and diseases in our lives.
These and other global events have made day-to-day life perpetually stressful. Chronic stress of this nature, mixed with poor diet and exercise along with an ever-changing environment can slowly but surely harm the body and mind.
This comes as no surprise, but it is the reason people are continually searching for natural methods to help them feel better, more relaxed and re-energized. That's where infrared saunas come in.
What is an Infrared Sauna?
Infrared saunas are a relatively new therapeutic device in the wellness industry, bringing many health benefits, both physically and mentally. Infrared waves are used to produce heat, a method that has been used for decades as a medicinal tool for pain reduction, decreasing cardiovascular risk and boosting the immune system.
Infrared waves are a type of energy that is invisible to the human eye, but experienced as heat. It was originally discovered in 1800 by Sir William Herschel. Ever since, it has been used in many ways - both in the medical field and everyday life.
The first version of an infrared sauna was invented in the 19th century by John Harvey Kellogg (yes, that Kellogg), who believed that the body can be purified through sweating. Their use was not commercialized, however, until 1979 when these devices became available to the American public. Today, infrared energy has a myriad of applications - everything from keeping newborn infants warm to remote control devices found in most homes.
How Does An Infrared Sauna Work?
Infrared is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, that appears after the color red. When examined further, it is actually separated into three wavelengths: near infrared, mid infrared and far infrared.
Each wavelength brings different properties, offering a unique set of health benefits to the human body. There are 2 primary types of infrared saunas: far infrared saunas and full spectrum saunas. For the purposes of this article, we will examine the far infrared sauna technology.
To learn more, see our article about full spectrums saunas.
Far infrared is the primary source of heat generation within any type of infrared sauna. It works by penetrating the body and vibrating water molecules within. This continuous vibration creates friction, which is then transferred into heat.
This is the warmth you feel throughout your body when sitting inside an infrared sauna. The sun uses infrared heat in the same exact way in order to warm the planet.
What Is a Far Infrared Sauna?
The term infrared sauna is generally synonymous with far infrared sauna. Specifically, far infrared saunas emit virtually nothing but far infrared waves.
This begs the question, "why just far infrared since there are 3 types of infrared wavelengths?" The answer is that far infrared is the primary wavelength responsible for creating heat. Without it, we wouldn't have a sauna! It also has numerous health benefits.
Types of Far Infrared Sauna Heaters
Choosing the right infrared sauna for your home can be a challenge, but we're here to help. One of the most important decisions when buying a sauna is what type of heater to select. The two choices currently available on the market have major differences as described below.
The two types of heaters most prominent in the infrared sauna industry are carbon fiber and ceramic.
Carbon Fiber Heaters
Carbon fiber heaters are safe and energy-efficient panels that use carbon fiber as their heating element, with the ability to cool down rapidly. The panels are flat and have a larger surface area, providing greater heat distribution throughout the cabin. They also use significantly less energy than their ceramic counterparts and do not burn you when accidentally touched.*
Ceramic Heaters
This heater type uses a ceramic rod to generate infrared heat throughout the sauna. This rod must be red hot in order to operate, leading to a shorter lifespan because ceramic becomes brittle over time.
With its high surface temperature requirement, ceramic heaters can also potentially burn its users, as well as create an overly hot internal environment. Ceramic rods are easy to replace and considerably cheaper, making them a common choice in the infrared saunas marketplace.
Heater types can also determine what levels of EMF your infrared sauna will output. At JNH Lifestyles, we understand that some individuals need to regulate such exposure for medicinal purposes, so we created the Ensi™ Collection. Learn more here.
What are EMF's?
Also known as electric and magnetic fields, EMF's are invisible energy fields that fall under two categories: non-ionizing and ionizing. More demand for electricity and advancements in technology created more man-made EMF's that surround us at work, home and even outside.
Simply put, everyone is continually exposed to EMF's. From the refrigerator in your kitchen to your smartphone, it's virtually unavoidable. There's been extensive research done by government agencies on the potential effects of EMF exposure. The most notable can be found here.
Regardless, we understand that some individuals need to lessen their EMF exposure for medical and personal reasons. While it's impossible to create an infrared sauna with no EMF, we have implemented ultra-low EMF emittance (0.32 mG**) in the Tosi and Ensi Collection, as well as the ProSeries 200. Learn more about EMF's here.
Home Infrared Sauna Cabin Sizes
Another important factor in choosing an infrared sauna is the size of the cabin. Consider these questions. Do you have a large household? How many people will be using the sauna? Do you have the space for a larger cabin or do you need something smaller?
These are just some of the questions to ask before choosing a home sauna. For your convenience, we offer 1-4 person cabins, with the 4 person size having two different configurations. Our size options are as follows:
1 Person
Perfect for single users who don’t mind taking turns if sharing with others. Its compact size makes it perfect for smaller residences. Its exterior dimensions are: 35.5" (W) x 35.5" (D) x 75" (H).
2 Person
A favorite among couples and small families. Still small enough to reasonably fit within smaller residences. Solo-users also love these for the extra elbow room. Its exterior dimensions are: 47.3" (W) x 39.5" (D) x 75" (H).
3 Person
Ideal for small-to-medium sized families/households. Also loved by partners who appreciate more room in their sauna cabin. Its exterior dimensions are: 59.1" (W) x 39.5" (D) x 75" (H).
4 Person
Excellent for medium-to-large sized families/households. Available in 2 different
structural variations:
Rectangular: 70.9"(W) x 47.3"(D) x 75"(H)
Corner: 59.1" (Back) x 25.6" (Side) x 47.3" (Front) x 75" (H)
If you have questions or need advice about any JNH Lifestyles’ infrared sauna, or accompanying accessories, feel free to contact our customer service or reach out to us on all major social media platforms. Our specialists will gladly provide any assistance and steer you in the right direction. Thank you for your time and happy sweating!
