Modern replacement bath - infrared sauna - differs from its progenitor mechanism of exposure and efficiency of warm-up. Heating in the infrared sauna is carried out with the help of special radiators, and the device itself is so compact that it can fit even in a small residential area.
Infrared sauna - what is it?
Mankind has long preferred thermal procedures for body cleansing and general sanitation. There are many kinds of baths and for the most part are public institutions:
- Turkish Hamam ;
- Roman terms;
- Finnish sauna ;
- Japanese Ofuro.
IR-sauna - is a more or less compact cabin for one or several people, equipped with special heating elements, which can be put in a house or even an apartment.
Externally, the IR sauna can look different - depending on the designer's idea. The interior decoration of the infrared sauna consists of wood - it is made of walls, seats. The front door can be made of extra strong glass or wood. The most important elements of IR-sauna are radiators, which heat the body to the temperature of sweating. Heaters are installed in such a way that the body warms up as evenly as possible.
How does infrared radiation affect a person?
Some people avoid IR saunas, believing that infrared radiation is harmful to health. This is a delusion, because the emitters produce infrared waves that do not go beyond the usual range for the human body, and this means that they can not harm. Heating in such a sauna is due to the influence of waves, and not due to heating the air.
Infrared sauna - temperature
All warm objects, including people, produce infrared waves. The length of infrared waves produced by humans is 6-20 microns. This is a range of long-wave infrared radiation, safe for all people. In infrared sauna, the length of infrared waves is 7-14 microns. During the warm-up session, the temperature in the infrared sauna does not rise too much and corresponds to a comfortable sweat release - 35-50 degrees.
Infrared sauna - good and bad
Although people have recently started using infrared radiation, the benefits and harms to humans are already known. The main secret of safety is that the IR radiation used in saunas is akin to a person. Advantages of an infrared sauna:
- Effectiveness - IR radiation deeper and more efficiently warms up the body;
- safety - due to the absence of serious heat loads, the IR sauna is easier to carry and has fewer contraindications than the usual one.
What is useful for an infrared sauna?
Due to a wide range of beneficial effects, many people increasingly prefer an infrared sauna, the benefit of which exceeds the possible negative impact. Useful effects on the body of IR-sauna:
- elimination of excess fluid and metabolic products;
- antibacterial effect, helping to fight the common cold;
- improvement of blood supply to tissues and outflow of lymph;
- increased supply of oxygen and useful microelements of cells;
- normalization of metabolism ;
- improvement of such qualities of vessels as elasticity and strength;
- decreased cholesterol ;
- increased immunity;
- normalization of water balance;
- improvement of kidney function;
- elimination of pain syndromes due to diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- acceleration of wound healing, resorption by hematoma;
- normalization of the nervous system, reduced irritability, increased resistance to stress;
- cosmetic effect - cleansing the skin, losing weight, getting rid of cellulite.
Infrared sauna - harm
Seriously carried away by the procedures in the infrared sauna, one may wonder whether infrared radiation is harmful to humans. As already mentioned, the range of infrared radiation in an infrared sauna completely corresponds to safe indicators, but harm is still possible with:
- uncontrolled increase in the duration of the procedure;
- use during the procedure of cosmetics - this will cause an allergic reaction or irritation;
- ignoring the drinking regime - a glass of water 10 minutes before the procedure and 1-2 glasses of water while visiting an infrared sauna;
- non-compliance with the rules of conduct in the infrared sauna;
- visit the infrared sauna in the presence of contraindications.
Infrared sauna - indications and contraindications
Before using thermal radiation for health and beauty, it is necessary to clarify whether in each individual case there are no contraindications to visiting an infrared sauna. The presence of any chronic disease is an occasion to visit a doctor and find out whether it is an indication or contraindication to thermal procedures. Failure to comply with this rule can lead to the addition of additional ailments to existing health problems.
Indications of infrared sauna
Sauna with infrared radiation is shown in a variety of cases. This procedure is necessary for physical and emotional overwork for a quality relaxation. Infrared sauna with cold helps at the initial stage, visit it in acute stages and with high body temperature is prohibited. IR-sauna after training allows you to remove muscle pain and tension, relax and regain strength. Infrared sauna for children is useful in reducing immunity, but it should be remembered that the procedure should be reduced to 10-15 minutes and put on a cotton panama.
An infrared sauna with:
- disorders of the nervous system, memory and attention impairment, insomnia, mood jumps, stress;
- poor circulation;
- frequent colds;
- muscular pain, rheumatism;
- skin diseases - eczema, psoriasis, acne;
- problems in the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
- syndrome of menopause;
- overweight;
- as well as during recovery from illness, surgery, trauma.
Infrared sauna - contraindications
The list of contraindications to the use of thermal procedures is wide, many of them refer to visits to infrared sauna. The diseases described below are more often mentioned in the list of contraindications to the procedures in the infrared sauna, but there are others that are conditionally banned, so a doctor's consultation is necessary. Most likely the doctor will forbid visiting at:
- acute stage of an infectious or other disease accompanied by an increase in temperature;
- presence of oncological disease;
- diabetes mellitus;
- tuberculosis;
- bleeding;
- arthritis;
- presence of purulent-inflammatory process;
- alcoholism;
- serious cardiovascular disease;
- severe exhaustion of the body.
IR-sauna - contra-indications for women:
- period of menstruation - warming up can cause severe bleeding;
- exacerbation of gynecological diseases;
- benign formations (fibroids, polyps) in the uterus - they tend to increase due to heat exposure;
- lactation period.
Many questions are caused by the infrared sauna during pregnancy. Many doctors refer this period to contraindications, however, thermal procedures during childbearing were normal for women hundreds of years in different countries. In this case, you should consult a gynecologist and take into account the general condition of a woman - if she is used to thermal procedures, they are unlikely to harm her. In any case, excessive infatuation with infrared sauna and heating in the first trimester of pregnancy is highly undesirable - this can provoke bleeding.
Infrared sauna - how to visit?
The mechanism of action of the IR-sauna on the body is different from other saunas or baths.
Infrared sauna - visiting rules
- For optimum exposure to infrared radiation in the sauna, you must take a sitting position.
- The perspiring sweat should be wiped off - moisture on the skin creates an obstruction for IR radiation and the efficiency of the procedure is reduced.
- It is forbidden to use any cosmetic means - their combination with IR radiation can be unpredictable.
- Before the procedure, it is advisable to take a shower, and after warming up - use scrubs, oils and other products.
Infrared sauna - how much to sit?
The optimal total duration of the procedure in the infrared sauna is 20 minutes. During this time the body warms up well, all excess moisture leaves and maximum cosmetic effect is achieved. Infrared sauna for weight loss does not require an increase in the duration of the procedure, but in order to obtain the maximum result, it is necessary to combine sauna visits with diet and increased motor activity. One session for energy costs replaces a 10-minute run.
Infrared sauna - how often to visit?
The answer to the question of how often one can visit an infrared sauna depends on the state of human health and the desired effect. For health improvement, doctors are advised to conduct thermal procedures 1-2 times a week. For weight reduction, it is permissible to visit the IR sauna every other day, but before starting the procedure cycle, you should consult a doctor and be sure to observe the drinking regime - at least 2 liters of water per day.