Infrared Therapy Uses Light and Heat to Provide Health Benefits

Sometimes what you can’t see can help you. 

That’s definitely the case with infrared therapy in the form of both light and heat.

Our eyes can’t see infrared light because its longer wavelength puts it outside the spectrum of vision, yet the benefits of infrared therapy are widespread and becoming more popular. Infrared therapy offers natural, drug-free and chemical-free options for improving health and wellbeing. It may even help you look younger and feel better.

Light therapy

We’re routinely advised to avoid ultraviolet light because it can damage skin over time. Yet infrared and red light therapy are shown to repair sun damage, reduce wrinkles and build collagen. 

Although infrared light is invisible, red light is visible. Many red light therapy systems use small amounts of infrared in combination with red LED lights.

“Red light is considered low-infrared. It penetrates the body to perform intra-cellular repair and helps the healing process. It’s one of our most popular treatments. You feel the benefits from it,” notes Sabrina Ciceri of Immunity Health in The Villages.

Immunity Health has a red light, TheraLight 360 bed that utilizes red and near-infrared light. This FDA-approved technology is also known as Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT). Benefits include:

• Pain relief
• Reduced inflammation
• Relief of joint pain and stiffness
• Improved muscle performance and recovery
• Cell repair and detox
• Increased circulation
• Supports immune function
• Decreased hair loss
• Wrinkle reduction
• Builds collagen
• Repairs sun damage
• Fades scars 

Research has shown that red light therapy can effectively treat hair loss caused by the genetic disorder androgenic alopecia. Studies show it can also help relieve pain of rheumatoid arthritis and help those with dementia be less angry and sleep better. 

Multiple celebrities promote red light therapy to reverse aging.  

“Most clients come to reduce pain and inflammation in the body and for healing,” says Sabrina, adding that it’s especially helpful post-surgery. “It rapidly increases the healing of wounds and not just on the surface. Because it opens up detox pathways, it also helps eliminate all anesthesia from the body.”

For maximum benefit, Sabrina recommends at least three 20-minute sessions of red light therapy, or ideally, 10 sessions. Red light therapy is safe to use daily if you choose. 

“Whether you come in and do a 45,000 light therapy full body, or you order a 1,000 light panel online, any red light you can get is beneficial—the more the better,” Sabrina says.

Heat therapy

Infrared heat is easily absorbed by the body and causes you to sweat, making this a natural detoxification method to eliminate toxins. This healing light energy is also used to help slow aging and optimize well-being.

Unlike traditional saunas which are typically 180 to 210 degrees, infrared saunas usually operate between 110 and 140 degrees.

At Renew Day Spa in Leesburg, owners Tim and Dina Simpson say that the majority of their clients are looking for detoxification and pain relief. Renew Day Spa uses the Sunlighten mPulse, a 3-in-1 full spectrum infrared sauna.

Heating the body from the inside out in an infrared sauna has multiple benefits, including:

• Detoxification
• Pain relief 
• Increased circulation
• Lower inflammation
• Increased metabolism
• Improved sleep
• Improved skin tone 
• Boosts immune system
• Promotes relaxation
• Promotes weight loss 

“It has also helped people who are trying to quit smoking and cancer patients after chemo treatment,” Tim says. 

Because it raises the heart rate, an infrared sauna session is like a passive cardio workout. Some clients burn as much as 600 calories in one session, which can help with weight loss.

Each 30- to 45-minute session uses infrared elements to increase the body’s core temperature. Dina says that the sauna’s settings can be adjusted, depending on which goals are most important for each client. 

Maximum skin exposure to the infrared heat is advisable. Showering is recommended right after a sauna session to eliminate any toxins in the sweat from being reabsorbed.

Many clients use the infrared sauna weekly, but there’s no drawback to using it daily.

DIY at home

A few minutes of online shopping can provide the convenience of infrared therapy at home. 

For under $100, you can order a red light therapy mask on amazon.com. For less than $250 you can purchase a portable infrared one-person sauna. Check the ratings and read reviews before ordering.