What is Infrared?

Light for life

Nature brings us infrared light. It’s the healthy, healing rays that come from the sun. You’ve felt infrared your entire life. When you sit next to a fire or feel the warmth of the sun on your skin. Infrared also helps plants bloom and just the right amount helps stems grow fast and strong.

Hello, Sunshine!

Nature delivers infrared in sunlight.

The sun emits a wide range of light, most of which we can’t actually see. Remember the first time you saw a prism transform light into a rainbow of visible light? Infrared is the invisible light just outside the prism next to red light, thus the name “infra (below)” + “red.” Sunlight is 52-55% infrared. It’s all the good parts of the sun’s healing light.

Harness the Healthy Energy

Infrared is part of a natural spectrum.

Visible light and infrared are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, a continuum of light waves organized by how they interact with matter. Scientists explain infrared is a safe, gentle form that brings many good, healthy things to earth and human beings. The energy it delivers is just the right nudge cells need to stimulate warmth, growth and release. 

3 Waves, Multiple Health Benefits

Infrared comes in 3 distinct types.

Because it’s on a spectrum, infrared has a range of waves in its own category. There are 3 types based on wave size, frequency, and the amount of energy they carry: near (NIR), mid (MIR) and far (FIR)
Though tiny pinpoint-size waves, each infrared ray does something beautifully unique for our bodies, and nature. Memory tip: each one is named for how close it is to visible light. 

Infrared is invisible. The evidence is in how your body responds to it.

Infrared’s healing rays are felt on our skin as warmth, and are absorbed by our bodies to help them detoxify, relax, improve circulation, recover faster, sleep better, age well and help us feel good. The proof of this activity in our body is evidenced in the increase in core body temperature that happens during a 30-minute infrared sauna session. Sunlighten’s saunas are clinically-proven to raise core body temperature 3 degrees, which unleashes the most benefits to our health.

Meet Sunlighten's Infrared Family

As in every family, the cast of characters in infrared is unique. To recreate these amazing infrared waves in our saunas and bring their healing therapy to the world, we’ve gotten to know them well through in-depth research, study and innovation. Here are a few distinguishing characteristics to understand and appreciate about infrared in general, AND what makes Sunlighten’s infrared so unique.

Near Infrared (NIR)

for Anti-Aging, Skin Health, Muscle Recovery

GENERAL FACTS
  • Closest to visible light, acts more like it (like cousins)
  • Absorbed at cellular level by mitochondria
    Shortest wavelength (700 to 1200 nanometers)
  • Delivers most energy (like tiny dogs)
  • Photobiomodulation/ low level light therapy (LLLT) used in cosmetic and healing devices
  • Triggers plants to use chlorophyll to convert light into tissue
SUNLIGHTEN NIR

* Energizes cells best with precise 880nm wavelength, scientifically proven to:

  • Recharge cell mitochondria
  • Help reduce body fat
  • Regenerate cells
  • Reduce inflammation & pain
  • Faster wound healing
  • Increase collagen production/anti-aging

* mPulse is world’s only sauna with LED NIR

Mid Infrared (MIR)

for Heart Health, Circulation, Pain Relief, Muscle Recovery

GENERAL FACTS
  • The “middle child” lives between near and far
  • Mid-range wavelength (1.4 to 7 microns)
  • Hardest IR to reproduce; used for sensory tools in various industries
SUNLIGHTEN MIR
  • Only our 3 in 1 heater delivers MIR at peak wavelengths (5 to 6.7 microns)
  • Made possible through our patented heating technology
  • 3 distinct heating elements heat MIR layer to needed temponly sauna with LED NIR

Far Infrared (FIR)

for Detoxification, Heart Health, Weight Loss, Immunity, General Wellness, Relaxation, Muscle Recovery

GENERAL FACTS
  • The “independent oldest kid” lives farthest from visible light
  • Longest wavelength (7-14 microns)
  • Absorbed at the cellular level by water molecules
  • Doesn’t warm the air, instead sends energy into objects
  • Experienced as gentle, radiant heat
  • Safely, gently improves health at the cellular level
  • Human bodies also emit FIR energy, used in healing since ancient times (ex. Reiki)
SUNLIGHTEN FIR
  • Only FIR heater clinically proven to raise core body temp 3°
  • Stimulates sweat glands, deep detoxifying sweat
  • Energizes and revitalizes, not draining heat
  • SoloCarbon heaters are highest quality and quantity IR on market: 95-99% emissive
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