A new study in the Journal of Photochemistry & Photobiology, B: Biology 155 (2016) 78–85 titled Infrared and skin: Friend or foe has shed further "light" on the benefits of near infrared for the skin. Recently some people or studies were implying that near infrared was somehow going to harm the skin and it should be avoided. Perhaps this was a marketing ploy or perhaps it was well intentioned but any concern can and should be put to rest. Near infrared is good for the skin and for healing in general. The article explores this in depth but we are going to focus on the fascinating findings that revolve around preconditioning the skin to prevent damage by ultra violet (UV) rays.
Why do you use a sauna or contemplate using one? If you are like most people it's either for detoxification or for a particular health concern. What if I told you that you had it all wrong?!? Now before you stop reading let me explain what I mean and how near infrared saunas really work.
I've been working with infrared saunas for many years now and have observed some fantastic results with patients that have had a multitude of heart issues. I've often wondered what the mechanism is for this change and speculated on how it might help but never looked into it in any greater detail. Recently however I had the opportunity to delve a bit deeper and what I found has prompted me to write this blog. The overall positive benefits of infrared saunas on heart disease is quite stunning and is something that I believe most people with heart disease should look into.
For example, did you know that research by T. Kihara shows that spending time in a sauna can reduce symptoms associated with congestive heart failure? When patients spent 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week for two weeks in a near infrared sauna it reduced premature heartbeats, episodes of arrhythmia and levels of hormones linked to heart damage. Here are the references.
