Absorption of infrared through the skin is very good for you. Have you ever wondered why the warmth of the sun feels so good while you are laying out at the beach or by the pool? The warmth is actually infrared energy through heat that you are feeling. As the infrared light waves penetrate your skin up to 1.5 inches, there is something good happening within your cells as they interact with the infrared energy.
Are you familiar with the Beach Boys song “Good Vibrations”? When you go to the beach on a sunny day, you will experience good vibrations, literally. The infrared energy actually resonates with the molecular vibration frequencies within your cells, and when that happens positive things occur within your body.
Atoms are in motion, and unless they are in a zero degree Kelvin (absolute zero, the point at which all thermal motion ceases) environment, all bonded atoms vibrate molecularly.
Related to this vibrational effect, far infrared (FIR), or so called biogenetic rays, have a considerable effect on water molecules. For this reason, FIR has a significant impact on living organisms. When there is a match in vibrational frequency of the IR and the cell molecule, IR absorption occurs and the state of the cell vibration, or its amplitude, is altered.
Here is a more scientific explanation for molecular vibrations:
“Picture a diatomic molecule as two spheres connected by a spring. When the molecule vibrates, the atoms move towards and away from each other at a certain frequency. The energy of the system is related to how much the spring is stretched or compressed. The vibrational frequency is proportional to the square root of the ratio of the spring force constant to the masses on the spring. The lighter the masses on the spring, or the tighter (stronger) the spring, the higher the vibrational frequency will be. Similarly, vibrational frequencies for stretching bonds in molecules are related to the strength of the chemical bonds and the masses of the atoms. Molecules differ from sets of spheres-and-springs in that the vibrational frequencies are quantized. That is, only certain energies for the system are allowed, and only photons with certain energies will excite molecular vibrations. The symmetry of the molecule will also determine whether a photon can be absorbed.”…“The stronger the bond, the more energy will be required to excite the stretching vibration.” ¹
It is also important to note, however, that “FIR energy is sufficient to exert rotational and vibrational modes of motion in bonds forming the molecules (including the water molecules) as well as resonate with cellular frequencies.” ²
IR absorption occurs when the vibrational frequencies of the infrared waves and molecules within the cells match up. Generally there is more vibrational and rotational interaction in the shorter wavelengths and less in the longer wavelengths. The measurement of these vibrational matchups, however, are loosely based in scientific study. In other words, the range of the shorter wavelength (near IR), midrange wavelength (mid IR), and longer wavelength (far IR) are not absolute measures of effectiveness for triggering cellular responses.
Within the infrared spectrum, only FIR transfers its energy purely as heat and the skin recognizes it as radiant heat. FIR is much better for the skin due to the longer wavelengths and easier skin absorption compared to that of near infrared wavelengths.
There are many benefits of this vibrational effect from FIR within the cells, but to name a few it can help to:
-stimulate cellular repair
-break away fat soluble toxins and release them through internal organs and through sweat
-promote regeneration of skin elastin and collagen
-improve circulation
These positive cellular vibrational effects can be experienced through the use of an infrared sauna.
