To understand how infrared induced sweat acts as an additional detox pathway for the body, we should first take a look at a few questions about the science. Why does infrared sweating contain more toxic wastes as compared to traditional sauna sweat? What about the separation of infrared light and heat? And, what is important about the types of infrared: near, mid, and far?
Research has shown that there is more toxic waste excreted through infrared induced sweating as compared to sweat induced from a traditional convection heat sauna. Why? Infrared (IR) is radiant, meaning it is a form of energy, a type of kinetic (in motion) energy that travels in electromagnetic waves. Therefore, it can penetrate the skin. It travels in the form of light waves and can absorbed by the skin of a human as far as an inch and up to 1.5 inches. Infrared can be produced by many sources, including the sun, stars, and even living things including humans.
Infrared induced sweat is considered to have more toxicity than regular sweat because of the deeper penetration into the body, causing the sweat glands to release a higher concentration of toxins stored in fat cells, including heavy metals and other fat-soluble waste products. This is compared to the primarily water-based sweat produced by traditional heat sources like a steam room or a convection heat sauna. The deeper infrared energy and heat penetration allows for a more "cellular level detox" allowing the body to eliminate a wider range of toxins through perspiration.
As a company, we set out to take full advantage of IR technology during the development phase of the original HOTWORX sauna. During development of the now patented fitness sauna, and after collaborating with many sauna manufacturers and engineers, I made the decision to deploy a heater configuration that resulted in a ratio of 95% far-infrared and 5% mid-infrared. Far-infrared (FIR) has the longest wavelength of the three types of IR. The longer FIR light waves penetrate even more deeply than near or mid and are easier on the skin.
The deep penetration of far-Infrared energy and the heat that is produced can mobilize stored toxins in fat cells, leading to a higher concentration of these substances in the sweat produced. When electromagnetic waves hit an object, the interaction with photons causes molecules to speed up, generating heat and other forms of energy.
Infrared energy stimulates mitochondria by directly interacting with a protein called cytochrome c oxidase, which is located within the mitochondrial electron transport chain, and when this protein absorbs infrared photons, it leads to increased electron flow, resulting in enhanced ATP production and overall improved mitochondrial function.
Studies suggest that far-infrared light therapy may improve mitochondrial function, reduce oxidative stress, and enhance cellular repair mechanisms. Note the excerpt below from the National Library of Medicine reporting of Korean research (2016) involving FIR-mediated improvement of mitochondrial biogenesis:
Far-infrared rays (FIR) are electromagnetic waves ranging between 3 and 100 μm [nanometers] that hold the ability to penetrate up to 2.5 cm into the skin, affecting muscles, as well as blood and lymph vessels, owing to their radiation and vibration frequency. FIR have a vibrational frequency of 3–100 THz [terahertz, one trillion cycles per second] that transfers to atoms and molecular structures and, importantly, can induce a muscle wound healing effect…(1)
Let’s take a moment to take a more artful look into IR absorption and cellular vibrations.
We’ve established that absorption of infrared through the skin is very good for your cells. What about how it makes you feel? The warmth that you experience when you walk into an IR sauna feels amazing, much like that of a sunny day outside. Have you ever wondered why it feels so good while you are laying out at the beach or the pool? The warmth that your skin feels is actually infrared energy creating heat. 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 begin to occur within your body.
Suddenly, atoms are in motion, and unless they are in a absolute zero degree Kelvin environment (the point at which all thermal motion ceases), all bonded atoms vibrate molecularly. Related to this vibrational effect, FIR, or the 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 (energy created by the light wave), is altered.
Let me explain from a different angle. Take a look at the image below, and then read on.
Imagine a molecule with two atoms as two balls connected by a spring. When the molecule vibrates, the balls move closer together and then farther apart at a certain speed (frequency). The energy involved depends on how much the spring stretches or compresses.
This frequency depends on two things: how strong the spring is (how tight or loose the bond) and the weight of the balls. A stronger spring or lighter balls result in higher vibration frequencies. In molecules, this idea relates to the strength of chemical bonds (the "spring") and the masses of the atoms (the “balls").
Unlike a simple spring, molecular vibrations can only happen at specific energy levels. This means that only certain types of light (photons with the right energy) can make the molecule vibrate. The molecule's shape and symmetry also affect whether it can absorb light. Stronger bonds need more energy to make them vibrate.
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)
Infrared 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 so many benefits of this vibrational effect from FIR within the cells, but to name a few, it can help to improve circulation, stimulate cellular repair, promote regeneration of skin elastin and collagen, and, of course, the FIR vibrational effect helps to break away fat soluble toxins and release them through internal organs and through SWEATING IT OUT!
AND, of course, these positive cellular vibrational effects can be experienced while training inside of an infrared sauna. One of the main purposes of the HOTWORX Training Method is to afford clients a way to obtain more results from a workout in a shorter amount of time. Thus, the mantra for the franchise early on became, MORE WORKOUT, LESS TIME. Certainly, more sweat, with greater release of toxins, is a major supplement to this workout advantage.
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