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Infrared Heating Technology

What is Infrared? 
Infrared light (experienced as heat) is the invisible part of the sun’s spectrum with the ability to penetrate human tissue.  Infrared sauna therapy uses this penetrating characteristic to heat the body directly at the core rather than simply warming the air or skin’s surface. 

Sunlighten infrared saunas have been clinically shown to increase the body’s core temperature, resulting in a deep, detoxifying sweat at the cellular level, which is where the majority of toxins reside. 

How Safe is Infrared Heat?
Infrared heat is completely safe and healthy for all living things.  You can be exposed to infrared light for hours without the risk of burning.  Infrared is a naturally occurring output of the sun, but does not contain the harmful UV rays associated with unprotected sunlight.  In fact, infrared heat is so safe, it is used in hospitals to warm newborn infants.

Infrared Saunas vs. Traditional Saunas
Infrared heat is very gentle.  The experience is similar to lying in the sun on a warm day and feeling the heat radiate to the core of your body.  Unlike traditional (hot rock or steam) saunas--which operate at well in excess of 200°F--infrared heat has the benefit of being effective at a more comfortable operating temperature of 100°-150°F.

Traditional saunas heat the air vs. the body directly.  Rather than inducing detoxification and relaxation, this can make the experience unbearably hot and difficult to breathe.  Because infrared heat penetrates human tissue vs. simply heating the surface of the skin, infrared saunas are seven times more effective than traditional saunas at detoxifying the body.  By raising the body’s core temperature, infrared saunas can produce a sweat composed of 20% toxins vs. only 3% toxins with a traditional sauna.

Solocarbon® Infrared Heating Technology
Solocarbon® heating technology is the foundation for all of our sauna products.  It is the only heater on the market clinically shown to raise core temperature, lower blood pressure and aid in weight loss.

Solocarbon® panels (built into the walls of our saunas) contain a unique proprietary blend of materials that are 100% quality controlled by Sunlighten™.  This means—unlike other saunas on the market--we can ensure the safety & effectiveness of each individual heater.  Solocarbon® panels are heat-sealed, meaning no wires or glues are used, so there is no release of unhealthy gases during heating.  With clinically-backed Solocarbon heating, it is no wonder our infrared saunas are the most trusted on the planet.

Solocarbon® Infrared Heating Technology vs. Ceramic Rods
Ceramic rods were the first type of infrared sauna heaters available, though are no longer the technology of choice.  They emit infrared heat at very high temperatures that are unsafe to touch since the heat is contained in individual rods vs. being dissipated across a larger surface (like what is found in a carbon-based heater).  Cabin temperature close to the rods is very high, but then falls off as one moves sideways or away.  This uneven distribution of heat results in uncomfortable hot and cold spots in the sauna.

On the other hand, clinically-backed Solocarbon® heaters emit infrared heat at a lower, more constant temperature through large panels, creating an even distribution of comforting heat throughout the sauna.   Each Sunlighten™ sauna has panels strategically placed so you are completely surrounded by this therapeutic infrared heat.  Lower surface temperatures also emit infrared rays in the more vital range, producing better results for detoxification, blood pressure reduction and weight loss.