The infrared radiations are artificially
generated in these ‘infrared saunas’
which are similar to that generated by the
sun. They emit infrared radiant heat which
is highly beneficial to the body.
Infrared is a part of the
‘electromagnetic wave spectrum’ which
falls under the ‘invisible light’
spectrum zone. The rays of these infrared
lights are scientifically termed as
‘infrared rays’. The infra band is not
visible to human eye, but its presence can
be felt as it is perceived by our body in
the form of heat.
Here, the heat production is done with the
assistance of infrared heaters. This
category of Sauna baths have the same
environment as that of conventional sauna
with the added benefits of the infrared
radiations.
Benefits of infrared sauna over
conventional sauna
Infrared helps in cell activation,
increasing the metabolism rates and works
as an antioxidant nutrient. It is also
useful in faster healing of wounds and
regeneration process of cells.
As compared to the conventional saunas, in
the infrared sauna, the heat penetration
is higher, which is about 1.5 inches into
the body. This property is very
advantageous in the healing of tissue
injuries and other disease like arthritis.
These radiations also kill acne producing
bacteria and helps in dealing with some
special skin related disorders.
In infrared type sauna, preheating is not
necessary which saves on time and
electricity and the operating costs. Apart
from this, infrared sauna directly heats
up the body which means that the air
around is comparatively cooler and more
comfortable and the sweat produced is of
the same level. Hence this low heat type
is more useful to the people suffering
from cardiovascular diseases.
In traditional sauna, heat is produced by
indirect means, wherein first convection
takes place and then conduction. Whereas
in infrared type, heat is directly
converted this keeps the body warm by
penetrating up to greater skin depth.
HOW TO BUILD A SAUNA
With the increasing popularity of Saunas,
and looking at the great health benefits
that it has to offer, many people have
shown interest in constructing their own
Saunas.
Considerations to be kept in mind while
building a sauna are the availability of
required budget, space and the requirement
of luxury.
The following parameters should be kept in
mind while constructing a sauna:
Design features
Material:
It is important to choose the material of
sauna as per the availability, comfort and
the finance available. Sauna can be
directly purchased which is available in
the form of prefabricated cabins made of
plastic, wood or glass. They can also be
made by using stones or wood with the help
of special tools.
Size:
Size is an important design parameter
which depends on the requirement of the
user. It depends on the number of users,
space requirement for changing room,
shower areas and most important of all,
the space required for the heat generation
stove or other machine.
Saunas are directly available in
prefabricated forms which can be directly
installed as per the instructions from the
manufacturers. These can be even erected
in few hours. Also there are special
provisions made available to the customers
to modify certain designs befitting their
personal requirements.
Heat generation
Heat source is a critical factor in
deciding the type of sauna required. The
heat source used may be electricity, gas,
infrared waves, wood, etc.
Electricity:
Electric stoves are widely used where
economy is a consideration. As compared to
wood, they can be cheaper as there is no
cost of cutting and hauling. An added
advantage is that it can be used in both
indoor and outdoor saunas. Electrical
connections are easily available and so
there are no hassles in this type of
sauna.
Wood:
Using wood is quite obsolete these days as
it requires large quantities of wood to be
cut and transported and thus it can be
more laborious. But wood has its own
charismatic essence and produces a
traditional environment and a soothing
odour. But before selecting this
alternative, it is important to check with
the local regulations for the permission
of the usage of wood stove.
Gas:
Gas is comparatively cheaper than
electricity and wood. So if economy is an
important consideration, then gas can be
used. The only disadvantage with gas is
that it is necessary to check the
emissions and test whether the carbon
monoxide produced is within the
permissible limits
Place of installation
The selection of heat source governs the
location of sauna. If wood is a source,
then it is essential that it should be
outdoors and essentially near a place
where wood can be properly stacked before
consumption. If electricity is an option
then it is more preferable to have it
indoor where electrical connection is
easily available.
Water supply is also very important while
deciding on the place of installation.
Indoor saunas require good plumbing and
draining facilities. On the other hand
outdoor saunas will also need plumbing
unless water is to obtained from a pond.
Most of these options selected are purely
based on convenience or budget
considerations.
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HEALTH BENEFITS OF SAUNA
Performance of skin and heart in Sauna
The skin temperature rises to about 104°
F and that is why sweat glands produce
perspiration. All the extra blood flows to
the skin, thereby increasing the blood
circulation in the skin layers.
The reaction of heart to sauna heat is
also very high. The pulse rates have
observed to be increased by about 30%
which is almost double as compared to the
normal pumping rate per minute. The blood
flow in the veins and the capillaries
decreases and so does the blood pressure.
To keep this blood pressure normal, the
heart has to undergo extra efforts to
increase the heartbeats.
Sauna’s working mechanism on sweat
glands
Sauna produces perspiration because of the
rise in the surface temperature of the
body. The sweat thus produced by the sweat
glands is useful in regulation the body
temperature, rejuvenates the skin and has
excellent effects on the metabolism rate
of the body.
Benefits of Sauna
Skin rejuvenation
The pores of the skin open under the
extensive steam heat and get cleansed
thereby improving upon the complexion and
the texture of the skin. The blood vessels
on the surface i.e. near the skin dilate
and thus the blood circulation increases
magnanimously. Along with the sweat, all
unwanted materials and toxins are removed
from the body which is another indirect
advantage of sauna treatment. The dead
cells are removed it and also helps in
scar treatment by softening the keloids.
Detoxification
Sweating process increases the removal of
harmful toxins from the body along with
the sweats and so the impurities are
flushed out from the body.
As a part of natural healing mechanism,
fever is produced by artificial heat. This
fever highly stimulates the production of
WBC, antibodies and anti viral proteins
which increases the efficiency of the
immune system.
Fights against cellulite
It loosens the fatty acids and combats
against the cellulites which are gel like
lumps of fats and undesirable elements
lying under the layers of skin.
Relief from arthritis
This technology has been effective in
providing pain relief with those suffering
from bursitis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid
arthritis, back pain, headache, sprains,
strains, and many other muscular-skeletal
ailments.
Stress relief
Blood vessels expand and this process aids
in bringing relief and healing to muscles.
Metabolic waste products are carried off
and increased blood circulation and
delivers oxygen rich blood to oxygen
depleted muscles, so they feel more
energetic. Muscles relaxation is enhanced
when tissues are warm and render greater
flexibility to the tissues and cells. This
in turn reduces the physical and mental
stress thereby revitalizing the entire
body. It calms the nervous system and
reduces the overall psychological stress.
It is also believed that it improves
concentration due to the exposure to
alternate heat and cold cycles.
Weight loss
It is a kind of passive exercise that is
undergone by the body. It can burn upto
600 calories in half an hour. Although
there is a considerable amount of weight
loss initially due to the loss of water,
the body regains its original water
content and so this loss may be temporary.
But due to cardiac and respiratory
exercises and also due to sweat generation
a considerable amount of weight loss can
be observed in a longer run.
Benefits to liver and kidney
Apart from skin, it has soothing effect on
other vital organs like liver and kidney.
It helps in detoxification of some heavy
metal which are present in the body like
lead, mercury, aluminum, cadmium, and
fat-soluble toxins which reduces the load
on the kidney and thus improves its
performance.
Other benefits of sauna treatment are:
Accelerates digestion
Improves immunity
Helpful in fighting against some
carcinogenic substances
Increase supply of oxygen to the tissues
Helps recover from cold, flu and improves
disease resistance
Improves mental sharpness and
concentration
Accelerates metabolism
Precautions to be taken
The result of sauna varies from person to
person on the basis of temperature, the
period and the frequency of its
utilization.
Although Sauna has a tiring list of
benefits, care should be taken if the
bather is a pregnant, or has high or low
blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms,
unstable angina, and advanced heart
failure or heart valve disease or other
special conditions.
It is desirable that such patients should
consult a physician before starting the
use of sauna. Saunas are also hazardous to
individuals under the influence of alcohol
or drugs.
Also it is advised that one should not
stay in more than 20 min at a stretch.
After each sauna, consumption of 2 to 4
glasses of water is recommended so as to
cool down and to compensate the water lost
in the form of sweat.
Sauna history
Sauna has a European connection having its
roots from Finland. Finland is popular
throughout the world for its lakes,
reindeers and Saunas. Sauna is a Finnish
word pronounced as ‘sow-nah’ meaning
‘bath house’.
Initially it was used as a steam bath
house only in colder regions, but now with
the changing times it has gained
popularity worldwide due to the extra
benefits that it offers to both - the body
and mind.
As the history goes, Finns originally led
a nomadic life. And for the purpose of
hygiene, they used to construct such large
baths.
The Finns did not merely use sauna as a
means of their luxury, but they used it
for physical and mental relaxation. They
used it to rejuvenate their mind which
would render them with more energy after a
tiring day’s work. It held high social
value in the Finnish culture and was a
place that contained sterilized and germ
free environment created by the use of
tannic acid in the smoke.
Sauna culture is more than 1000 years old.
It has withstood the test of times and now
it is well established method of body and
mind relaxation. Apart from Finns, the
ancient Romans are also linked with these
misty bath houses. Sauna gained attention
when some travelers were impressed by the
Sauna baths and they penned down their
sauna experience in their books. Thus,
with the cultural exchanges going
throughout the world in the medieval eras,
helped Sauna gain its current popularity.
Sauna was also the only means of
entertainment during the World War II. It
formed an essential part of the military
camps, where the war soldiers would find
solace.
In olden days, the sauna was very
different as compared to what it is today.
Earlier, Sauna was constructed by digging
the grounds and layering the surface with
wooden logs. These were heated with steam
by burning wood. The place was covered and
had just a small vent to let out some
steam. Thus the place was allowed to heat
up and be filled up with smoke.
Today, with the advent of modern
technologies, we have specially built
Sauna chambers with better quality
materials which render a luxurious feeling
along with the healing effect. In spite of
the revival in the construction of modern
saunas, the philosophy of using steam
remains the same.
