Discover fun facts about the enchanting glow of warm, invisible red, the fascinating spectrum of light behind infrared saunas.

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Hidden Warmth

Did you know that every time you bask in the sunlight, you're enjoying a natural infrared sauna? Over half of the sun's energy reaching Earth is infrared, giving us that cozy warmth we feel on a sunny day. It's like the universe's own spa treatment.

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Serendipitous Discovery

We owe the discovery of infrared radiation, the foundation of our infrared saunas, to William Herschel. This British astronomer stumbled upon infrared radiation in 1800 during an experiment. While playing with a prism and sunlight, he encountered a type of light invisible to the eye but detectable as heat. 

In his meticulous experiment, Herschel placed thermometers in the spectrum of colors created by passing sunlight through a prism and observed an increase in temperature beyond the red end, uncovering the existence of infrared radiation.

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Color Me Invisible

Infrared radiation is beyond the visible spectrum, which means if we could see infrared light, our world would look dramatically different. Picture walking around with "infrared goggles" and seeing the heat signatures of everything around you – a hidden world of warmth revealed.

This versatility is exactly why infrared technology extends far beyond infrared saunas. Let's explore some of its notable uses:

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(Patch of Grass by Vincent van Gogh)

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Artistic Revelations

Infrared reflectography [1] gives us the opportunity to see beyond the visible layers of historical paintings. This technique reveals the hidden sketches and changes made by artists, offering an intimate glimpse into their evolving visions and untold stories. 

Infrared reflectography has played an important role in revealing hidden layers and details in famous works of art. 

For example, Vincent van Gogh's 'Patch of Grass' revealed an earlier painting of a woman's head hidden beneath it, revealed through infrared analysis. Similarly, Pablo Picasso's 'Woman Ironing' and 'The Blue Room' both harbor hidden images beneath their surfaces, the former concealing a sketch of a man and the latter a portrait of a man in Parisian attire.

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Astronomical Art

Infrared astronomy [2] reveals stunning images of the cosmos, showing celestial objects in a new 'light'. Galaxies, nebulae, and stars that are invisible in the regular spectrum glow magnificently in infrared, like cosmic masterpieces painted in heat

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Climate Control 

Infrared radiation plays a crucial role in Earth's climate system, with greenhouse gasses absorbing and re-emitting infrared, keeping our planet warm enough to support life [3]. It's a delicate balance of warmth that sustains the globe.

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Ghostly Sightings 

In the world of ghost hunting, infrared cameras are popular tools, based on the idea that ghosts might influence infrared energy. Yet, it's wise to take this with a grain of humor. Infrared tech is really about detecting heat, not hauntings. So, while it's a fun thought that infrared could reveal the supernatural, it's more about our love for a good ghost story than ghostly evidence.

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Healing Rays

Infrared light therapy is used in medical treatments [4] to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and promote wound healing, harnessing the gentle power of infrared for health and recovery.

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Infrared Music

Some innovative musical instruments, such as electronic theremins [5] and infrared harps, use the power of infrared sensors to transform musicians' movements into mesmerizing melodies. Without touching a single string, performers can weave songs by simply gesturing through the air, interacting with invisible infrared rays as if plucking notes from the fabric of the atmosphere.

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Infrared Photography

Infrared cameras can capture stunning images that show a surreal, dream-like world based on heat rather than light.

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Infrared Sauna for Plants 

In agriculture, infrared heaters are used to protect plants from frost and to enhance growth by providing extra warmth. It's like giving plants their own little infrared spa day for better health and vitality.

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Invisible Ink

During World War II, spies used infrared-sensitive ink to write secret messages that could only be read under infrared light.

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Thermal Touchscreens

Some touch screens use infrared technology to detect finger positions, turning your touch into digital commands.

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Wildlife Watching 

Wildlife researchers use infrared cameras to observe nocturnal animals without disturbing them, unveiling the secret lives of creatures under the cover of darkness.

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infrared beyond cabins

Ready to experience the transformative power of infrared for yourself? Infrared sauna technology extends far beyond traditional cabins, embracing a variety of innovative forms to fit different needs and spaces.

Infrared sauna blankets offer a portable, wrap-around option that allows for targeted heat therapy, ideal when you have with limited space or budget. Personal sauna tents and domes offer more space and provide a personal sauna experience that can be set up virtually anywhere, from homes to offices.

Looking for a deeper tissue and muscle therapy, PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) mats integrate with infrared technology to enhance cellular repair and overall wellness. Additionally, infrared lamps concentrate heat directly to specific parts of the body, perfect for localized treatment.

Each of these alternatives shares the core benefits of traditional infrared saunas, including detoxification, relaxation, and improved circulation, while offering flexible solutions to accommodate various lifestyles and preferences.

Explore what's hot in infrared saunas on our website, where you'll find more information, expert advice and the best infrared sauna to suit your specific needs and health goals.

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References

1. The Smithsonian, Infrared and Ultraviolet Imaging, https://mci.si.edu/infrared-and-ultraviolet-imaging

2. NASA, Meet the Infrared Telescopes That Paved the Way for NASA’s Webb, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, https://www.nasa.gov/universe/meet-the-infrared-telescopes-that-paved-the-way-for-nasas-webb/

3. The British Geological  Survey, The greenhouse effect, https://www.bgs.ac.uk/discovering-geology/climate-change/how-does-the-greenhouse-effect-work/

4. National Institutes Of Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, https://www.nih.gov/

5. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Theremin, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin

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