Wavelengths of light on the electromagnetic spectrum are measured in nanometers—one billionth of a meter per. They range from short and invisible ultraviolet light on one end of the spectrum to long and invisible infrared light on the other. Whatever the hue, light therapy has found a place in wellness for physical and mental betterment. One up-and-coming wavelength experiencing a boost in demand among consumers and, thus, wellness businesses is infrared light.
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Wavelengths of light on the electromagnetic spectrum are measured in nanometers—one billionth of a meter per. They range from short and invisible ultraviolet light on one end of the spectrum to long and invisible infrared light on the other. Whatever the hue, light therapy has found a place in wellness for physical and mental betterment. One up-and-coming wavelength experiencing a boost in demand among consumers and, thus, wellness businesses is infrared light.
Infrared Benefits
Infrared light has been around forever, or at least since light first appeared in the universe. Peering back some 13.6 billion years to the formation of stars and galaxies, NASA’s James Webb Telescope spied redshift, i.e., light from the earliest stars that shifted toward the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum due to something Einsteinian. Never mind all the details—it comes through as infrared light.
Infrared light is undergoing a wave of popularity thanks to innovations that ease its application for wellness. With its long wavelength, infrared light is invisible to the eye but capable of penetrating deeply into layers of skin to muscles and bones. There, infrared light is felt as radiant heat and offers a range of therapeutic benefits.
Quite a range, in fact, as detailed by Angela Betsaida B. Laguipo, BSN, who covered infrared therapy for www.news-medical.net. She notes benefits including “pain relief, reduction of muscle tension, relaxation, improved circulation, weight loss, skin purification, lowered side effects of diabetes, boosting of the immune system and lowering of blood pressure.”
Infrared Saunas
Perhaps the most convenient outlet for experiencing infrared light therapy is an infrared sauna, or far-infrared sauna, for infrared’s location on the electromagnetic spectrum. We offer an infrared sauna as part of the innovative spa and wellness programming that I have had the pleasure of putting together and elevating at Carillon Miami Wellness Resort.
Unlike traditional saunas that use a heating source to warm the air and, thus, one’s body, an infrared sauna heats the body directly with infrared light therapy as the interior atmosphere stays at room temperature.
Guests who take joy from the warming comfort of a traditional sauna may think this sounds unsatisfying, but it’s not. Infrared heats internally, making one’s body feel as though it is engulfed in a warm and cozy blanket, despite not being warmed to the touch.
Infrared Blankets
Speaking of cozy blankets, those who lack space for or access to an infrared sauna can find similar benefits with an infrared sauna blanket. There are a few offerings available to spas and consumers that are becoming increasingly sought-after, with the blanket’s own electromagnetic field and extremely low frequency making it safe to enjoy anywhere.
Infrared sauna blankets are typically designed compactly for portability and convenience. Some come with multi-layer construction, including a waterproof polyurethane leather body sized for roominess; infrared output to promote good healing; a layer of charcoal to bind pollutants and flush impurities; clay to emit negative ions and balance heat; and a magnetic strip for grounding and improvement of blood flow and circulation. These blankets can also include a layer of gemstones, like amethyst and tourmaline, to deepen benefits.
Related: Top 5 Business Benefits of Infrared Saunas
Multitasking Technologies
There are also options that offer infrared therapy in addition to other wellness modalities. One of our newest touchless offerings, the NEO | Light therapy bed by NEO Science, harnesses red and infrared light for a range of therapeutic applications, addressing inflammation, pain, collagen stimulation and more. A “pulsed” version offers high-intensity bursts of light for deeper penetration, making it popular with athletes seeking recovery from the aches and pains of their sport of choice.
The NEO | Light goes further still, with a calm mode that combines invisible infrared with green light, which may reduce appearance of dark spots on the skin and have a positive effect on migraines and light sensitivity.
V.E.M.I., or Vibroacoustic Electromagnetic and Infrared Therapy, invites guests to stretch out as it employs healing sound resonance, full-body vibrations, natural earth frequencies and infrared light to warm from the inside out for a mind, body and spirit experience.
BioCharger NG wirelessly transmits pulsed waves of electromagnetic, electrodynamic and photonic energy, which includes infrared, near-infrared and far-infrared frequencies. All of these work together to help boost mental health and invigorate the body.
Somadome, a personal meditation pod, is meant to clear the mind, relax and heal through sensuous experiences, including vibrational infrared sound therapy, which combines sound and infrared heat.
Halotherapy + Infrared is essentially an infrared sauna combined with the benefits of salt therapy. In addition to the holistic benefits of infrared heat, this treatment naturally improves respiratory and immune health thanks to the salt-infused air, which is beneficial for the lungs and skin.
Taken together, these groundbreaking offerings have transformed the spa landscape with an array of treatments boasting technologies, including infrared light therapy, that can be tailored specifically to the physical and mental health needs of guests. By offering infrared to integrate into the personal and holistic wellness journeys of guests, spas are lighting a path forward for renewal and well-being—even if it remains invisible to guests.
Tammy Pahel, VP of spa and wellness operations at Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, is a transformative and strategic spa, wellness, fitness and retail executive with 30 years of leadership experience. She’s responsible for all spa, health, wellness and fitness operations at Carillon, including forecasting, talent acquisition, learning and development.
