Infrared technology is a unique kind of radiation whose wavelength is longer than that of visible light but shorter than the waves emitted by microwaves. The heat from infrared rays is often compared to the comfortable heat from direct sunlight which is actually primarily composed of infrared light (the rest is ultra-violet). First developed for the military, it was used in applications that include target acquisition, surveillance and meteorology.

Since infrared power is divided up into varying wavelengths, different applications and technologies usually have to indicate what level wavelength they’re releasing. Short-wavelength infrared is the kind of radiation that long-distance communications. Mid-wavelength, also called intermediate infrared, is often used in targeting aircrafts. Long-wavelength infrared is typically advantageous for thermal imaging. Finally, there is far infrared radiation—the most intense kind of infrared emission--which can give off up to 1,000 microcmeters.

When placed upon the context of commercial and household fixtures, far infrared technology is actually quite user-friendly. An example of how this kind of technology works is manifested in the far infrared sauna. Since saunas operate on the principle of heat, infrared rays are the optimal kind of energy to deliver the most heat with the most efficiency. How are they so effective? Conventional saunas use an indirect means of heat: it warms up the air currents which then directly touches the skin to produce its heating stimulation. Conversely, far infrared saunas use infrared radiant heat to directly penetrate the body’s tissues and can actually reach to a depth of over 1.5 inches past the skin. The body is able to absorb as much as 95% of the infrared waves that contact the surface.

In the end, the far infrared sauna is the most resourceful kind of sauna technology because you ultimately don’t have to spend extra time waiting for your body to heat up; it happens almost immediately. The longer it takes to feel the effects of the heat, the more you have to pay in your electrical bills. More importantly, because of the precision of infrared radiation, your body can sense the therapeutic benefits far quicker than it would in a traditional sauna. This crucial difference explains the most fundamental advantage that far infrared saunas have over other sauna techniques.