Are infrared cabins harmful to health?
In recent years, the infrared cabin has become a real alternative to the classic sauna. More and more often, infrared cabins can be found in private homes, such as in the basement or in a large bathroom. The big advantage: they take up less space than a sauna cabin, but offer just as many positive aspects. Sweating relaxes, purifies and is good for our immune system.
Nevertheless, there is also criticism of the infrared cabin, because it is recently more often suspected of also bringing health hazards. We get to the bottom of this matter – in the following guide you will learn everything important on the subject.
How harmful is an infrared cabin really for our health?
First and foremost, it cannot be said that an infrared cabin is not good for our health. It has many advantages that benefit our organism: When we sweat, waste products are removed and our body excretes toxins better. We can also relax and leave the stresses and strains of everyday life behind us for a while. But what are the differences between these categories?
With a depth of 0.1 mm, infrared-C does not penetrate our body and has only a superficial effect on our skin. Infrared-B also penetrates our skin only minimally more: With a depth of about 0.5 mm, there is no significant difference to the infrared-C wavelength. Nowadays, infrared-B is often used in wellness areas and is absorbed by water molecules.
Infrared-A, on the other hand, is quite different: this wavelength can penetrate up to 6 mm deep into our skin and have a deep effect on our body. This radiation is mainly used during operations. Moreover, studies have also recognized that water-cooled infrared-A can also help our body lose weight. However, an infrared-A infrared cabin can therefore also bring health disadvantages and for this very reason, it is not yet used in cabins for home use.
How helpful is a visit to an infrared cabin for a cold?
Whether an infrared cabin has a harmful effect on our health when we have a cold or whether it has a healing effect is a question that many people ask themselves. However, to this question no general answer can be given – because here it is like with the sport: If one is still in the initial stage of a cold, usually also no health danger proceeds from the attendance of an infrared cab. Many users of infrared cabins also claim that this only benefits health. If one is however rather uncertain and does not trust its body so much, then it is advisable to discuss first with the family doctor.
Is certain, however: Who has fever, should visit in no case the infrared cab – here the warmth harms the cycle additionally and should be avoided therefore.
Do infrared rays have a carcinogenic effect on our body?
Again and again one hears, the infrared cab is injurious to health, since from it cancer-causing jets are to proceed. However, so far there is not a single scientific proof for this. Even the Commission for Protection against Non-Ionizing Radiation has not been able to find anything on this assumption. Doctors also assume that even if infrared radiation has a carcinogenic effect, there is still much less danger than with UV radiation.
For this reason, the ICNIRP therefore advises that if the value exceeds 350 mW/cm², irradiation should last no longer than 10 seconds. This is the only way to rule out skin burns. In infrared cabins, the value is normally no more than 100 mW/cm². Therefore, an infrared cabin can be quite harmful to our health if the visit lasts more than 40 minutes. However, this is usually not the case.
Basically, you should rely on your own feeling. If the heat feels uncomfortable on the skin, it is time to leave the cabin. We hold thus firmly that it cannot be proven so far that an infrared cabin has also a health-damaging or even carcinogenic effect on the body. Because in comparison to the extremely harmful UV radiation, the infrared radiation is much more harmless.
How does the infrared cabin affect our eyes and skin?
The fact that a visit to the infrared cabin can have a harmful effect on the eyes and skin is not normally the case with commercially available products in Germany. In this country, most cabins are tested by the TÜV and ideally also have a recommendation from the ICNIRP. Because there are globally applicable limits for infrared radiation, there is also no need to fear any health hazards. In the case of intensive UV radiation – as is the case in solariums, for example – slight eye damage cannot be ruled out. So if you have any concerns, it is better to use special infrared glasses in case of doubt.
Only the infrared A radiation can cause stress in our body and also quite skin damage. Because this penetrates accordingly deeply into our body. However, only infrared C or infrared B is used in a heat cabin – so health damage is virtually excluded. In conclusion, it can be said that the infrared cabin is not a health hazard for our skin or eyes.
How harmful is an infrared cabin for sore muscles?
The heat in an infrared cabin can in no way cause damage to sore muscles – rather the opposite is the case! The pleasant warmth and the radiation have the effect that tensions in the body can be released in a gentle way. Especially recommended is the visit in an infrared cabin directly after sports. The heat has a beneficial effect on body and mind, and also stimulates the metabolism and blood circulation. Who visits the infrared cabin in regular intervals, can strengthen besides its immune system lastingly.
Result: The infrared cab does not bring considerable risks with itself
More and more frequently, the infrared cabin is to be found in private houses. It is a popular alternative to the sauna cabin and takes up less space – with a similar positive effect on our body.
Last but not least, it can be said: So far, there is no scientific evidence that the infrared cabin could have a harmful effect on our body. Questionable infrared A-radiation does not come with normal heat cabins, as it is used also in private houses, to the employment. Here, the manufacturers fall back exclusively on infrared B and infrared C radiation.
The remaining potential factors are limited to fever, cold or other illnesses. Here, of course, it comes down to common sense: Anyone who is not feeling well should possibly refrain from visiting an infrared cabin. In case of doubt, it is always the better choice to rather check with your doctor before visiting the infrared cabin.
Another good tip: If you would like to buy your infrared cabin in a specialized store or also on the Internet, you should absolutely pay attention to an existing TÜV seal or an ICNIRP recommendation. Reviews from other customers can also be a good help in the selection. There is now a wide range of products on the market, and the choice is often difficult. In this way, you do not take any risks and do not have to worry about your health.
