What You Need To Know About Far Infrared Saunas: Sauna comparison of the original versus the traditional saunas and copycat domes.

WAVELENGTH: Many far infrared saunas and copycat domes do not radiate the correct micron far infrared ray wavelength which is 8-10 microns (7-1is acceptable), being the most beneficial to the human body. Many are less than 5 microns (towards medium infrared ray range) or way beyond 14 microns, which is not physically beneficial.

Initially, most infrared sauna companies did not understand what is a micron, so many companies simply copied or re-wrote the far infrared data and information from the Far Infrared Dome Sauna because scant information and documentation was available at that time written in English.

Note: HTE Australia, exclusive distributors of the Far Infrared Sauna Dome, published a book specially translated into English for the company - "The Scientific Basis and Therapeutic Benefits of Far Infrared Ray Therapy" written by Yamazaki Toshio in Japan. Nearly all the traditional far infrared sauna companies have had the audacity to copy quotes from the book to their websites, taken from this website or directly from the book. The book is not available in bookstores and was not intended to be applied to traditional sauna units that haphazardly incorporate far infrared to entice customers. 

NEAR INFRARED: The difference between FAR Infrared and NEAR Infrared? Near Infrared rays have a shorter wavelength and therefore are less powerful in terms of penetration capacity. Near Infrared lacks the properties of resonance and absorption found in Far Infrared Ray which allows them to pass thru the skin and reach deeper tissues of the body at varying depths for serious healing benefits.

Image shows traditional sauna that incorporate Far of Near Infrared. Unlike a pure Far Infrared sauna, clothing must be removed as heavy sweating is involved. Pure concentrated Far Infrared does not induce heavy sweating as it is a dry heat.

WEIGHT: Most units weigh three times more than the SOQI Far Infrared dome sauna which is only 13 lbs - 5.7 kg.

WARM UP TIME: Many units require 10-20 minutes minimum warm up time.The SOQI dome sauna heats up immediately.

HEAT RANGE: Many have temperature ranges that fluctuate dramatically. The SOQI dome sauna heat is set and constant.

DANGERS: Many far infrared sauna pose the danger of overheating and dehydration, air temperature can become unbearable. The Far Infrared dome sauna poses no such danger as overheating of the user does not occur. The gentle far infrared ray penetrating the body feel more like the 70's temperature wise. The pure far infrared heat of the SOQI dome does not cause hydration, unlike a closed, intensely hot traditional sauna does.

SAFETY:
1) Many do not have an electronic thermostat or overload shut-off for safety. The SOQI dome sauna has a built in regulator.

2) Most of the ceramic heaters have some kind of protective face guard because they are so hot that if you accidentally touch them you will get hurt. The SOQI dome surface will not cause this to happen as it has a silicone crystal chip surface.

PROXIMITY: Traditional sauna units have the source of far infrared too far away from the body to have optimal impact. The far infrared emitter surface should be as close to the body as possible. The SOQI Far Infrared dome sauna is within inches of the body.

A traditional sauna wooden box unit which people sit in, is hard pressed to provide optimal Far Infrared benefit as the source of far infrared being emitted is not within inches of the body, but feet. The further the body is from the Far Infrared waves, which travel in straight lines, the lesser the impact and benefits.

MEDICAL DEVICE: The SOQI dome far infrared sauna is officially classified and recognized as a medical device in four countries, including Japan, Australia, Canada.

Far Infrared SOQI Dome Sauna
Far infrared resonant absorption 
for maximum healing benefits.

SIZE: 'One size fits all' copycat igloo saunas, do not typically accommodate larger bodies. The Far Infrared SOQI dome sauna comes in two sizes to accommodate bodies below or over 180 lbs, the latter is known as the Grande Far Infrared Dome.

SANITARY: Many far infrared saunas, especially the traditional saunas, are considered unsanitary due to sweating and require clothing removal. You do not have to remove clothing under the SOQI dome. No cleaning or wipe down of the dome is needed.

TERMINOLOGY:
a) The correct term is FAR INFRARED. Near Infrared units are a completely different healing modality which may incorporate light therapy from colored light bulbs.

b) Far Infrared rays penetrates the skin about 2 to 2 1/2 inches - not 4 or 5 inches as some traditional sauna claim.

c) Far Infrared Ray should ideally be 8-10 microns to benefit the human body.  Many traditional units are above 11 or below 7 microns so there is less to zero benefit, as the ray are no longer Far Infrared because they move into different spectrums, microwave or mid-infrared.

d) Traditional far infrared sauna imply the entire body is bathed in Far Infrared. In fact the units have only a few scattered sources emitting far infrared ray. Apart from being too far away from the FIR source to benefit the body, traditional far infrared saunas simply miss the human target, or are absorbed into the wood which benefits no-one.

Far Infrared must be close to the body
for maximum penetration and benefit.

EMF:
Electro magnetic frequencies (EMF), are gradually being understood by the public. EMF, depending on frequency and wavelength, with consistent, regular exposure, has been proven to be harmful. EMF's emited from cell phones, microwave ovens, electric water kettles and smart meters - all of which are used by millions of people daily - are extremely dangerous to the human body.

Cellular phones when consistently used next to the head, cause brain tumors, or if continually carried in the trouser pocket or bra, have been known to trigger prostate cancer or breast cancer. A cell phone radiates extremely damaging EMF to the bodies cellular structure, intensified by the close proximity on a daily basis, and the accumulation of long term constant use.

EMF has unfortunately become a major debate between traditional sauna companies, all vying for sales with their wooden units. It is true that some of them do emit higher levels as they are large units generating high electricity.

Check and be sure the EMF frequency of any far infrared unit you consider is
a) below 3.0 milligauss (ideally around 2.0),
b) that the far infrared ray are between 7-11 microns,
c) and that the far infrared rays are in close proximity to the body.

The SOQI Far Infrared Dome meets these requirements and poses no threat to the health of the body, measuring just past 2.0 milligauss on a TriField Meter.

FYI Health Benefits:
You will NOT lose serious weight using far infrared saunas, if at all. Traditional Far Infrared heat therapy in Asia and Europe is used for relief, reduction and removal of pain, swelling and inflammation, serious elimination of toxins (such as heavy metals, drugs, pesticides, chemicals etc), improved circulation, accelerated healing, tissue regeneration, relaxation and other healing properties.

Clinics in Germany use concentrated Far Infrared as a complimentary cancer therapy. Pure Far Infrared has also been medically researched for use in management and treatment of Parkinson's Disease.