Guide · 8 min read
Red light, near infrared and far infrared — what each one adds
Red light, near infrared and far infrared are three different bands that reach different depths. This article separates the three, explains what our saunas contain, and shows where to read the research on each band.
These studies are listed for reference only. They are not claims about what our saunas do.
Three bands, three depths
Red light, near infrared and far infrared are often grouped together, but they differ in wavelength and in how deep they reach.
A rough map. Red light sits at roughly 630 to 660 nanometres and is visible. Near infrared (NIR) sits at roughly 810 to 850 nanometres and is invisible; our Red Light sauna uses 380+ near infrared LEDs at 850 nm. Far infrared (FIR) is much longer again — every model in our range specifies 12 micron far infrared, which is 12,000 nm. Our Red Light sauna spans 460 nm to 12,000 nm across all its emitters. It starts at 460 nm, so nothing in the sauna emits ultraviolet. Wavelength drives penetration depth.
Where to read the research
Our studies pages list published papers on far infrared, red light, near infrared and green light, with a link to each source, so any paper can be read in full.
Red light
Red light, at roughly 630 to 660 nm, is the visible red part of the spectrum. The mechanism proposed across its literature is photobiomodulation: photons absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, raising ATP production and altering cell signalling.
Near infrared
NIR penetrates further than red light, reaching several millimetres into tissue rather than stopping at the surface. The studies are listed on our studies pages.
Far infrared: the band that heats you
Every current model — Standard, Deluxe and Red Light — is built around 12 micron far infrared, which is 12,000 nm, felt as radiant heat absorbed at the skin rather than heating the air. The studies are listed on our studies pages.
Blue and green
Two other bands appear within our Red Light sauna’s range: blue light, from 460 nm, and green light. The green light studies are listed, with links to the sources, on our studies pages.
What our saunas contain
The Standard and Deluxe are three modalities in one: ozone, steam and 12 micron far infrared. The Red Light is seven — those three plus 850 nm near infrared, red, blue and green light. We build them that way because one 30-minute session is easier to keep to than separate appointments on separate devices.
Eyes
On eyes, the design does the work: your head is outside the sauna and away from the direction of the light, and the lights switch off when the doors are opened. That is a stronger arrangement than a red light panel you sit in front of.
A closing note on what this page is
Everything above points to what named researchers reported. It is not medical advice, and it is not a claim that light, ozone or steam treats any condition. Light and heat can interact with photosensitising medication and with some skin and eye conditions, so if you have a diagnosed condition, take prescription medication, or have been told you are photosensitive, speak to your doctor before starting.