Our bodies rely on a variety of factors to achieve and maintain optimal health and wellness. We're well aware of the importance of a balanced diet, quality sleep, and regular exercise. But have you ever paused to consider how light consumption impacts your overall well-being? Recent studies suggest it's a crucial factor worth examining.

While sunlight is essential for vitamin D production, excessive exposure can leave your skin susceptible to harmful UV rays. How can we reap the benefits of sunlight without compromising our skin? The answer lies in understanding and utilizing the healing properties of specific wavelengths, such as red light and infrared. But what exactly do these wavelengths do, and how do they differ? Let's delve into the details.

How Light Wavelengths Impact Our Bodies

Our bodies interact with various wavelengths of light in diverse ways. Light is classified by wavelength, measured in nanometers, and falls on a spectrum that helps us understand its effects. Red light, positioned within the visible spectrum, can only reach the skin's surface. While it can be seen, its effects are limited to the skin's surface and cannot be felt.

Infrared light, however, is invisible and has the unique ability to penetrate about 1.5 inches into the body, affecting not just the skin's surface but also deeper tissues. Due to its longer wavelength, infrared light is felt in the form of heat.

Comparing the Healing Powers: Infrared vs. Red Light Therapy

When exposed to infrared light, typically in an infrared sauna, it penetrates muscles, nerves, and even bones, allowing cells to absorb its energy. This process stimulates cellular activity and increases blood flow, initiating the body's healing process. Increased blood flow is crucial for reducing inflammation, regenerating cells, promoting wound and injury healing, aiding muscle recovery after a workout, reducing signs of sun damage and scarring, promoting cellular detoxification, and more.

Infrared's ability to penetrate tissues and work at a cellular level makes it superior for skincare. During an infrared sauna session, the body's tissues are heated internally, stimulating healing and improving cell function. This stimulation triggers the release of nitric oxide, essential for collagen production, which is crucial for maintaining youthful skin, muscles, bone, cartilage, and tendons. Additionally, adenosine triphosphate, which provides the energy needed to improve cell function, is stimulated. It can enhance overall healing and health.

On the other hand, Red Light Therapy (RLT) utilizes low-wavelength red light to increase collagen production, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation. This can result in improved skin appearance, including reduced wrinkles, scars, redness, and acne. RLT has also been shown to stimulate hair growth.

In Big Sky, RLT can further support athletic performance by offering pain relief and reducing inflammation, enhancing muscle recovery and performance, improving sleep quality, supporting joint health and bone density, and enhancing mood and mental wellness.

Both infrared sauna therapy and RLT offer unique benefits, and choosing between them depends on your specific health and wellness goals.

Consider an Infrared or Red Light Therapy Treatment

Science has proven that infrared treatments are not only safe and free of side effects but also deeply effective. Infrared therapy allows you to harness the healing powers of the sun, without the harmful effects of UV rays. Infrared therapies are so safe and effective, they are even used on infants in neonatal intensive care.

Red light therapy is also a safe treatment with no associated side effects, especially when used as directed and for short durations. This therapy is non-toxic, non-invasive, and gentler than many topical skin treatments. Unlike the sun's or tanning booths' cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) light, RLT does not use this type of light.

Experience the rejuvenating benefits for yourself by booking an appointment at Reset Big Sky!  We offer both Infrared Sauna sessions and our special pairing of Red Light Therapy with PEMF!

Book an Appointment NOW!