far-infrared saunas

[MaryAnn]

Anybody got one of these? Friend of mine has one (a portable) that she swears by, and which I've been invited to try out. These things have ceramic heaters in them that get "really" hot and radiate the occupants with the far-infrared spectrum. What I'm wondering about is if they also radiate the occupants with microwaves, which I wouldn't find to be such a wonderful idea.
MA

[Donn]

I just spent a couple minutes with a web search engine on this, and you could probably get more information yourself if you're motivated enough to do the search yourself. I was curious to know how the "ceramic heater" produces these infrared waves, and the impression I get is they contain an electric element, like in a toaster or an electric range. That makes them hot, whereupon they emit infrared radation.

I believe I emit infrared radiation myself, so I can't be very critical. Maybe I also emit microwaves, or maybe toasters and electric ranges do, but no one has ever complained about it to me.

[bearphonium]

After a fair amount of online research, I bought one about 2 1/2 years ago when I was going through chemo. I love it, and still use it on a sporadic basis. It is a very different experience from a regular sauna or steam bath, easier to tolerate somehow.

[DonShirer]

Nothing mysterious here. They just use lower temperature heaters (110-130 degrees) which emit longer infrared wavelengths. The amount of microwaves given off by these (or a warm cup of cocoa) is miniscule. They are probably less likely to burn you but I have no printable comment on the other therapeutic or medical benefits touted by their manufacturers.