Over the last few years I have often been asked "What is the difference between a Formostar Infrared Body Wrap and an Infrared Sauna?" Well there is quite a difference to say the least but first let me explain what Far Infrared is.
Keeping it simple, Far Infrared (FIR) light is a form of thermal energy and is invisible to the eye. It is the warmth you feel on your skin when you are outside in the sun. FIR is measured in wavelengths called microns which humans best absorb within the 3- to 50- micron range with the optimum being 9.4 microns. This is the exact wavelength the Formostar is programmed to.
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The effects of FIR weaken with distance, so the closer to the source of the FIR your body is, the more impact they will have. This is where the difference between a wrap and a sauna begin!
When close to the body, FIRs can penetrate 4-5cm/2inches through skin (dermis), muscle, blood vessels, lymphatic glands, nerves and cells. Infrared also only travels in straight line and does not reflect. Sauna FIR elements are hidden behind walls and remain out of sight, so it can be guess work finding out how far away from them you might be. These elements will warm you and the air around you; however the penetration will not be as deep into the tissue layers. Due to its close proximity to the skin, 93% of the rays emitted from the Formostar are absorbed through the skin and deeper tissue. Another advantage the wrap has over a sauna is that when having a Formostar Infrared Body Wrap your head is free from heat and you can breathe clean room air, an unavoidable problem associated with a sauna.
Most Infrared Saunas only last for half an hour session. It actually takes the body 20-30 minutes to warm to a fat burning stage thus a sauna is over just as you are starting! A Formostar lasts fifty mins which gives you more than enough time to sweat up a storm and burn up to 1200 calories.
Far Infrared energy vibrates the cells helping to break down the connections between deposits such as fats and toxins. Continuous vibration of the body's molecules increases dermis temperature, dilates blood vessels, stimulates circulation and activates metabolism in tissues and cells. With the targeted and deep effect of the Formostar wraps, the areas we have larger deposits of fat on(tummy, hips and thighs) are targeted so those cells underneath will be activated more and release more fat and toxins.
The Formostar is German made and only machine of its kind in the world to use non-allergenic high density silicone in its wraps. This is necessary in order for the wraps to be certified for use on the human body. Being silicon, the wraps are impermeable to bacteria and are also very easily cleaned of body fluids with an organic sanitiser in between clients. Whilst there have been bacterial issues with multiple users in a sauna, there are no known issues from use of the Formostar.
The Formostar has been approved as a Type 2 Medical Device in Europe, US and Australia and has been safety and compliance tested in Australasia. It is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and is the only Infrared device with these approvals. If products are not listed as approved therapeutic devices, companies are not legally allowed to make any claims that their products can achieve specific results especially for weight-loss and pain relief. In order to make claims that their product can actually produce these results, the companies must have their own studies. You will find that most other infrared products rely on articles published on the web and anecdotal evidence with regard to the benefits of infrared to sell their products. The Formostar has two clinical studies and a third underway.
Each Formostar client must complete a medical questionnaire prior to their wrap to ensure they have no contraindications. Other products which heat the body do not do so. All staff must undergo training and be accredited in order to use the Formostar on clients; other Infrared products do not appear have this accreditation process.
Formostar Infrared Body Wrap VS Infrared Sauna: The Differences Revealed
So there you go, there are many differences as you can see between the Formostar Infrared Body Wrap and an Infrared Sauna. I recommend you go and try both of them to experience the difference yourself.
Lisa O'Connor, RN MHS is passionate about assisting clients to lose weight and reclaim their health. Her website http://www.trimntone.com.au will show you how she achieves great results with her clients: Trim n Tone Body Toning Studio.