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UPDATE: If you guys would like to learn how to make a multi-lamp unit, check out this tutorial on How to Build a Portable Infrared Sauna.
You guys have probably heard me talk about my near infrared sauna lamp on social media. I’ve mentioned it on Facebook and on Instagram and people are always curious about how I made it and why I use it.
My NTP introduced me to the power of infrared sauna therapy as part of my mineral balancing protocols. If you’re not familiar with mineral balancing and what I’ve been doing to help improve my health, please read my most recent Let’s Get Personal posts, where I go into detail about my health journey as of late:
- How Mineral Balancing Has Improved My Monthly Cycle
- How Mineral Balancing Has Changed My Life (for the better!)
- How Mineral Balancing is Helping Me Manage Stress
I try to do two sessions of infrared therapy every day:
- 20-30 minutes in the morning during my coffee enema. I cannot even tell you how relaxing this is!
- 20-30 minutes at night right before bed. I get all of my pre-bed stuff done so that I can relax and when I’m done, I can just unplug my lamp, roll over, and go to sleep. Zzzzzz….
Now, I’d love to tell you a little bit about near infrared therapy, but I don’t want this blog post to get super long, so I encourage you to do your own research on it and see if it’s a good fit for you. But, before we get started, I must tell you this:
DISCLAIMER: Due to the FDA and FTC laws on health claims, I need to make this very clear. None of the information in this post is to be construed as medical advice. I am not a doctor or certified medical practitioner of any sort. The content shared on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. Statements/products discussed have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease or illness. Please consult your own certified health care practitioner before making changes to your current diet or before beginning any herbal or vitamin supplement regimen or exercise program.
Why Near Infrared Therapy Works
John Harvey Kellogg, MD is credited with inventing the near infrared lamp sauna about 100 years ago. At the time, it was not well known or understood as a therapy.
Hot air baths have been used in a variety of cultures for thousands of years. There were Mayan sweat houses, Mexican temescal, Russian bania, Native American sweat lodge, etc. In Europe saunas are more commonly used than here in the States.
In the 20th century, sauna use declined since modern medicine took precedence in treating any form of illness. Over the last 2-3 decades sauna use has started to make a comeback as more people recognize it as a safe and powerful method of detoxifying the body.
Saunas of all types can help the body detoxify. They do this by improving circulation and helping relieve internal congestion.
Heating the body also helps with destroying bad bacteria, viruses, etc. The process of sweating is also very healing, as sweat is a major detoxification event by helping the body eliminate chemicals, heavy metals, and other toxins that may have built up in our body.
I want to clarify that I am talking about NEAR infrared today. There are also far infrared saunas, but near infrared is what is considered electromagnetically safer.
If you’re looking for a sauna either to purchase or use in a spa, always look for near infrared, as there are pretty significant differences between near and far infrared. This is from Dr. Lawrence Wilson:
In a near infrared lamp sauna, the wiring is all on one wall, and the rest of the sauna is relatively far from the 110-volt house wiring. In a far infrared sauna, the emitters are scattered throughout the sauna, so the wiring goes all around the sauna, on all its walls. This means there is no place in the sauna that is further away from the electric wiring.
More important, however, is that far infrared saunas emit far more harmful electromagnetic fields. This has to do with the frequencies they are supposed to emit in the 4-15 micron range. This is similar in nature to the emissions from cell phones and portable phones. It is in the microwave spectrum and quite harmful for some people who are sensitive to these frequencies. In fact, in some far infrared saunas, the EMF emissions actually reverse the polarity of the body. I do not have studies to prove this, but it is our observation.
Some companies claim to shield their far infrared emitters, but they cannot get rid of this radiation, as it is a feature of far infrared emission. The only way this type of sauna will not emit a small microwave field is if, in fact, the emitters are not putting out much far infrared radiation. In other words, it really cannot be avoided if the unit is actually putting out far infrared in the amount that they claim it is doing.
Due to the electromagnetic pollution from the far infrared saunas, I would totally avoid them.
For a complete breakdown of the differences between near and far infrared and why near is superior, I recommend this informative post by Dr. Lawrence Wilson.
Some Benefits of Infrared Sauna Therapy
Near infrared therapy has a lot of benefits to the body. According to Dr. Lawrence Wilson:
Near infrared is an antioxidant nutrient, activates the cells, supports metabolic processes and decouples toxins from water molecules. Near infrared is helpful for wound healing and cellular regeneration as well. Near infrared frequencies can also act as amplifiers of other frequencies that are in the vicinity of the heat lamps.
Here are some of the benefits that you may experience with sauna therapy:
- Skin rejuvenation by helping the skin eliminate toxins.
- Enhanced sweating, which helps eliminate heavy metals and toxic chemicals.
- Exercise benefits by helping enhance circulation and oxidation of the tissues.
- Decongesting of the internal organs by again helping improve blood circulation.
- Fever therapy (hyperthermia) for infections, by helping the body raise it’s core temperature to help kill bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. Can also apply to tumors, radiation poisoning, and mutated cells.
- Inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system by helping the body relax and move out the the “fight or flight” state that so many of us live in.
- Improving oxygenation, hydration, and circulation of the cells and organs.
If you haven’t already read it, I HIGHLY recommend the book Sauna Therapy by Lawrence Wilson, MD. It is FASCINATING! You can find it on Amazon.
Safety and Warnings
IMPORTANT NOTE: Infrared therapy is best done when working with a knowledgeable practitioner on a focused mineral balancing protocol. It is NOT advised that you do extensive infrared sessions without being on a mineral balancing protocol. Doing so can often create new problems in the body. I strongly encourage people to consider doing mineral balancing via hair tissue mineral analysis. It is a powerful method of healing the body and really giving your body what it needs for your specific needs.
For more information on HTMA, please read the following articles and listen to my podcasts:
- How Mineral Balancing Has Improved My Monthly Cycle
- How Mineral Balancing Has Changed My Life (for the better!)
- How Mineral Balancing is Helping Me Manage Stress
- Podcast: All about HTMA
- Mineral Balancing Testing and Support via my NTP, Lydia of Divine Health (affiliate link)
- Health Assessment via my NTP, Lydia of Divine Health
As with all treatments, we need to exercise common sense when it comes to using an infrared sauna or lamp. As always, I am not a doctor and am not giving medical advice. PLEASE consult your physician before embarking on any new detoxification, supplement, etc. protocols.
Some people may find that they have strong reactions to this form of therapy, so it’s best to:
1. Start off slow — don’t spend more than 10-20 minutes per day in a sauna. As your body heals, you may be able to increase this time. I am following the recommendations of my NTP (Lydia from Divine Health) to ensure that I don’t cause any harm to my body.
2. Do not take high-dose niacin or exercise before using the sauna.
3. Make sure you drink lots of water BEFORE the sauna session, as well as after.
4. Make sure you replace minerals that are lost from sweating. Definitely work with a knowledgeable practitioner on this, as minerals are a tricky thing and I do not advise randomly supplementing with a bunch of stuff.
5. Relax after your sauna session and allow your body to readjust. Don’t hop up and get back to your daily activities. This is why I LOVE to do my sauna sessions right before bed.
6. If you are pregnant, you should avoid near infrared lamps as the infrared energy can be harmful to the developing baby.
7. Children under 5 should also avoid near infrared lamps and saunas, as their bodies do not yet sweat well and they can quickly become dehydrated and ill from the heat exposure.
How to Make an Infrared Sauna Lamp
There are a lot of different options when it comes to infrared saunas. There are really large wooden saunas that are super expensive (but awesome). One day, I would LOVE to have one or build one myself.
There are portable infrared saunas, which are much smaller and more affordable. I have not personally tried any of the portable ones and have read mixed reviews on them, as some seem to be using far infrared, not near. I am going to do some more research on them in the future. Will report back on that.
As much as I’d love a large sauna or even a portable one, the cost is prohibitive right now, as is the size, since we just don’t have room in our house for any large saunas at this time.
Someday, when I get to build my own house, I am going to build in space for a big sauna. 🙂 Dr. Wilson has a tutorial on how to build larger saunas at home here and I created my own version (which was easier than Dr. Wilson’s) here.
So, when space and money is an issue, you can make a small single bulb lamp. This is the most affordable option (only takes about $25), takes up pretty much no room, and can have tremendous healing results. The bulbs emit mainly near infrared energy, with a small mount of middle infrared.
These bulbs emit small amounts of red, orange, and yellow invisible light, which are all helpful in drawing energy down into the body and assisting with digestive and elimination organs. I do the bulk of my infrared therapy on my torso, sides, and back, but I also am starting to do some targeted sessions on my thyroid. One of my goals for 2015 is to wean myself off of my thyroid medication.
I did a video on the lamp I made and show you just how easy it is to make. Note, when using the lamp, you will need to shine it on bare skin. It will not work through clothing.
All you need for these single lamps are:
IMPORTANT UPDATE: If you are looking at the lamps from Home Depot, check the wattage on the box. There seems to have been a manufacturing error with Home Depot’s lamps and depending on what part of the country you live in, the lamp may not be rated for 300 watts. In the West it looks like the lamps are properly rated, but in the East they are not. The lamp I have below is rated correctly, but I have had a couple other readers mention that in their region the lamps are not rated for 300 watts.
Home Depot also said they will be remedying the situation, so make sure you check back with them. You could also check other home improvement stores like Lowes, Ace, True Value, and I’m sure there are a gazillion others. You can also find them on Amazon here.
NOTE: As of March 2017, I am still able to find the correct materials for this project at my local (Denver) Home Depot and Lowes, but some people in other parts of the country have said that they are unable to. You are just going to have to check your local stores and see what is available in your area. You can also find them on Amazon here.
Have you ever tried infrared therapy? Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear your experiences.
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I went to Home Depot to get both of the products to make the sauna. The lamp you purchased is no longer rated up to 250 degrees. The company has lowered the degrees.
Hi Sue – That is actually a production error on Home Depot’s part. And, it depends on the region you are in. I had another reader just email me about the same thing and it looks like in the Eastern markets the lamps are different than here in the West. In Denver, they are still correct and the ones I am recommending ARE rated for 300 watts. Home Depot also said they will be remedying the situation as well, so make sure you check back with them! You could also check other home improvement stores like Lowes, Ace, True Value, and I’m sure there are a gazillion others! 🙂
Awesome info! Do you use the lamp with your clothes on? Does it work well enough through clothing?
Kim – No, it will not work through clothes. You will need to strip down so your skin is exposed. I’ll make sure to clarify that in the article! 🙂
My first thought was, that looks like a heat lamp for chicks! I love the idea of getting warm light, perfect for getting ready for bed. Thanks for this.
LOL! It is! My folks use them for their chicks! 🙂
Hi again. I finally bought the lamp today, but I find that the clamp is awkward and seemingly dangerous the way it swivels and droops from the weight of the lamp. Would you mind showing a picture of how you set it up? Are you sitting or lying down? How far away fro the lamp are you?
Thank you so much in advance for helping me.
Hi Kim – I don’t have any problems with my clamp not staying secure. It sounds like you probably don’t have the wing nut on there tight enough. You really need to tighten it down to make it secure. If it’s tight enough, then you can position the lamp any direction you want and it will stay without moving. You’ll have to re-tighten it every once in awhile as it will loosen a bit with use. My dresser is right next to my bed, so I lay in my bed with the lamp clamped on the side of the dresser drawer about 12-18 inches above where I am laying. I just position it to shine down on me and it works great! Hope that helps! 🙂
Is the unit sold as a kit or does one purchase each part separately? Does it require disassembling when traveling with it? I’m traveling on a plane and want to take it on the road for use in the hotel. What thoughts do you have about traveling with it-can one put in carry on or check luggage?
Thanks
Hi Dorothy – I show you exactly what you need in the video (the correct lamp and bulb). You would not be able to take this on the plane as carry on. You’d have to look into restrictions for checked baggage. And even then, I’d worry about the bulb breaking as they are very fragile, so I personally would not advise traveling with it. Hope that helps!
Hi Jessica,
I have some questions about using the heat lamps that you have recommended from your article.
I have 2 heat lamps that I have been using in the morning for 10 minutes laying face up and then 10 min side down on my core body. I then rinse after the tx. My body is about 18 inches from the heat lamp. I have been getting red blotches on my core body area after the tx along with a warm feeling…The warm feeling is kind of like sitting outside in the sunshine for awhile. Not burning but warming feeling. Also, my feet get cold after the tx… (Is this weird or what) Is this normal? Am I too close to the lamps? Are the blotches the toxins coming out? Sometimes I feel a little chilled after the tx. Is this detoxing ? Thank you for your input.
Celeste
Hi Celeste – It’s normal for the skin to turn a little red or pink during this. It really depends on how close you are to the lamp. I would play with the distance that feels most comfortable for you. I tend to sit pretty close to the lamps (12 inches or so) and my skin does get red, but it fades pretty quick. The warming feeling sounds normal. I find that feeling so relaxing. If you ever have a burning feeling, you’re too close to the lamp. I am not sure about the chilled feeling though, as I’ve not had that happen. I’ll have to ask my practitioner about that.
I purchased the infrared bulbs from Lowes but they are white bulbs not red like I’m seeing in your post. Could these bulbs work? It says 250 watt infrared on the box.
Hi Melissa – I have never seen the white bulbs before and I am not really sure if they would work. My gut says no because every tutorial I have ever read specifically talks about the red bulbs. I’ll have to do some research on that. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Jessica, thank you for the very informative video. My questions: does the single lamp treatment generate a sweat? And, does the lamp come with the wire protective cage or did you purchase that separately? Thanks again. Blessings to you.
Hi Janet! Glad it was helpful! In my experience, the single lamp is not enough to generate sweat, but there are still health benefits from the near infrared exposure. The single lamps are ideal for smaller targeted areas. I use it on my torso, liver area, and thyroid area. The wire covering comes with the lamp unit when you buy it and I encourage everyone to use it. Those bulbs get HOT! 🙂 LMK if you have any other questions!!
Thanks for the video. I’m not clear on how it will work with the clamp though, as I would think one would want the lamp shining straight down over the body, not sideways from being clamped to my dresser which is alongside my bed. Can you please clarify? Thanks!
Great question! It doesn’t really matter if the light is hitting you from the top or the side. What matters is that you are getting the exposure of 12-24 inches, regardless of the angle it is hitting you. So, you will need to experiment with location and see what works best for you. For example, when I am laying in the bed and using it, it is shining from the side, so I lay on my side and expose my stomach to the lamp and then will rotate and expose my back, etc. Hope that helps! 🙂
Is the bulb red meaning it’s only using the heat ( energy?) from the red part of the light spectrum. I remember dr Wilson or another reliable practitioner writing that it should be also yellow and another color (Orange?) and that all red was not good.
Hi Jean – According to Dr. Wilson’s book, far infrared emits a narrow spectrum while the near infrared red heat lamps (like the one used for this project) provide a wider spectrum with some orange and yellow visible light as well. He talks about that all in detail in his Sauna Therapy book, which I highly recommend (it’s a fast, but fascinating read). I think he also has info about the spectrum on his website if I recall correctly. Hope that helps! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Is it good to use on face for anti-aging?
Hi Rebecca – These lamps are not safe for use on your face or head, as it can create too much heat for the brain. Please use only on the neck region and lower. Hope that helps!
Hi! I just bought these bulbs but they are clear not red? Will the clear not work? Do o need to find red ones?
Hi Delanie – That’s always frustrating! Yes, you do need the red ones. You should be able to exchange them for the correct ones.
If it does not say IR or Infrared … they are not producing NIR.
Home Depot just sells red heat lamps that are incandescent bulbs, red tinted. You are not getting NIR benefits.
Hi Mike! You are correct in that they are incandescent bulbs, but according to Dr. Wilson those bulbs do emit red, orange, and yellow light, and some near and middle infrared rays. While it’s not going to provide pure NIR benefits, it has worked well in his practice for many of his patients. I know it has helped me quite a bit. Hope that helps!
Could I get a sauna effect from using say, 3-4 lamps? I feel that doing the traditional steam sauna everyday helped get me off of thyroid medication AND got rid of my cellulite as well as glowing skin and a whole host of other benefits but I am no longer able to tolerate the sauna anymore as it makes me sick for days after a 20 minute session. I’d like to also get off my medication again. After 5 months of the steam sauna I was able to get off my thyroid meds. Have you been able to get off of your meds?
Hi Elane – Yes, it is possible. Check out this post: https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2015/09/how-to-build-a-portable-infrared-sauna. That is great regarding the steam sauna helping you get off your thyroid meds! How wonderful! I wish I had access to different saunas but I don’t and they are expensive per session to go to a facility. For now, my homemade versions are just going to have to work! I have not been able to get off my meds and at this point I don’t feel that it will be possible and that’s OK. I’ve made peace with it and will just have to see what my body does as I continue to heal. 🙂
I have a far infrared sauna. COuld I bring a few of these lights into it? Perhaps while the unit is off and only using the bulbs?
Hi Maria! I am not sure about that. You may need to check with the manufacturer. I don’t want to advise you to do something that may damage your current sauna. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Hi Jessica
If I was to buy 2 or 3 of those lamps build a structure that would support a canvas tent (like thing) clamp the lights inside the tent would this work like a infrared sauna? Or would it be too intense?
Thanks, Laura
Hi Laura – No, not at all! I have a tutorial on how to make a larger unit: https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2015/09/how-to-build-a-portable-infrared-sauna/. I used this one for a long time and loved it. I just recently upgraded to a professionally made near infrared sauna. Will be sharing more info about that once I’ve had adequate time to really test it out. 3-4 lamps in a small confined area is ideal for adequate sweating. Always make sure you go by how you feel and if you have any health problems consult with your doctor before using. LMK if you have any questions! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Having been a 4 times wounded, now former USMC Combat Veteran who also has had 6 spine fusions from neck all the way down to L5/S1 (tailbone) all done in 2014 I also had to have an emergency Mastectomy of my left breast. Being a man, THAT was just one of quite a few surprises of the worst year o my life…Now told I wasn’t going to ever walk again I refused to accept it so bought Trekking Poles and fought to relearn. Got up to 1-2 miles per day every single day,only missed ONE day in 2 years. Then one day almost 1 year ago I fell, like I did most every single day but this time never got back up. IDIOT doctors and surgeons, same ones who had succeeded in crippling me for life spent another $35K plus “testing & researching the cause of what had happened to me. The answer finally came 9 months and thousands of wasted dollars later, blood test showed I had late stage chronic Lyme Disease!
So I am now in process of changing over to all Paleo Diet, and bought a horrific VERY high EMF FIR portable tent sauna from Amazon but thanks to YOUR video on the Tube and THIS page, will have my beautiful wife Trish build me one of your Near Field saunas:-) She is fighting Cancer that killed her brother when he was only 19 years of age and killing herself trying to help ME survive this nightmare. The Lyme disease has not responded to ANY of the thousands of dollars of assorted protocols of herbal treatment in 4 months so will try sauna treament mixed with strict diet protocols and see if I can at least survive a bit more comfortably than I have been at least? I have had muscle wasting SO severe it took over 2 1/2 inches of EACH of my calves muscle and did this in just about 3-6 weeks time. It was SO severe and SO sudden we didn’t notice but my Ortho surgeon sure did and had his tape measure to prove it. He assures us I had to have MS, then we heard ALS which nearly made me suicidal I was so terrified….So this bumpy ride has led me here and I HAVE to tell you a very heart felt THANK you for the sharing and a video that is SO crystal clear and wonderfully done in a simple way it makes even ME unafraid to pursue making my own. Wel I should say to cheer my wife om as she goes to work and build me a “super box”> I may do a 4 light, not sure, I WAS a large guy before Lyme completely destroyed me. 6’2″ tall and always around 220-240 pounds till once grew to 258 pounds thanks to 9 months in bed pre-op for Ortho surgery…Now I am unable to even stand up much less walk at all. Even with assistance I am unable to stand the Lyme disease spirochetes have entered into the brain and now done havoc with neurological damage which is also common. The signals to walk no longer make the trip and even if they could, they have already eaten the muscles to allow it. This is a horrible disease I knew NOTHING about. Add to ALL of this, the fact I will turn 68 on the 27 th of this month if I make it and it is just astounding my heart has not just given up and stopped besides the fact it is now so broken from seeing how hard my poor wife has had to work to keep things going around here.
So thank you from the bottom of this tired and old heart. You give just a tiny measure of hope and a BIG round of appreciation in an otherwise now vacant life filled mostly with only despair these days….
Mike in Oceanside California
Hi Mike! Thanks for stopping by and sharing some of your story! Thank you for your service and I am so sorry you have been hit so hard healthwise. You have really had a rough road. I hope that this sauna is helpful for you. I have really enjoyed it.
I know you mentioned Lyme and I have to ask if you have ever considered looking into mold illness (CIRS)? I am seeing more and more people who have chronic Lyme infections who do not respond to any form of treatment and they get sicker and sicker. Then they look into CIRS and start treatment for that and they start to get better. This is not going to be the case 100% of the time, but in my experience it is very common.
One of my dearest friends had this exact thing happen to her (Lyme that would not respond to ANY treatment and she got sicker and sicker and sicker) and now she is a CIRS practitioner on a mission to help others. In her experience she is finding that Lyme and CIRS often go hand-in-hand. We did two podcast episodes with her on this site that you can listen to here:
Mold Illness Podcasts Part 1: https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2016/03/the-vh-podcast-episode-30-mold-illness-101/
Mold Illness Podcasts Part 2: https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2016/05/vh-podcast-episode-34-mold-illness-201/
If this is an area you want to consider looking at, this is the site I’d start with: http://www.survivingmold.com/
Not sure if this is an area you want to look into, but I feel an obligation to share since I have personally seen many people in similar situations as you who have made progress with their Lyme when they start looking into CIRS. Best wishes to you and your wife on your healing journeys!
Hi! I had a friend build me this following this video! The only thing he did not do was buy the bulbs he sent me the link to go and buy them myself and he said they will be fine for the sauna I got the 250 W heat bulbs (white) they are not red will they not work?
Hi Cristina – Thanks for stopping by! The white ones will not work. You need to get the red ones. According to Dr. Wilson’s research, the white ones do not give you the light spectrum you need. Hope that helps!
hi Jessica,
Thanks for all of this great info! We started using a white light ( referenced below on the Forefront Health website) for improving thyroid hormone production, and it seemed to really help with low thyroid symptoms. Then we started reading about red light being more effective so we ordered the Rubylux red bulb below (there are no toxins/ lead in these bulbs) I was just wondering if this Rubylux bulb seems to be similar to the one you are using?
Also, we have had Chronic Lyme in the family and after starting to use the Rubylux red bulb, started to feel like we were going through some detox symptoms- it would make sense that these lights could be reducing inflammation and killing off some of these bugs, including Borellia? Have you had any experience with this?
Thanks so much!
http://www.forefronthealth.com/light-therapy-for-hypothyroidism/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003P1MQDK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N4JE9U6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Hi Deirdre! Thanks for stopping by! I have not personally looked into or used the Rubylux bulbs, but have been told by some other people that they are great. I have not had any experience with using these bulbs and Lyme, though everyone is so unique that I certainly don’t doubt that some people could experience a detox reaction. I have personally not had any reactions to the sauna use other than an occasional headache and I’m not sure if that is a detox reaction or perhaps I’m not re-hydrating properly. It only happens once in awhile though. Best wishes as you guys continue to heal!! 🙂
Hi, I went to get the exact item you listed – from home depot today. The box lists that it is rated for 150 W and no more. I see all the comments below but they are from years ago. This has not been fixed or it has been changed and downgraded. I found a similar item on amazon and have to see if it’s labeled properly on the box when it arrives by next week. I thought you should know.
Hi Leba! Thanks for stopping by! It may depend on the area you live. Both my Home Depot and Lowes still carry the correct versions of the materials in this post and I’ve had a ton of people tell me that they have not had any issues finding the correct materials as well. I’m not sure why it is not consistent across the board. Very strange indeed. I’ll definitely make another note in the post! Thanks!
Hi, I’m seeing the same thing in Illinois, and what I’m wondering is this: is this a mis-labeling issue, or are the lamps sold east of Denver actually wired to only handle 150 watts? We bought one and are tempted to try it out, it’s cheaper and quicker to try than ordering online. I just found out I have Gilbert’s Syndrome which is behind my chronic adrenal fatigue and chronic fatigue “syndrome”, and OCD issues and fatigue issues etc. for so long. I don’t have an enzyme needed to break down bilirubin. I can’t know if this will work for sure and yet I have hope in Jesus that this will help me and I’m super appreciative for the advice.
Hi Margaret! I honestly have no idea! That is really weird. I only have experience with what is here in CO. You might call the manufacturer and confirm. Maybe it is a labeling issue. I don’t see why they would have different lamps for different regions. I hope you get some answers and find the healing you need! Thank you for stopping by!
Hi —
Love your information and I have begun getting items together. Have always loved infrared sauna but they were far infra red. So….time to make my own.
I have two photography stands, two ceramic sockets (500watts ea), two near infrared bulbs (free of mercury, teflon and fluroinated fumes not LED) and two 10″ reflectors set up along side the tub. (Almost looks like those bulbs that warm chickens)
I read somewhere not to actually touch the bulb due to oils in skin. So I wear gloves.
I have a cotton canopy and I am ready to go. Oh, need goggles too! I think I read green for infrared?
The distance is approx 24″ from skin. And I am comfortable with that. I may lower the lights later on – but they seem to be alright for now.
I am just wondering if 15 minutes front then 15 back would do it? Laying in tub on poplar mat with cotton towels.
I am not sure how much heat will actually be felt at this distance and since the area is somewhat open I just wonder if I should add another light stand/bulb set up?
Thanks again.
Hi Barb! Thanks for stopping by! Sounds like you have an awesome set up! Yes, from what I have red, green is the right color for the infrared. I always just kept my eyes closed, but recently got a pair of green goggles from another company and like them. I still keep my eyes closed even with them on though.
As far as the time duration, that really depends on you and your needs. There is no right amount of time for this. Dr. Wilson says any amount is helpful, from 10 minutes to an hour. It’s all about what you can tolerate. Some people can only handle a few minutes, while others could stay an hour or more.
12-24 inches is what I have been told as a good range for the light, and again, this is based on your needs. 12 inches is way too close for some people and others find that they need more than 24 to be comfortable. I will say that in my experience, the tolerance seems to build up over time. I can sit much closer to the bulbs now than I could when I first started. Hope that helps! Happy sauna-ing! 🙂
what is the EMF to this lamps
Hi Javier! I have not personally tested the EMF output of these lamps so I can’t say, though near infrared is always going to be lower than far infrared. If you are very concerned about it, you might consider getting an EMF reader for your own testing.
I also know, regarding emf, that they are very very low for the bulbs.
As for infrared panels in typical wooden saunas, those have alot of emf. Some companies have protected against it.
Still the bulb and brooder is way to go.
Also leds have inferior chromatic light signature. Basically the light from leds are inferior to the light from incandescent tungsten Bulbs.
Bulbs are the way to go. Some wooden saunas also have Bulbs.
Hi Joe and Javier! Not all wooden saunas are going to be high EMF. The main thing to look for is NEAR infrared as opposed to FAR infrared. Far is going to be much higher EMF than near. There are a few reputable brands of near infrared saunas out there, though they can be very expensive and take up a lot of space so they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re looking for a multi-lamp unit, take a look at my tutorial here: https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2015/09/how-to-build-a-portable-infrared-sauna.
Where can i place this brooder clamp? im not sure where i could clamp it. in case the clamp fails on me
i wish I have something to place it on
maybe a steel pan? or top of my oven?
Hi Joe! Thanks for stopping by! You’ll have to get creative here and find a space that gives you room to lay under it while it is clamped safely above you. You might try your dresser, a bookcase, or even a drawer in your kitchen or bathroom. Perhaps even a coffee table or an end table. You’ll just need to experiment with what you have in your home and find something that works for you. Cheers!
Amazon shows the R40 bulb you have and a Therabulb NIr-A near infrared bulb for twice the price! Is there much difference between the two? Thanks for all the good info. I’m a newbie to all this and excited to try it.
Hi Carole! Thanks for stopping by! I think we have already emailed about this, but just in case I wanted to answer here too. I am not familiar with the bulb you mentioned, so I am unable to offer any specific advice since I have not researched or used that one. The bulbs I use are the ones that are recommended by Dr. Wilson, who is the doctor I have learned so much about near infrared from. I kind of view him as the father of modern day near infrared info so I figure if they are good enough for him, they’re good enough for me. 🙂 Hope that helps!!
Hi
Thanks for the great information!
FYI, I sourced my bulbs at a very cheap price at Ace Hardware.
A 2 pack of Westinghouse r40, 250 watts for $7.99.
I ordered them online then found out they were in stock at my local store so I picked them up to save the shipping.
Bought the clamp lamp on Amazon Prime for $12.00.
So I’ll get another twin pack and 3 more clamp lamps and use a walk-in closet as the sauna. I need to target my arthritic feet, knees and spine.
. According to many reviews on various sites, it’s ok to target the face.
Hi Beth! That is a great price! Thank you for letting me know. I’ll have to remember to check Ace next time I need to get new ones. I always forget about them even though there is one in my regular line of travel. I really hope it works for you and is able to give you some healing! Best wishes to you. If you have time later on, I’d love to know how things are going!
Thank you this is great I can’t afford n don’t have the room for the big sauna
Im doing dr wilsons HTMA n hopefully will get rid of heavy metals, hypoglycemia and heavy metals
I too would love to get off my thyroid meds
This is great good luck to you
I found you on Facebook
Hi Cheryl! Thanks for stopping by and sharing! I so hope this helps you! Best wishes on your healing journey! 🙂
Thanks for the great video! I just got my Near Infrared Lamp and will be working on my thyroid as well.
I have read some mixed articles about whether or not I would need to use protective goggles. Assuming you have already used this, have you used protective goggles?
Thanks again for your help!
Hi Rebecca – I personally don’t use goggles. I just keep my eyes closed and made sure to never look directly into the lights. I agree that there are mixed reviews about whether we should or shouldn’t wear them so please do whatever makes you the most comfortable.
Hi Jessica – great article, thank you! I was wondering if lower wattage bulbs will work as well? e.g 100W, 150W, 200W. I live in the UK and 250W lamps aren’t too common. Thanks!
Hi Zoe – Yes, the lower wattage would be fine. It might not get warm enough to break a sweat if that is what you are going for. But there would still be benefits to using it and it is super relaxing. Hope that helps! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Hey! Thanks for the video. Question: The light bulbs do NOT say they are infra-red. The lamps at the pet store say IR or Infra-red. Are the normal incandescent bulb with the red glass also infra-red? I’m a bit confused about what makes a bulb emit the light in this spectrum.
Thanks,
Karen
Hi Karen! Thanks for stopping by! According to Dr. Wilson: “The reddish “heat lamp” is tuned to produce a lot of infrared with a special filament design. In contrast, a red light bulb is just an incandescent lamp with a red filter. They are quite opposite in their effects. The infrared lamps sold as “heat lamps” in most hardware stores emit a little red, orange and yellow light, but mostly emit near infrared.” He has a lot of info on his site here: http://drlwilson.com/articles/sauna_therapy.htm. Hope that helps!
Shouldn’t the bulb be near infrared (NIR infrared) for health benefits?
Hi Mari – According to Dr. Wilson: “The reddish “heat lamp” is tuned to produce a lot of infrared with a special filament design. The infrared lamps sold as “heat lamps” in most hardware stores emit a little red, orange and yellow light, but mostly emit near infrared.” He has a lot of info on his site here: http://drlwilson.com/articles/sauna_therapy.htm. You can buy special near infrared bulbs, but they run $25-$50 a bulb the last time I researched them. That’s not budget friendly for most people going the DIY route. I know that Dr. Wilson has treated hundreds (if not thousands) of patients in the course of his career and his methods have helped them and me extensively. Hope that helps! Thanks for stopping by and commenting! 🙂
Hi there! thanks for the info! Does it matter if the lamp shade is big like that? I found some really small ones, the bulb barely fits but I wonder if it matters? Thanks!
Hi Lindsay – The shade does help focus the light a bit more, but it’s not required to be that big. This is the only size lamp that I can find at my local hardware store so I’ve never seen anything smaller than this. Hope that helps!
Suanas were all over a conference that I went to, but they were really price so I bought a bulb and a lamp and made one at home. I like it because I can dry off to it after taking a shower so I don’t have to use a towel (unless I’m in a big hurry 😉
They can be so expensive! And big too. You often have to have a lot of extra space for them. So glad you like the bulb and lamp. It worked great for me! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi 🙂
What is your opinion of the incandescent saunas sold by SaunaSpace? It seems like they have taken saunas to a whole new level!
Best wishes from the UK
Hi Camille! Thanks for stopping by! I have actually heard really good things about SaunaSpace. They are just very pricey and out of many people’s budgets. I have not done much research on the company personally, but I know I have colleagues who have used them before and have said good things.