Infrared is a type of light. Your eyes can’t see it, but your body feels it as gentle heat, the same warmth you get from the sun on your skin or a warm stove, minus the harmful UV rays. In wellness, infrared means using that invisible light to warm the body from the inside, and a lot of people find it genuinely relaxing and helpful for recovery. There are three kinds, near, mid, and far infrared, and each one is used a little differently. If you have ever stepped into an infrared pod or walked on an infrared treadmill and wondered what was actually happening to your body, this guide is for you.
What does infrared actually mean?
Infrared sits right past the red end of visible light on the electromagnetic spectrum. That is literally where the name comes from: “infra” means below, so infrared is the light just below red. We cannot see it, but we feel it as heat every single day.
It was first discovered in 1800 by the astronomer William Herschel. He passed sunlight through a prism and placed thermometers along the different colors to measure their heat.
When he moved a thermometer just past the red band, where there was no visible light at all, it registered the highest temperature of the whole experiment. That invisible, warmest region became known as infrared, and NASA still uses its original experiment to teach the discovery today.
You already experience infrared constantly. The warmth of sunlight on your face, the heat from a lamp, even the glow you feel standing near a fireplace, that is infrared doing its thing.
The three types of infrared: near, mid, and far
Infrared is not one single thing. It spans a range of wavelengths, and where a wavelength falls in that range changes how it behaves in the body. Think of it less like one tool and more like a small toolbox.
Near infrared
Near infrared has the shortest wavelength of the three and it is the one most associated with cellular energy, circulation, and workout recovery. At Body Lab Studio, near infrared is what powers our Infrared Fitness equipment, including the InfraPower treadmill and our infrared bikes, along with our Philips medical-grade infrared lights. You get the light while you move, not instead of moving.
Mid infrared
Mid-infrared sits in the middle. It is generally discussed in relation to circulation and general warming, offering a mid-depth heat that many people describe as flexible and easy to sit with.
Far infrared
Far infrared has the longest wavelength of the group, and it is the one behind the deep, gentle warmth you feel inside an infrared pod. At Body Lab, far infrared is what our Wellness Pods and our Infrared Body Roller are built around. It is a slower, fuller kind of heat, less about movement and more about letting your body soak it in.
Want the deeper breakdown on wavelengths and depth? Read our blog on near, mid, and far infrared.
Infrared heat versus red light; they are not the same thing
This mix-up happens a lot, so let’s clear it up simply.
| Parameter |
Infrared heat (far infrared) |
Red light therapy |
|
What it is |
Invisible light felt as warmth |
Visible red light, no real heat sensation |
|
How it feels |
Deep, relaxing warmth |
Gentle glow, cool to the touch |
|
Where it’s used at Body Lab |
Wellness Pods, Body Roller, Infrared Fitness |
POLY Red Light |
|
Main use |
Relaxation, circulation, recovery warmth |
Skin and cellular light exposure |
Both have their place, and honestly a lot of clients use both, just not for the same reason. Infrared heat is about warmth working through your tissue. Red light therapy is a completely separate modality using visible light. We keep them distinct here at the studio, and you should keep them distinct in your head too.
What is infrared actually used for in wellness?
Let’s stay grounded here. Infrared is not a miracle and we are never going to tell you it cures anything. What it genuinely supports, based on how people describe their experience and what current research points to, is warmth, relaxation, and recovery.
People commonly use infrared for:
- Relaxing after a long or stressful day
- Warming up before movement or cooling down after it
- Working up a gentle sweat
- Easing tired, stiff, or overworked muscles
- Supporting circulation
A narrative review published in 2026 looking at red and near-infrared light in athletes found that pre-exercise use has been linked to improvements in things like time to exhaustion and strength in several trials, though the effect size varies a lot by dose, wavelength, and the person using it.
Some trials found real benefit and some found none, which is honestly the most accurate summary of where the science currently stands. This is exactly why we never promise a specific result. We tell people what infrared is designed to do, and we let their bodies tell them the rest.
What infrared is not?
It does not melt fat, it does not detox toxins on its own, and it will not burn a specific number of calories for you while you sit there. If a claim like that ever crosses your path, treat it with a healthy amount of skepticism.
Curious how infrared fits into a broader recovery or weight management plan? Read our post on infrared and weight loss for the honest version of that conversation.
Is infrared safe?
Short answer: Yes, infrared heat is widely considered safe for most healthy adults when used as directed. Because it is not UV light, it does not carry the sunburn risk that comes with sun exposure. The Mayo Clinic has stated plainly that no harmful effects have been reported with infrared sauna-style use, and Cleveland Clinic doctors describe the side effects as rare and generally mild when people follow basic guidance.
A few things worth keeping in mind before your first session:
- Hydrate before and after; this matters more than people expect
- Ease into it, start with shorter sessions and build up from there
- If you are pregnant, managing a health condition, or unsure, check with your doctor first
Want the full breakdown, including who should be extra cautious? We wrote a dedicated piece on it here: Is infrared therapy safe? Let’s clear up any doubts.
How Body Lab Studio uses infrared, right here in Myrtle Beach
We built our infrared offerings around the difference between near and far infrared, on purpose, so each piece of equipment actually does what it is meant to do.
- Infrared Pods (far infrared). This is our passive, full-body warmth experience. You lay back, the pod does the work, and far infrared heat warms you from the inside out. To be clear, this is not a traditional rock or steam sauna. It is a far-infrared heat experience, which means lower, more comfortable temperatures with a different kind of warmth.
- Infrared Fitness (near infrared). This is movement paired with near-infrared light, using our InfraPower treadmill and infrared bikes. You are working out, and the light is working alongside you, not replacing the workout itself. Learn more about heat therapy with movement or check the Infrared Fitness sessions directly.
- Infrared Body Roller (far infrared). This one blends traditional wood rolling with far infrared heat for a warming, contouring flow that a lot of our regulars genuinely look forward to each week.
If you live anywhere along the Grand Strand, you know how brutal a South Carolina summer can be on your body. Between the heat outside, long days on your feet, and workouts that leave you sore, infrared is a nice way to help your body recover on your own schedule, whether that is after the beach, after the gym, or just after a long week.
Try infrared at Body Lab
If you have read this far, you already know more about infrared than most people who walk in our door for the first time, and that is a good place to start from. Curious to feel it for yourself? Book a free consult and we will help you pick the right infrared option for what you actually need, no pressure, no guesswork.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is infrared used for?
Mostly warmth, relaxation, and recovery. People use it to unwind, loosen up sore muscles, or feel refreshed after activity.
Is infrared safe?
For most healthy adults, yes, when used as directed. It does not carry the UV rays that cause sunburn. If you are pregnant or managing a health condition, check with your doctor first.
What is the difference between near and far infrared?
Near infrared is a shorter wavelength often paired with movement and recovery, like our Infrared Fitness equipment. Far infrared is a longer wavelength that gives you the deep, gentle warmth of an infrared pod or the Body Roller.
Does infrared help with weight loss?
It supports circulation and recovery and it will make you sweat, but it is not a weight loss shortcut on its own. It works best alongside movement and everyday healthy habits.
How often should you use infrared?
It really depends on your goals and how your body responds. A lot of people start with a couple of sessions a week and adjust from there. Our team is happy to help you figure out a routine that actually fits your life.
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, “Infrared, Catch the Wave” — https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/infrared-catch-the-wave/
- NASA Science, “Infrared Waves” — https://science.nasa.gov/ems/07_infraredwaves/
- Mayo Clinic, “Do infrared saunas have any health benefits?” — https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/infrared-sauna/faq-20057954
- Cleveland Clinic, “Infrared Saunas: What They Do and 6 Health Benefits” — https://health.clevelandclinic.org/infrared-sauna-benefits
- “Photobiomodulation (Red and Near Infrared Light Therapy) for Mitochondrial Stimulation and Biological Recovery in Athletes: A Narrative Review,” Quality in Sport, 2026 — https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/73741
