As the result of multiple
phone conversations with customers and others who are novices
when it comes to ozone therapies and buying ozone equipment and
related items like saunas, I wanted to put together something
to help people in their decision making. I will try to be as
objective as I can since I have obvious prejudices having gotten
into ozone sauna manufacture in the last 5 years out of sheer
frustration.
What Qualifies Me to Speak
on this Subject?
By way of background, I have
worked in Medicine & Alternative Healthcare since 1974. My
first field was as a Lab Tech right out of High School. I am
a Naturopath and Hyperthermist, Phlebotomist, Lymph Therapist,
and am currently finishing my Estheticians training & licensure
so I can help a local Plastic Surgeon with his rejuvenation therapies
doing clinical lymph therapy. I have worked over 13 years with
one of the Pioneer's in Medical Hyperthermia, Dr.Jeff Freeman,
M.D. who pioneered Medical Hyperthermia in Mexico and is the
founder of Europa Institute of Integrated Medicine in Tijuana
along with his wife Dr.Sonia Rodriguez, we have worked together
specializing in Medical Hyperthermia.
I am a certified and board
eligible in BioOxidative Medicine (IBOM) since 1994, and have
been involved with ozone and ozone equipment manufacture since
1988 when I worked with a manufacturer who made medical ozone
equipment in Oregon, now out of business. I have held oxidative
trainings for physicians over the years for the clinical uses
of ozone. I have also taught many people over the years both
lay and professionals and helped them to assemble their own ozone
systems for their particular applications and needs. Building
an ozone far infrared sauna myself was a logical step in my progression
toward optimal health.
There is a lot of history
I could go into with regards to saunas and ozone and how I came
to get involved as a Hyperthermist frustrated with marketplace
quality. Our company was one of the first to combine the benefits
of Far Infrared Light Energy heat and ozone in the same unit
approx. 5 years ago. Recent market trends are causing confusion
for many who are trying to benefit from these technologies which
are crossing over from the therapists office into the home DIY
market. I have been asked by several therapists to write something
to help. This field is very large and the volume of information
is daunting for the novice. What I am putting here is by no means
exhaustive and is not meant to "dis" anyone's particular
products. Rather it is an attempt to help the potential customer
wade through the products out there to help them determine what
they feel is best for them.What
Are The Different Ozone Sauna Technologies & their Benefits
or Drawbacks?
HEAT TECHNOLOGIES:
1.100% Far Infrared Only (penetrates deeper
but requires sufficient power)--these can use hard ceramic heat
elements, carbonized silica wire, carbon film, carbon fabrics
embedded into epoxy, graphite, gemstones & mineral elements
such as Jade, Germanium, Silica, etc. sewn or embedded into fabrics,
etc. This is typically used in a Dry Heat setting.
2. Mixed Infrared (Far Infrared + Midwave) Heat (penetrates
well but tends to get too hot on the surface and burn before
heating deep inner cores--i.e.FlavorWave® Ovens, etc.)
These can include carbon
panels, silica, ceramic, etc. but ceramic tends to crack over
time and give out with cooling and heating process. This is usually
dry heat.
3.Far Infrared combined with ozone/oxygen technologies.
IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE
SAUNA IS BUILT FROM THE BASE UP TO WITHSTAND THE HARSH CORROSIVE
EFFECTS OF OZONE, OTHERWISE THE GAS WILL DESTROY THE SAUNA COMPONENTS
AND VOID THE WARRANTY.
This type of set up requires
the purchase of an ozone generator in addition to the sauna.
Education in ozone generator technologies is critical to insure
the best product and technology for the application.
The law of ozone production
is that it is directly dependent on the temperature & humidity
levels in the room in which it is produced...the warmer and more
moist it is, the faster it degrades back into oxygen. If there
is moisture present like in a steam sauna, it is turning directly
into hydrogen peroxide & water since the water molecule interacts
with the ozone, becoming H202 so you're basically breathing peroxide
steam and taking a peroxide bath.
Ozone is highly interactive
and will oxidize the skin turning back into 02. Dr.Bocci's ongoing
clinical work in Italy confirm this on a daily basis and his
published studies are available in print for anyone interested.
4.Steam Heat: Basically a electric boiler pot
making the steam, either built in or standing outside the sauna
on the floor separately with a vent into the sauna. This heat
source has no far infrared at all (surface heat only;
potentially risky for lung infections (Legionnaires) with long
term use just like a steam bath does).
This has no infrared emission
typically but is dependent on the temperature of the steam coming
from the boiler pot to heat you. Most of these models are either
tent style or fiberglass or polystyrene plastic. Tent styles
are typically not designed for long term use since the ozone
will destroy them over time but they are much cheaper and are
considered disposable, although if it is combined with FIR heater
panels, these are not typically designed to withstand ozone and
the wiring and controllers can go out faster with ozone use.
Hot molded plastic can burn you so be careful with kids around
it. Also, hot plastics emit noxious toxic gases like Dioxin we
don't recommend plastic tent style units just for that reason.
MODELS & STYLES:
1. HARD PLASTIC / FIBERGLASS
STYLES:
Steam Fiberglass Cabinets
sitting w/steam & ozone
Dry Heat FIR Molded Plastic
Capsule Styles (2 piece) One Size Fits All from Asia (Toxic glues)
Benefits:
Long Lasting & Durable
Shell Typically
Look nice
Easy to clean
Easy to enter and exit
Cabinet style doesn't tend
to harbor mold and bacteria
Drawbacks:
Sitting instead of Laying
which is hard on the circulatory and lymph system due to constriction
Most do NOT use 100% Far
Infrared; but steam heat only
Outter shell can get quite
hot with some models...potential for burns.
Only one plastic model made
which uses 100% Far Infrared but is bulky and heavy and uses
a lot of power... not portable at all. SOLD TO DOCTORS ONLY.
Fiberglass or thermoplastic
can get very hot and potentially burn someone. Some have Non-Heat
rated plastics which can off-gas noxious deadly poisions like
dioxin, etc. when hot
Ozone gas can oxidize away
the epoxy resin and produce "prickly" fiberglass which
can be dangerous and require filing down periodically. Breathing
oxidized epoxy is toxic.
Not appropriate for Low Level
Hyperthermia Therapy (LLHT) since sitting is absolutely contraindicated
for Hyperthermia
Maintenance or repair can
be expensive due to shipping & lack of repair centers in
the US
Cabinet Styles are Bulky
& Heavy; Not portable; Requires aa dedicated space.
Cabinet Styles can cost around
$3500-8000 depending on the model and features
Inexpensive Molded Plastiic
Dome Styles are one-size-fits-all and have poor quality wiring
and heaters are carbon fabric which doesn't last and isn't ozone
compatible. They're usually carbon felt. Typically don't have
enough power to heat sufficiently. Non-heat rated plastics.
Difficult to ship for repairs.
On site repairs not available in general.
2. FABRIC TENT STYLES
Sitting on a Stool. TYPICALLY PVC OR OTHER COATED FABRICS LIKE
NYLON OR POLYESTER. "DISPOSABLE"
These tents are steam tents
usually originally from Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China and
Taiwan and are typically made of non-heat-rated chemically treated
fabrics which are not designed to withstand the high oxidative
stress of ozone. They are for PERIODIC USE. They consist of a
inexpensive fabrics (nylons, polyesters) lined or unlined, sometimes
bonded with rubber or plastics like PVC (Outdoor umbrella fabric,
etc.) They're designed for use with steam heat or far infrared
heater panels. Coatings and plastics oxidize away with ozone
and heating them can produce noxious gases and carcinogenic byproducts
like Dioxin. The tent is placed around a plastic or metal frame
and a backless stool is set in the middle which the person sits
on, zips it up and sweats. Most provide holes for the hands and
arms to be out to allow movement, etc. Digital controllers are
attached to the side on the top. FAR INFRARED PANELS ARE TOO
FAR AWAY FROM THE BODY TO CREATE A DEEP ENOUGH SWEAT. Plancks
Law States that the closer the source with FIR energy, the better
the penetration of energy to vibrate the cells & create heat
from the Inside >> Out.
Within this category,
there are several designs out there currently:
1.Steam Heat: No far infrared. Available with or
without ozone compatibility. (there dozens on the Internet...private
labels of the same products all over the place !)
2.Far Infrared Dry Heat with or without convection blowers.
Convection style heaters dry out the skin rapidly and the thin
mineral coating wears off, requiring replacement. FIR heater
panels need to be within 2-4" of the skin surface to get
good penetration. Many have heat panels too far away for deep
sebaceous sweating.
3."Ozone Compatible"
Far Infrared Dry Saunas:
I have never seen a truly Ozone compatible tent style FIR unit
despite claims to the contrary. Units need to be engineered specifically
to withstand the corrosive effects of quality ozone. Some are
selling fish tank and water purification UV ozone air fed generators
or inexpensive corona units to go with their sauna tents claiming
to give the same benefits as higher quality ozone devices designed
to be oxygen fed which produces stronger ozone concentrations
which is what all the studies have been done on. Because they
are not using "dried" air for their source, the units
will corrode in less than a year and require replacement. Moisture
in the air will ruin them. Oxygen fed systems already have had
the air/gas "dried" and there is no danger of corrosion
and you get better quality ozone. ALL OZONE COMPLIANT SAUNAS
REQUIRE THE SEPARATE PURCHASE OF AN OZONE GENERATOR. THEY ARE
NOT BUILT INTO THE SAUNAS. We recommend a generator that has
an air drier to avoid ruining the inner components from moisture
collection and rusting. The other option is to use 100% pure
oxygen gas as the source for ozone generation like welding 02.
Benefits:
Smaller sized units which
provide close to the body heaters using true FIR and which use
quality appropriate fabrics are inexpensive and lighter weight
and compact. Look for bullet proof nylon or ripstop nylon which
is uncoated or coated with silicone not PVC. It is useful for
travel. A good option for the healthy individual with a very
limited budget who may be able to withstand any potential off
gas effects and just wants the benefit of FIR sweat. (we recommend
using with ozone/uv generator air purifier). Not recommended
for ill people who are chemically sensitive or have impaired
circulation or bad vascular permeability (edema in lower extremities).
Lowest Cost Option short
of sewing up your own !
Easily stored in a box under
the bed!
There are many resellers
now which means more return and exchange or refund options. Note:
it is not legal in most states in the US for resellers to resell
a used sauna due to health dept. regulations so many will only
provide an exchange but no refunds and then only if the unit
is returned unopened.
Drawbacks:
Mass Produced units from
Asia are using inexpensive and potentially toxic fabrics which
are non-heat rated. Many fabrics from China are sprayed with
toxic chemicals as texturizers and finishers which come off with
heat and one could end up breathing it.
Too much plastic & plastics
in contact with the heaters. Potential noxious chemicals can
be oxidized and offset by ozone if it is strong enough and done
properly; however if weak ozone is being used up in sterilization
and deactivation of noxious chemicals, it won't be available
for health benefits, so its a mute point (i.e. UV generators)
Varying sizes. Too large
means sitting too far from the heat source and this is the main
issue with Far Infrared penetration...the closer the deeper the
penetration.
Some produce very uneven
heat; too hot or too cool.
Some use mixed infrared rather
than 100% far infrared to heat up faster (surfaces heat faster
with shorter wavelengths)
No independent lab cert.
to prove wavelengths of their heating elements.
Sitting down instead of laying:
to take a sauna is not a natural way to do it...lying down is
far better and Nature's way...when you have a fever, the inclination
is to go lay down, for every mammal God made! It is easier on
the heart, circulatory & lymphatic systems
Non-ozone compatible wiring
or heaters. Use of ozone can damage the unit and void the warranty.
Only to be used by healthy
individuals and not appropriate for Low Level Hyperthermia Therapy
(LLHT) for clinical therapeutics
Digital controllers are notoriously
unstable and break easily.
Quality control can be an
issue--Many Asian manufacturers don't use fiberglass or plastic
control boards but cardboard. Chips can go bad too.
Use of ozone in a non-ozone
designed unit will typically void the warranty if there is one
Electronic quality control
problems...buy spare controllers!
Tents using Mineralized Infrared
BLOWING Heaters are short lived. Pulsing required to prevent
burning up of the heat element doesn't allow for even consistent
heating.
Caution: several companies importing these
saunas from Asia have large orders to place and maintain inventories
and usually are set up for the high % of exchanges, repairs and
returns they will have to deal with just because of sheer volume
due to lower price point. Check to find out return, exchange
and refund policies. Many on-line stores don't stock themselves
but call the fulfillment center and have it drop shipped without
ever checking to make sure everything is working, etc. Get the
return / repair policy in writing.
3. WOODEN BOX-STYLE SAUNA
/ FINNISH STYLE: Sitting
inside rebreathing own hot sweat... potentially dangerous !
Far Infrared or Mixed Infrared
units (some just say "infrared"...be sure to define
which kind of infrared...midwave gets too hot ! ). These multi
person dry heat saunas typically are designed for use by more
than one person. Design
limitations make them impossible to make ozone compatible since
the head is inside, creating potential for rebreathing sweat
and getting a lung infection like Legionaires. These designs tend to culture mold and bacterium in
the wood; treated woods use toxic chemicals which good manufacturers
won't use. These are appropriate for healthy individuals only
who only use it within direct family members, never for a clinic
where complex infectious diseases are treated. Can typically
only do up to 20 min. before breathing is uncomfortable. CANNOT
be used for Hyperthermia therapy.
Benefits:
Depending on the model design
and heaters used, it can produce a good general sweat if FIR
heaters are used with correct ventilation
Wooden box styles can accommodate
multiple people (although I never understood why someone would
want to breathe another person's sweat ! ?).
Drawbacks
Sitting while heating is
very hard on the cardiovascular & lymph systems & potentially
produces clots & embolous
Head has to be inside which
means rebreathing sweat from self and others leading to potential
for lung infections like Legionaire's. No fresh oxygen
Heavy, bulky, prone to culture
mold & bacteria in the wood
Not designed to be ozone
compatible; use of ozone is inappropriate
Expensive to buy and ship
Can't be tolerated long enough
to get a real detox sebaceous sweat going. Superficial sweat
only.
Some models use ceramic heaters
which can crack over time and need replacing.
Wood is a great substrate
to breed molds and bacteria...disinfection is impossible.
Treated woods are toxic and
potentially contain carcinogenic chemicals which can off-gas
when heated (formaldehyde, benzene, tolulene, etc.)
4. SINGLE PERSON DOME
STYLE (SUPINE w/ Head Out Style) -- This is what our BioSpectra
is...
Dry Far Infrared Supine Saunas
(Lying down with head out...typically the outside is covered
in vinyl or faux leather)
Originated in Korea over
30 years ago and spread to the rest of Asia. All models currently
made in Asia and imported into the US. Multiple brands...
Depending on the model and
heaters used, it can produce a good sebaceous (fat) detox sweat
if FIR heaters are used combined w/enough power.
Portable & Easy Storage
compared to a box wooden style
Look nice; more sturdy than
softsides or tents
More portable than wooden
box style
Widely priced...low end $1800
to $4000 on the high end depending on the system and quality
and whether they're built for ozone or not.
Tend to last a long time
since there isn't complicated electronics built into the units.
Easily disinfected with ozone
gas.
Quick heating--generally
5-10 min.
Analogue controllers are
better than digital (ours are analogue) which don't last long
and need replacement. Good idea to get an extra when ordering.
Drawbacks
Some units are mass-produced
in China or Taiwan using inexpensive poor quality or toxic components
for the mass sauna market and are not designed for the rigors
of a professional environment or to be used for many hours in
a spa or massage center. Extra controllers are recommended to
purchase to avoid high shipping fees later on and being without
use of the sauna should the controller break.
Materials & Quality control
can be an issue, especially with controllers which tend to break
easily (some use cardboard instead of fiberglass or plastic boards)
Some require shipment back
to the foreign factory by the customer for repair or replacement.
Many companies selling these
units on the Internet are simply having them drop shipped directly
from a warehouse without testing first or warning of toxic off
gas some emit.
Some contain plastics and
off-gassing chemicals from inexpensive wood & latex adhesives
which disintegrate with expansion and contraction
Wiring or adhesives are not
heat rated or ozone compliant
Some models have not been
adapted for the US market and are designed for Asians who are
smaller than Americans, making them a tight fit.
Some emit mid-wave infrared
mix which heats the surface up fast but you can't stay long enough
to heat up the core body temps (think of cooking a steak!)
Most are NOT designed to
be ozone compatible since they they don't use the proper components
required to resist ozone with regular use of ozone, which over
time causes damage and can void the warranty since ozone gas
can destroy the electronics and glues. Most are fine if you're
not using ozone with it.
Most 2-piece domes don't
include active heatpads to provide 360 degree coverage but require
flipping over to heat backside. A separate heat pad can add between
$1000-$1200 to the cost
NOTE: Most state health departments prohibit
the resale of used saunas (like mattresses) by manufacturers
due to potential spread of infectious disease. Don't ever buy
a "used" sauna, ESPECIALLY WOODEN BOX STYLE, since
you don't know what kind of microbes have been inside which you
or your loved ones could breathe in and get sick from (saunas
with ozone ability reduces this potential hazzard since ozone
is a premium disinfectant).
Important Notes on Plastics:
Some research shows
that when you heat plastics there is varying % of breakdown at
various temperatures (although official industry sources will
say you need to get to 700 degrees for "significant"
danger to occur, some believe plastics have a continual of break
down even at low temps...). These chemicals are what we're trying
to detoxify the body from by doing a fat sweat...you don't want
to be putting toxins in while trying to get them out...! While
I believe that the plastics in food thing is over blown and internet
myth to a degree, I think it can't hurt to be more judicious
with the use of plastics in our world since we know these chemicals
are pollutants in the air and water and some will never be removed!
Just on principle, I'm against non heat-rated plastics used in
bag & tent saunas, molded plastic saunas, etc.
"PVC,
is by far the most dangerous of plastic resins and has been widely
connected to cancer and other health disorders resulting from
dioxin poisoning: Dioxin is the common name for a class of 75
chemicals. Dioxin has no commercial use. It is a toxic waste
product formed when waste containing chlorine is burnt (trash
burning is a major source!) or when products containing chlorine
are manufactured. PVC plastic is a major source of chlorine..."
Some Important Notes: Far Infrared Light Energy penetratess more deeply
into tissues, producing heat indirectly by vibration of water
molecules around the cells . From a detoxification standpoint,
the whole goal is to heat up the core temperature, liquefy the
bodily fluids including fatty tissue (sebaceous), so that fat-soluble
toxins can be excreted and neutralized. Steam saunas cannot accomplish this
since they don't have far infrared energy to penetrate sufficiently.
Far Infrared Energy is the best vehicle and the method most studied
over the centuries...
So for our purposes, Here is our Criteria
for a Good Ozone Far Infrared Sauna System
1. Supine Dome Style is Best. Lying down
is the best position for taking a sauna since it is easiest on
the heart and the body's natural way of heating up and limiting
potential for clotting or edema from bending limbs. Bending your
legs impedes circulation and blocks lymph fluid movement and
can cause clots to form or break loose.
2. Must use 100% solid Carbon Far Infrared
heaters which has a 3rd party lab certificate from a reputable
lab proving the wavelength emittance (not mixed mid-infrared
wave which can burn the skin before the core heats up)
3. Must be able to get close to the heaters
(within 2-3") (Plancks' Law states that Far Infrared Energy
penetration is totally dependent on the distance from the source
of the heat...the farther from the source, the lower the penetration).
A sauna with true Far Infrared heaters on a wall which is too
far from the body is not going to penetrate well. The closer
the heat source the better penetration when using Far Infrared
Light Energy. Lightwave Based FIR can penetrate much deeper...
3. Material that the heaters are made of
and any fabric which covers them must be ozone resistant (silicon;
carbon; fiberglass; quartz, etc.)
4. Fabric / Material which the ozone cabinet/tent/dome
is made out of must be ozone resistant & heat rated materials.
Fire resistant & UL Certified if possible.
5. Any glues or adhesives used must be heat
certified and be ozone resistant which means the saunas need
to be built from the ground up for ozone use
6. Ozone can be made by generators which
use dried air or oxygen fed. I prefer oxygen fed to reduce potential
for corrosion of internal components, excess nitrous oxide byproducts
produced by non-dried air fed units. Preferably no glues are
used. With ozone generator, If you get an dried airfed machine
with a good corona discharge generator unit, it should never
be more than $800.000-1000 if it is putting out less than 500
mg./hr. (air fed units have to only use Dried Air as opposed
to just room air, to avoid rusting out the interior components
from the moisture in the air).
7. Ozone generator technologies which are
available:
UV light tubes
(very low levels of ozone since the gas in the tubes age and
therefore they aren't as strong and therefore the ozone output
reduces over time with the strength of the UV tube...typically
1/10th or less what a corona unit will produce...)
Ceramic Plate Technology (primarily used in air purification, not water, since
plates crack and limits to the amount of ozone production--air
passes over an electrified ceramic plate producing ozone as a
result...plates crack and ozone production is not designed for
sauna application although it could be adapted if the unit was
designed well...)
Cold Corona Discharge: Metal or glass tubes or dielectrics coils are used
to pass air or oxygen through and contact of the oxygen with
the electric field produces ozone. The amount and speed of the
electrical pulsations also can determine the ozone strength.
Plasma Field Technology: These are plasma tubes filled with noble gases like
Krypton (radioactive) and Xenon. The electrified glass interacts
with the air or oxygen flowing across the field, turning it into
ozone or ozone. Like UV tubes, plasma tubes strength diminishes
over time and can be ruined by touching with the oils of the
hands. It's fine technology as long as the customer is informed
of this tendency and takes the cost of replacement tubes into
the cost equasion. Plasma tubes can be very expsensive depending
on the manufacturer. Ask what the hourly rating is guaranteed
for.
I prefer cold corona discharge oxygen-fed
for consistent production. It is reliable, stable and long lasting.
I have cold corona discharge glass tubes working in ozone generators
we manufactured back in the 1980s and early 1990s which our analysis
equipment says is still putting out what they did when they were
new. If you're going to buy an ozone generator, generally buying
"up" is recommended if the unit is going to be used
for multiple uses, such as having a 10-step frequency modulator
in addition to the 02 flow regulator. You should also be able
to get an output chart and have multiple strength selections
if possible also.
This is just a general overview. I hope it
is helpful for those trying to make decisions. Each individual's
needs are different. This is just to help take some of the
confusion out of the decision. I am coming
from a medical professional perspective and so my criteria may
not be what many needed but I thought it may be of some help.
Feel free to call my office
to discuss questions. I'll be glad to help if I have the time
or we can schedule a time if it won't work then. 909-338-3533,
8-3 PST M-F, Sat. 10-2. Closed Sundays.
"PVC,
is by far the most dangerous of plastic resins and has been widely
connected to cancer and other health disorders resulting from
dioxin poisoning: Dioxin is the common name for a class of 75
chemicals. Dioxin has no commercial use. It is a toxic waste
product formed when waste containing chlorine is burnt (trash
burning is a major source!) or when products containing chlorine
are manufactured. PVC plastic is a major source of chlorine..."