Infrared is widely known as heat radiation. But not all infrared is of the same kind. Depending on the wavelength, infrared radiation has very different effects. Therefore, information on the wavelength range is absolutely necessary, as certain parts of the spectrum provide a considerable therapeutic potential. Infrared radiation is invisible and historically divided into A, B and C.

Infrared-A 780 nm - 1400 nm
Infrared-B 1400 nm - 3000 nm
Infrared-C 3000 nm - 1 mm

The skin contains a lot of water forming a barrier for infrared-B and infrared-C by absorption of this energy through the water molecules in the most superficial human skin layers. Infrared-B can only partially penetrate the skin and infrared-C cannot. This barrier in turn leads to massive heat stress on the superficial layers of the skin due to the heat energy absorbed. In contrast, a large amount of infrared-A can penetrate the skin surface to deeper tissue layers (and some small amounts of infrared-B). The hydrosun® radiator can produce therapeutically deep-acting infrared-A radiation while excluding those radiation components (B and C) that would otherwise harm the skin. This can also be referred to as medical infrared.

The abbreviation wIRA stands for water-filtered infrared-A (590-1400nm). From the basically well-tolerated infrared-A spectrum, the three skin-harming absorption bands at 944 nm, 1180 nm and 1380 nm are additionally filtered out. Thus the patented filter cuvette only allows the deep-acting wIRA to pass through.

wIRA heats tissue down to deeper layers and is gentle on the skin. It improves the blood circulation, increases the partial pressure of oxygen in the tissue and reduces muscle tone. In many cases, wIRA provides relief for pain. The application is useful wherever heat helps and relieves.

Classic indications of heat therapy:
• Pain syndrome
• Rheumatism, arthrosis, spinal and joint problems
• Muscle tension
• Sinusitis, bronchitis

Special indications of wIRA:
• Wart therapy (verrucae vulgares)
• Leg ulcers
• Hyperthermia
• Promoting healing of surgical scars

wIRA is also indicated in veterinary medicine.

• The treated body part needs to be unclothed and relaxed.
• Keep at least the distance of the distance rod.
• Always wear suitable infrared eye protection when treating the face!
• Never look directly into the light source.

Further information can be found in the "Instructions for use" (e.g. treatment times, contraindications) which will be delivered with the device.

wIRA can be a hazard to the ocular fundus. Therefore, appropriate eye protection must be worn during facial treatment.

In principle, wIRA should only be used for chronic inflammations. Fresh, hot, swollen inflammations, so-called acute inflammations, should rather be cooled.

wIRA is particularly suitable for the treatment of common colds. In the ENT and in bronchitis, very good mucus loosening is achieved.When used on the face, suitable eye protection must be worn.

Our partner Heckel Medizintechnik GmbH distributes the whole-body hyperthermia system heckel-HT3000 from our production with integrated hydrosun® radiators. Thermography-controlled hyperthermia with the hydrosun®TWH1500 also uses wIRA in cancer therapy. Please find further information here: https://www.heckel-hyperthermia.com/index.php/

Despite the generally good tolerability of wIRA, there are also contraindications. Without going into all the contraindications specifically, medical advice should always be consulted before using wIRA, for example, in the case of severe heart failure, high-dose beta blockers intake, massive circulatory disorders, congenital or drug-induced photosensitivity and severe high blood pressure. Detailed information can be found in the user brochure and "Instructions for use", both will be delivered with the device.

Infrared cabins are usually not medical devices and therefore not approved for therapy. They are mainly used for relaxation, wellness and health care. In contrast to special wIRA therapy, the entire body is heated and only unfiltered infrared is used.

Water-filtered infrared-A (wIRA) enables higher intensity of radiation and a therapeutic heating of deeper tissue layers over longer periods of time than conventional red light, but without overheating the skin surface. On skin, unfiltered conventional red light easily leads to overheating, and to stinging and burning sensations. The unique principle of operation involves the use of the hermetically sealed water filter (cuvette) in the radiation path to absorb those infrared wavelengths emitted by unfiltered infrared lamps which would otherwise harm the skin. Hence, wIRA-radiation of hydrosun® devices clearly outclasses conventional, unfiltered infrared in the therapeutic area of classical heat application like chronic inflammations, pain relief or degenerative diseases. Furthermore, it allows for treatments of exclusive indications like wound healing, wart (verrucae vulgares) therapy or oncological hyperthermia which are unsuitable for conventional infrared.

The liquid filter (cuvette) is the core of the hydrosun® radiators. The hydro-filling hermetically enclosed in a cuvette absorbs the skin-damaging wavelengths of infrared radiation, thus creating wIRA. However, this is only possible if the cuvette is completely filled. An insufficiently filled cuvette can lead to overheating and even burns. Carry out a visual inspection of the cuvette regularly. Detailed information can be found in the instruction for use, that will be delivered with the device.

All hydrosun® radiators are medical devices and are therefore subject to certain regulatory requirements. For domestic applications, an approved medical product must comply with the basic safety and essential performance of medical devices for use in the home healthcare environment. (standard EN s60601-1-11). For this reason, the hydrosun®575home is even safer to use. In terms of effect, it corresponds to the other hydrosun® radiators.