What are Far-Infrared Textiles?

Infrared - adj. Physics, having a wavelength greater than that of visible red light, and radiating heat.

Infrared (IR) light lies between the visible and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared light has a range of wavelengths, just like visible light has wavelengths that range from red light to violet. IR is divided into different bands. "Near Infrared"/N-IR/NIR is closest in wavelength to visible light, “Mid Infrared”/M-IR/MIR, and "Far Infrared"/F-IR/FIR is closer to the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Clinical studies have shown that impaired microcirculation causes various types of diseases and symptoms such as Raynaud’s syndrome, cardiovascular health problems, and so forth. They could be in/directly associated with disorders in the microcirculation system. In other words, these diseases would be potentially treated or managed by enhancing/increasing the microcirculation system in your body.

Unlike ultraviolet light - which has damaging effects upon the tissues and cells of the body - infrared light helps cells regenerate or repair themselves. IR also improves the circulation of oxygen-rich blood in the body, promoting faster healing of deep tissues and relieving pain.

Far infrared therapy is safe and produced by different sources like infrared saunas, infrared medical devices, infrared emitting lamps, and infrared textiles. Far infrared textiles offer a unique way to deliver this therapy for continuous use.

The Next Generation of Functional Textiles

Far Infrared (FIR) textiles are a new category of functional textiles that have putative health and wellbeing functionality. The fabric is made with ceramic nanoparticles (infused or coated) that absorb energy (heat) from the human body or sunlight (invisible light) releasing/radiating this energy back onto the body at specific wavelengths. Researchers have shown a far infrared ray of 8 – 12 μm wavelength.

The underpinning targeted benefit of IR textiles is the enhancement of blood circulation. More circulation means more oxygen, more recovery, and less pain, allowing you to do more of the things you want to do.

FIR isn’t visible to the human eye as it is mentioned above, but we feel it as radiant warmth (don’t get confused with red light therapy, which is visible to the human eye). That can help joints and muscles fight stiffness, soreness and swelling caused by aging, injury, arthritis, or other health conditions.

Far Infrared textiles/fabrics/materials can promote blood circulation and increase oxygen levels in the blood. The additional energy generated can have many positive effects on the body, such as performance enhancement and prevention of premature fatigue, as well as improved tissue and muscle regeneration. It can also be beneficial to those with arthritis and stiff muscles, Raynaud’s syndrome and injuries or aging related conditions. These textiles are created to offer a pleasant warming sensation to the skin, not burning or irritations.

How infrared rays are activated by a textile material

The safe and effective infrared rays are activated usually by the body heat/energy, since it is at a significantly higher temperature than the surrounding air, an extra layer, or by a warm environment (i.e., sunlight). Your body’s natural heat ignites these tiny particles (bio-ceramics/minerals) of the fabric and boom, it produces safe and effective infrared energy, which is absorbed (released back) into your body. This “recycled” energy expands your capillaries, which improves circulation and speeds healing and tissue regeneration. The result is less pain, less stiffness and reduced swelling.

This infrared technology has been used in many textile products, like underwear, knee and arm sleeves/pads, neck, stomach, and back pads, gloves, socks, and cushions. There is a wide utilisation in activewear, sportswear, sleepwear, medicine, and physiotherapy for a long time for the treatment/relief of a variety of pathologies and disabling conditions.

Our infrared textile as gloves, socks, and body supports can help ease your pain and make life's everyday tasks feel a little easier. When your hands, arms, legs, or feet are swollen and uncomfortable, supportive gloves, socks or compression sleeves can help improve circulation and soothe tired, aching joints.

Final takeaway

With the improvement of people's living standards, far-infrared textiles with health care functions are more and more popular. By embedding bio-ceramics/minerals within the fabric, these innovative textiles/garments have the capacity to interact with the body’s physiological functions at rest and during exercise. Textiles can absorb body-emitted heat energy, and then re-emit it through safe warm radiation (within the FIR wavelength range) back to the body. The main action mechanisms of FIR-emitting textiles would be an alteration of the body’s thermoregulatory and haemodynamic response while in contact with the skin.

Far-infrared textiles are genuinely designed to give you support and pain relief where you need it, as long as you need it, and when you need it most.