If like us, you are a lover of anything selfcare and wellness related, there’s a good chance that you have heard about infrared sauna treatments. Or, more recently you may have seen images of them grace your Instagram feed. While many celebrities are getting their sweat on, you might be wondering if infrared saunas are actually worth the hype? As with any treatment we offer at Palm Tree Skin, we have studied the benefits and experienced first-hand the positive effects infrared saunas can have on the body, mood and much more.
Below you will learn what an infrared sauna is and what benefits it can deliver to help you decide if it’s something you personally could benefit from.
WHAT IS AN INFRARED SAUNA?
An infrared sauna uses infrared heaters that are designed to detoxify and heal the body, boost mood, and much more. Unlike traditional saunas that feature steam or dry heat to warm a room, infrared saunas use infrared heat lamps in confined spaces to raise body temperature directly.
Infrared heat is very gentle. The experience is similar to lying in the sun on a warm day and feeling the heat on your body. Unlike traditional (hot rock or steam) saunas—which operate at well in excess of 200°F—infrared heat has the benefit of being effective at a more comfortable operating temperature of 100°-150°F, which is why it’s less likely to interfere with breathing and more likely to be manageable for an entire 60-minute session’s duration.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF OUR INFRARED SAUNA?
- Helps release toxins which you then sweat out
- Brings oxygen and nutrients to the surface of the skin
- Stimulates collagen
- Burns calories
- Relieves pain
- Detoxifies
- Promotes circulation
- Boost’s mood
What Victoria say’s.…
Because infrared heat penetrates human tissue versus simply heating the surface of the skin, our infrared sauna is seven times more effective than traditional saunas at detoxifying the body. “By raising the body’s core temperature, infrared saunas can produce a sweat composed of 20 percent toxins versus only 3 percent toxins with a traditional sauna”.
Since infrared is so effective at shedding toxins, it’s able to assist with myriad bodily concerns, according to Ramirez. “The powerful heat of the infrared lights promote circulation in the body, which can lead to increased metabolism, muscle and joint pain relief, boosted immune system, and, of course, stress and fatigue reduction”.
Beyond heat-induced detoxification, infrared saunas will boost collagen production and mood, especially if we incorporate the chromotherapy light. Best of all, the mood-boosting benefits are immediate—Victoria says that you’ll start to sweat and feel the benefits within the first 10 minutes or so. Though, if you’re aiming to witness a major skin or weight transformation, continued sessions are necessary.
All our infrared sauna treatments come with chromotherapy (or light therapy). “Light therapy is used for specific ailments within the body as well as for mood and allowing more energy to flow to certain chakras”. Chromotherapy utilizes different shades of light for different therapies.
Red
Red is believed to increase the pulse, raise blood pressure and increase the rate of breathing. Red would be applied to support circulatory and nervous functions.
Strong Pink
Strong pink acts as a cleanser, strengthening veins and arteries.
Pink
Pink activates and eliminates impurities in the blood stream.
Orange
Orange is a mixture of red and yellow. Activates and eliminates localized fat. Assists with asthma and bronchitis
Strong Yellow
Strong yellow strengthens the body and activates internal tissues.
Yellow
Yellow, the brightest colour used in chromotherapy, has been used to purify the skin, help with indigestion, strengthen the nervous system, treat glandular diseases, hepatitis and lymphatic disorders and assist metabolism.
Green
Green, a colour associated with harmony, provides a neutral, positive calming effect.
Strong Green
Strong green provides anti-infectious, anti-septic and regenerative stimulation.
Strong Blue
Strong blue lubricates joints, helps address stress, nervous tension and infections.
Blue
Blue promotes relaxation and calm. Blue exhibits tranquilizing qualities often used to relieve headaches and migraines, colds, stress, nervous tension, rheumatism, stomach pains, muscle cramps and liver disorders. Blue is thought to have a positive effect on all kinds of pain.
Indigo
Indigo is used to address conditions involving the eyes, ears and nose. It has a calming, sedative effect.
Violet
Violet is used to calm the nervous system, soothe organs and relax muscles. Violet has meditative qualities and is often used to treat conditions of the lymphatic system and spleen, as well as urinary disorders and psychosis.
How to Prepare for your sweat session with us…
Before attending your sweat session with us, we advise you to drink plenty of water and get an ample amount of sleep the day before your appointment. This ensures you’re less likely to feel faint or get dehydrated during the experience.
You might also want to bring some form of entertainment along, just in case you get bored. If you’re a fidgety person, it helps to have a book or your favourite music on hand, as sitting silently while sweating can make you antsy quick (and I say that knowing first-hand).
What you can expect during your sweat session with us…
Expect to sweat like crazy and feel amazing after. “Though it’s one of the most relaxing ways you can break a sweat and burn calories, the heat can be particularly intense for newbies,” Victoria says. “Also, keep in mind that the purpose of this service is to sweat out toxins, and it’s not uncommon to sweat for up to 30 minutes following your session.”
What to expect following your sweat session with us…
It’s worth noting that it takes some getting used to in order to feel completely comfortable in an infrared sauna. During my first-ever infrared session, while not unbearably hot, I needed to open the door a few times to let a cool breeze in.
After your session, it’s important to continue to hydrate throughout the day, as you’re likely to keep sweating for hours after. Because you may burn up to 600 calories from sitting in a sauna, you might even lose a little bit of water weight—it will likely come back, but this is all the more reason to stay hydrated in the hours after.
Infrared saunas offer one of the most relaxing ways to break a sweat. Unlike traditional steam or stone saunas or even sauna blankets for that matter, infrared treatments are comfortable from start to finish and are less likely to make you feel faint or short of breath. What’s more, they lend you that flushed, fresh-from-the-steam-room glow that we all strive for.
