What can an Infrared Sauna Session do for you? Fit N Tan Salon and Spa has the answers!

Is an Infrared Sauna Better Than a Traditional Sauna?

If you haven't tried a 30 minute Infrared Sauna session at Fit N Tan Salon and Spa, you're missing out. You feel more relaxed and rested after you’re done, the heat helps relieve sore muscles and improves your overall health and well-being, eliminate joint pains, and leave you feeling like a new person. Not to mention the complete body detox that Infrared Sauna's offer. But if the high temperatures of a traditional sauna are just too much for you to handle, or the traditional steam sauna's leave you feeling as if it's hard to breathe and no other benefit other than sweating, an infrared sauna may offer the benefits of a sauna without the extreme heat. Fit n Tan Salon and Spa is proud to be offering this service.

What is an Infrared Sauna?

Unlike a traditional sauna, infrared Saunas don’t heat the air around you. Instead, they use infrared technology to warm your body directly, actually penetrating under the dermis and heating the body internally.

“These saunas use infrared panels instead of conventional heat to easily penetrate human tissue, heating up your body before heating up the air,” explains physical therapist, Vivian Eisenstadt, MAPT, CPT, MASP.

An infrared sauna can operate at a lower temperature (usually between 120˚F and 140˚F) than a traditional sauna, which is typically between 150˚F and 180˚F. Eisenstadt says this environment is more tolerable, which allows you to stay in the sauna longer while increasing your core body temperature.

What are the benefits of using an Infrared Sauna?

The benefits of using an Infrared Sauna are similar to those experienced with a traditional sauna. These include:

better sleep
relaxation
detoxification
weight loss
relief from sore muscles
relief from joint pain such as arthritis
clear and tighter skin
improved circulation
help for people with chronic fatigue syndrome

How do you use an Infrared Sauna?

There are guidelines you can follow, but ultimately, how you choose to use an infrared sauna is up to you. Here are some tips to get you started.

Drink water. Make sure you’re hydrated before going into an infrared sauna. Drink a glass of water before your session. You can also bring water into the sauna, especially if you’re sensitive to higher heats.
Choose the temperature. The average temperature for an infrared sauna ranges from 100˚F to 150˚F, with beginners starting out at the lower end and more experienced users at the higher end. If this is your first time, start with 100˚F. You may want to stay at this temperature for a few sessions. You can always increase the temperature each session until you reach 150˚F.
Length of time. For first-time users, start with 10 to 15 minutes. You can add time each session until you reach the suggested time of 20 to 30 minutes. Saunas come with a timer, so make sure to set it. You don’t want to stay in there too long and risk becoming dehydrated.
Clothing. How you dress is your choice. Some people will wear bathing suits, while others prefer to go in naked.
What you can do while in the sauna. Relax, read, meditate, listen to music, or visit with friends. Just don’t go to sleep.
After the session is over. When your session is done, it’s suggested that you take your time and let your body cool down. Once cooled down, feel free to take a shower or bath. Just make sure you are drinking plenty of water.
Number of sessions per week. Fit N Tan Salon and Spa recommends using the sauna three to four days per week. If you are healthy and tolerate the four days, you can use the sauna daily.

What should you know before you try an Infrared Sauna?

Here are a few things you should know before indulging in your first session.

Avoid using an infrared sauna if you’ve been drinking alcohol.
If you feel ill or have a fever, it’s best to wait to use the sauna until you’re feeling better.
Using an infrared sauna will cause you to sweat a lot, so you may feel lightheaded when you stand up. If this happens, make sure you get up slowly and sit down once you leave the sauna. Drink water immediately after finishing your session and wait for your body to cool down before doing anything else.
In extreme cases, some people may experience overheating (heat stroke and heat exhaustion) or dehydration.