The world gets busier and busier by the minute. Between pursuing a career or studies, spending time with loved ones, and exploring hobbies and interests, it’s easy to get caught up in life’s everyday hustle and bustle. This is why self-care has never been more important. Thankfully, you can look after yourself in several ways, like regularly exercising or finding activities that help you feel relaxed and rejuvenated. At Fresh Treatments, the latter is what we specialise in.
One of the most popular treatments we have is our infrared sauna. As the name suggests, it’s a sauna that uses infrared lamps, unlike traditional saunas that rely on steam from hot rocks or an electrical heater.
Want to know more about infrared saunas and how they work? Then you’ve come to the right place! Here’s a quick guide of everything you need to know, along with how we provide safe, soothing, and affordable infrared sauna sessions in Melbourne.
What is an infrared sauna?
To understand how our infrared sauna works, it’s first important to know how it differs from a traditional sauna. They ultimately have the same goal – to make you sweat and help your body detox – but there are key differences between them.
If you’ve ever tried a traditional sauna, it means you’ve experienced being in a room that likely used a wood-burning stove or an electric heater as its heat source. This type of sauna often has a higher temperature, anywhere between 70°C and 90°C, meaning it’s best to use in short intervals. The steam from a traditional sauna also creates a lot of humidity because it heats the air around you.
On the other hand, our infrared sauna heats your body directly using infrared lamps. The temperature inside typically ranges between 45°C and 65°C, providing a lower, more tolerable level of heat compared to traditional saunas. Once inside, you’ll also notice how it’s less humid, which makes it easier to breathe because the air doesn’t feel heavy.
Overall, the infrared sauna is the perfect choice if you want to experience amazing benefits without sacrificing your comfort or experiencing excessive heat.
How exactly does an infrared sauna work?
Now that you know the basics of what an infrared sauna is, it’s time to dive deep into how exactly it provides heat to your body.
Our sauna uses solo carbon technology to emit three types of infrared light: Near-infrared (NIR), mid-infrared (MIR), and far-infrared (FIR). Each of these target specific layers of your body to promote relaxation and detoxification. Aside from this, our infrared sauna in Melbourne also penetrates up to 1.5 inches into your skin, reaching muscles and joints directly. This deep warmth activates sweating and circulation in your body, all without drastically raising the air temperature.
Are infrared saunas safe?
Knowing that infrared saunas use electromagnetic waves to heat your body might seem intimidating, but don’t worry – they are completely safe when used correctly. In fact, medical practitioners also use infrared light in a number of procedures, such as helping wounds heal and improving patients’ skin.
Still, it’s always best to consult with your doctor if you’re pregnant or prone to dehydration. Of course, using an infrared sauna isn’t advisable either when you’re feeling ill. It’s best to wait for your body to recover before booking your session. In general however, you have nothing to worry about when you step into an infrared sauna.
The benefits of an infrared sauna
Now that you know all about the features of an infrared sauna, it’s time to discover what benefits it can provide.
Infrared saunas go deeper than giving you a relaxed and rejuvenated feeling. In fact, each of the three types of infrared light our sauna emits has a specific benefit.
Near-infrared light focuses on promoting skin health. It targets your skin’s surface, which ultimately helps in improving its texture and elasticity.
Mid-infrared light penetrates deeper than the near-infrared light, being able to reach your soft tissues and muscles. This is one of the reasons that infrared saunas can be especially beneficial if you have an active lifestyle, or if you play any sports. It can help relieve stiffness and joint discomfort, as well as support muscle recovery.
The last type of light, far-infrared, reaches deep into your body. It effectively helps you work up a sweat, and can even increase local circulation in some cases. Research also suggests that using an infrared sauna for one session can produce a similar physical response as going for a moderately-paced walk.
Our sauna’s advanced three-in-one infrared technology helps provide all of these benefits, but it doesn’t stop there – it’s also equipped with red light therapy. Red light therapy is known to help reduce inflammation, improve the appearance of wrinkles, and boost the production of collagen.
The pros of using our infrared sauna go beyond just your physical health. For one, its heat promotes the release of endorphins, or hormones associated with improving your mood, reducing stress, and enhancing your overall well-being. It’s also one way to take a break from your usual schedule, and to calm your body and mind for a few minutes. Ultimately, using an infrared sauna supports holistic wellness by nurturing both your body and mind. This way, you can feel rejuvenated inside and out.
All about your infrared sauna session
Now that you have a clearer picture of what an infrared sauna is and how it works, along with its key benefits, it’s time to learn about some best practices you should keep in mind as you go through the experience.
Before the session
Make sure you’re well hydrated, especially since you’re going to be sweating a lot. This is one of the most crucial steps to having an enjoyable session, so don’t forget it!
Avoid eating a heavy meal close to the time of your session. As a rule of thumb, eat an hour or two before you get into the sauna.
Don’t book an infrared sauna session if you’re feeling unwell. If you have pre-existing conditions, consult with your doctor first to see if trying an infrared sauna is something your body can handle.
Pack a change of clothes. This includes what you’re going to wear inside the sauna, and what you plan to wear after.
Remove any makeup or jewelry before your session to allow your skin to experience the full benefits of the sauna.
Try your best to arrive at least 10-15 minutes before your time slot. This will give you ample time to prepare, change, and ask any questions you have about our infrared sauna.
During the session
Wear sauna-appropriate attire, meaning either a swimsuit or loose, cotton clothing.
Bring a towel inside if necessary. Depending on your preference, or if the sauna bench feels hot, you can opt to sit on a towel to make things more comfortable with you.
Don’t hesitate to step out of the sauna if you feel lightheaded, anxious, or uncomfortable at any point. Our staff would be happy to assist you with anything you need.
Use your time in the sauna to calm your mind. Embrace the experience to fully enjoy it!
After the session
Take a few minutes to cool down once your session is done.
Relax for around 10-15 minutes, and then you can shower and freshen up afterwards.
Hydrate! Your body experiences water loss from every session, so make sure you drink enough water afterwards to avoid dehydration.
Don’t jump into a strenuous activity right after your session. Instead, choose to do some light stretching if you can.
If you feel hungry after your session, replenish your energy by opting to have a nutritious balanced meal.
The best infrared sauna in Melbourne
You’re now equipped with all the information you need about infrared saunas. The only thing left to do now is to book your session at Fresh Treatments, one of Melbourne’s most highly-rated wellness centers.
Treat yourself to a relaxing pamper session, or bring some loved ones to experience the holistic benefits of an infrared sauna together. Our sauna comfortably fits up to three people, making it perfect for a family bonding activity or a girl’s day out.
Every detail of our sauna has your relaxation in mind, from its eucalyptus wood that minimises external noise, to an intuitive control panel that offers six preset wellness programs that can cater to different needs. Once you get into our infrared sauna, the goal is for you to feel fresh, reinvigorated, and at ease every step of the way.
So, what are you waiting for? Book an infrared sauna session today to soak up all its amazing benefits each session. Make an appointment online, or call us at (03) 9387 0670. We’re open from Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 6PM.
