A fulfilling sauna session goes way beyond just getting into the sauna and sweating. Read through this how-to guide to maximize your satisfaction from a steamy session in an infrared sauna by finding out the best way to dress for the session, what temperatures to set, and how long to stay in for.
Before the Sauna
Clean, rinse, exfoliate! This rule of thumb is specifically necessary to follow if you plan to go in for a collective sauna session. Get rid of any dirt or body odors before you step into the infrared sauna and use a loofah or dry brush to remove the dead skin, in order to unclog your pores, and sweat and detoxify better. While it is always better to dress as little as possible to let your body take maximum advantage of the infrared radiation, go through the regulations or ask other users, before deciding to go in nude. Loose clothing, cotton tops and bathing suits are all sauna-friendly garments that allow the body to sweat and detoxify.
A glass of water or sugar free juice replenishes the body and prepares it to bear the high temperatures of the sauna. Hydrate your body well before the infrared rays penetrate the skin to heat it up and induce sweating.
A great advantage of infrared saunas is that they directly radiate your skin to heat it up quickly at lower temperatures. For the novice, start your infrared sauna sessions at 125 degrees and aim to increase the temperature by 5 degrees at every succeeding session.
During the Sauna
As you are heating up in the infrared sauna, listen to your body and then determine how long to stay in. Although an ideal infrared sauna session may last for thirty minutes, you may not start sweating until ten minutes into the session, or if it is your first infrared sauna experience you may feel uncomfortable or short of breath for a while. If this happens, cut the session short, get into a cool shower, or hold the sauna door open for a while. Your body will adapt and enable itself to tolerate longer sessions with time.
A very healthy tip to follow during the sauna session is to take a bottle of water with you to prevent dehydration from excessive sweating. However, make sure to avoid any spillage that could damage the equipment. As the infrared light infiltrates your skin you may taste old medication in your throat which is an indication of chemical toxins from old medicines being flushed out of the body.
Owing to its radiating nature, it is integral that children are not taken into the infrared saunas and pregnant women consult their physicians before heading to a session.
Aftercare
An infrared sauna opens the skin pores and induces sweating to wash out the toxins and wastes from the body. It is important to take a shower immediately after the session to remove the secreted toxins and sweat from the skin. Try avoiding the use of soap during the shower. Avoid any lotions, masks or body rubs to prevent the pores from clogging, and towards the end of the shower, take a thorough cold water rinse to close up your pores.
Sauna is a relaxation therapy. Savor the peaceful feeling for a while and have a reinvigorating drink to restore the body's hydration before getting back to your routine chores!
Before the Sauna
Clean, rinse, exfoliate! This rule of thumb is specifically necessary to follow if you plan to go in for a collective sauna session. Get rid of any dirt or body odors before you step into the infrared sauna and use a loofah or dry brush to remove the dead skin, in order to unclog your pores, and sweat and detoxify better. While it is always better to dress as little as possible to let your body take maximum advantage of the infrared radiation, go through the regulations or ask other users, before deciding to go in nude. Loose clothing, cotton tops and bathing suits are all sauna-friendly garments that allow the body to sweat and detoxify.
A glass of water or sugar free juice replenishes the body and prepares it to bear the high temperatures of the sauna. Hydrate your body well before the infrared rays penetrate the skin to heat it up and induce sweating.
A great advantage of infrared saunas is that they directly radiate your skin to heat it up quickly at lower temperatures. For the novice, start your infrared sauna sessions at 125 degrees and aim to increase the temperature by 5 degrees at every succeeding session.
During the Sauna
As you are heating up in the infrared sauna, listen to your body and then determine how long to stay in. Although an ideal infrared sauna session may last for thirty minutes, you may not start sweating until ten minutes into the session, or if it is your first infrared sauna experience you may feel uncomfortable or short of breath for a while. If this happens, cut the session short, get into a cool shower, or hold the sauna door open for a while. Your body will adapt and enable itself to tolerate longer sessions with time.
A very healthy tip to follow during the sauna session is to take a bottle of water with you to prevent dehydration from excessive sweating. However, make sure to avoid any spillage that could damage the equipment. As the infrared light infiltrates your skin you may taste old medication in your throat which is an indication of chemical toxins from old medicines being flushed out of the body.
Owing to its radiating nature, it is integral that children are not taken into the infrared saunas and pregnant women consult their physicians before heading to a session.
Aftercare
An infrared sauna opens the skin pores and induces sweating to wash out the toxins and wastes from the body. It is important to take a shower immediately after the session to remove the secreted toxins and sweat from the skin. Try avoiding the use of soap during the shower. Avoid any lotions, masks or body rubs to prevent the pores from clogging, and towards the end of the shower, take a thorough cold water rinse to close up your pores.
Sauna is a relaxation therapy. Savor the peaceful feeling for a while and have a reinvigorating drink to restore the body's hydration before getting back to your routine chores!