INFRARED SAUNAS
for winter workout recovery

If you’re a wellness lover like I am – and I know you are because, well YOU’RE HERE, there is a high chance you’ve heard about infrared sauna treatments. Or, more realistically you’ve seen those red light filled rooms on your Instagram. Either way, I’m sure you’ve wondered, “are these really worth all the hype?” -and hey, you’re not alone!

My first introduction to anything red-light was the one used in my LED Light Facials. For those of you who are facial addicts like me, you’ll know that red light facials are the crème of the crop for giving you that glowy, healed and rejuvenate skin. So, when I heard that there was a version of this for your ENTIRE BODY, with the relaxation of a sauna, you know I ran to it.

Where I ran to was none other than Brisbane’s premier wellness medispa, KAILO. Combining wellness philosophies and treatments, KAILO Medispa offers a unique journey to skin health and lifelong wellness. Here I was treated to a 30-minute Infrared Sauna experience. But before I get into my thoughts…what is an Infrared Sauna?

An infrared sauna is a wooden box equipped with infrared heaters that are designed to detoxify and heal the body, boost mood, and more. Unlike traditional saunas that feature steam or dry heat to warm a room, infrared saunas use infrared heat lamps to raise body temperature directly.

"Infrared heat is very gentle. Many comparing the experience to lying in the sun on a warm day. For a sun obsessed girl, struggling with the winter blues, this fact alone had me hooked."

Unlike traditional (hot rock or steam) saunas, which operate at a base temperature of 90°C, infrared heat has the benefit of being effective at a more comfortable operating temperature of 35°-65°C. This means it’s less likely to interfere with breathing and more likely to be manageable and enjoyed for an entire session’s duration.

Now let’s get into how my sweat session went:

I walk into KAILO Medispa, AND am instantly blown away by its serenity. I’m transported to a place of relaxation... think 70s luxe spa, meets Marrakesh resort. I’m warmly greeted by two lovely KAILO spa therapists who take me on a quick tour of the space and guide me to my Infrared Sauna room.

Inside there is a private shower and bathroom, to rinse off before my session, and a lovely tall vase of water, endless soft towels, and crystals on display to really prompt those healing vibes and get my chakras aligned (that’s the terminology, right?). The girls give me a quick (but thorough) rundown of how the next 30 minutes will play out. In essence- “I’ll be getting really hot, and sweaty” but that’s the whole point!

HOT TIP: Drink plenty of water and get an ample amount of sleep the day before your sweat sesh. This ensures you're less likely to feel lightheaded or be dehydrated during the experience. I would even bring some water into the sauna with you to ensure you stay hydrated and refreshed.

Inside the sauna is an inbuilt speaker with Bluetooth connectivity. This allows you to play your favourite podcast, music, or deep meditative playlist out loud during your session! For a fidgety person like me, this provided the perfect amount of entertainment (or distraction) to transition into maxo relaxo mode - rather than sitting in silence!

HOT TIP: Bring bikinis or wear your birthday suit. To experience the full benefits of the detoxification it’s recommended to go naked or wear minimal clothing when in the sauna. I wore bikinis and was very comfortable and relaxed- LOVED IT!

So, what do I think?

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, short of breath or overheated. What's more, they lend you that flushed, fresh-from-the-steam-room glow that we all strive for.

“I walked out feeling amazing and refreshed – like that feeling of jumping in a pool on a warm summer’s day!”

An infrared sauna session is a very cost-effective way to relax and pamper yourself. KAILO's 30-minute sauna sessions starts at $30, with packages also available. I’ve been booking in for my infrared sauna sweat sesh fortnightly and look forward to it every time! The perfect way to wind down, whilst promoting wellness!

Now, it’s your turn to try!

Simply google ‘infrared saunas near me’ and let google direct you to your closest spot. Or if you are in Brisbane, the lovely team at KAILO are offering you a complimentary infrared sauna session with any treatment. To book please call the KAILO reception team on 07 3252 3225 and mention ‘Lorna Jane’ to enjoy the offer.