Infrared Sauna
Infrared saunas use infrared light to heat the body from within rather than the air from without, as a traditional sauna does. Because of this, saunas are able to operate at a lower temperature, usually about 157 degrees Fahrenheit, as compared with upwards of 200. Light penetrates the skin more deeply than the heat of a traditional sauna, which leads to more sweat, which leads to the release of toxins.
Testimonials
“I really enjoyed my experience at The Salt Spot! The staff was very welcoming and thoroughly explained the infrared sauna and how to use it. The area was very clean and stocked with everything I needed including towels and water. I am excited to return soon.”
— Caroline
“My first time at the salt spot with my husband and the infrared sauna was amazing! We couldn’t believe we got to experience 45 minutes at 144° all while being able to play music through Bluetooth and enjoy provided water, towels & toiletries… it was total bliss. So lucky we have this gem in Oconomowoc.”
— Megan
Our Infrared Sauna
Our infrared sauna at The Salt Spot is a full-spectrum infrared sauna, offering near, mid and far infrared wavelengths.
Near-infrared is the shortest of the three infrareds. It is absorbed just below the surface of the skin, promoting wound healing, cell health/regeneration, and skin revitalization and can mitigate inflammation. Near-infrared has also been shown to help clear up acne lesions, improve fine lines and wrinkles, and encourage collagen synthesis.
Mid-infrared wavelengths are longer than near-infrared wavelengths which allows for greater penetration into soft tissue. Mid-infrared can help with inflammation, pain, decrease overall healing time, and weight loss. Mid-infrared helps expand blood vessels and increases circulation so more oxygen can reach injured areas of the body. This reduces pain and speeds up the healing process.
When used in combination with far infrared waves, mid-infrared effectively stimulates the cardiovascular system and raises body temperature. As the body works to cool itself, heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate increase as they do during exercise. This in turn supports weight loss.
Far infrared is the longest wavelength, penetrating the deepest where toxins and chemicals can be trapped. It can assist with weight loss and increases your heart rate. This increase in BPMs can be equivalent to a mild cardio workout.
In addition, far infrared stimulates vasodilation, which in turn increases blood flow throughout the body. Far infrared can also reduce pain, ease joint stiffness, decrease inflammation and alleviate overall body stress. And of course, powerfully detox you through substantial perspiration.
In conclusion, near, mid, and far infrared waves penetrate the skin, muscles, joints, and tissues to increase circulation, speed oxygen flow, and help rid the body of harmful toxins.
They also help to remove impurities from your cells, specifically the cells inside our fat where our body stores waste and harmful toxins such as cholesterol and heavy metals.
When all 3 wavelengths are inside of the same infrared sauna, you have yourself a symphony of therapeutic energy. We’re thrilled to offer a full-spectrum infrared sauna here at The Salt Spot.
Lastly, our infrared sauna has chromotherapy (color light therapy) and red light therapy. Customers can choose to use both chromotherapy and red light therapy during their sessions at no extra charge. Red light therapy is also available as a separate service.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Benefits of the infrared sauna include:
Lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure over time
Increases heart rate and blood vessels dilate allowing oxygen to enter cells more easily
Promotes sweating which helps the body eliminate toxins
Improves immune system by increasing white blood cells, lymphocytes and neutrophils
Improves mood
Lowers inflammation in the body
Encourages the development of collagen for younger looking skin
Can help with weight loss
Increase sports performance
Quickens recovery period
Provides pain relief for muscles and joints.
Since the sauna heats the body from within, it mimics a fever and kills viruses that are lingering in the body.
Chromotherapy Benefits:
Depending on the color light you choose (colors can be changed multiple times per session) the benefits include: reduced swelling, pain relief, accelerated healing, decreased muscle tension, improved circulation, improved sleep patterns, anti-aging, and helps with seasonal affective disorder.
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Traditional saunas are typically wood-paneled rooms that are equipped with stone-covered electric heaters. The temperature within the room can reach between 160-212 degrees Fahrenheit. The hot air produced by the heaters, heats the body from the outside.
Infrared saunas rely on the infrared spectrum of light to generate heat. Whereas hot air or steam is used to heat the body externally with a traditional sauna, infrared saunas use infrared light to heat the body internally. Infrared saunas operate at much lower temperatures between 100-160 degrees Fahrenheit. Because the infrared is heating the body from the inside out, most people don’t start sweating until half way through their session.
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During your session, you can choose to wear clothes or sit in a towel. Bring a book to read, sit back and relax while your body heats up from the inside out. Bring a friend, spouse or partner and relax together as our sauna can accommodate 2 people comfortably. Water and towels are provided during your session. Other considerations include:
Sauna sessions should be limited to no more than 45 minutes.
Drink plenty of water before, during and after your session.
If you experience pain and/or discomfort, immediately discontinue and exit the sauna.
If you are on any medications, consult with your doctor before using the infrared sauna.
Do not use drugs, tobacco, or alcohol prior to or during the sauna session.
If you have a medical condition or are on any prescription medications, consult with your physician before using the infrared sauna.
Discontinue the use of the sauna if you feel light-headed, dizzy, heat exhausted, or unwell.
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Most people prefer to sauna in nothing more than a towel. Others prefer to wear a bathing suit. Just keep in mind that you will sweat A LOT during your session, so wear clothes that you feel comfortable sweating in. If you prefer to wear your birthday suit, we have towels and wraps that you can use.
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An infrared sauna session is anywhere from 20-45 minutes depending on your body. We always recommend that customers listen to their body. Some customers can sit in the sauna for 45 minutes no problem, while others need to work up to 45 minutes. Each sauna booking is 55 minutes – 45 minutes for the session and 10 minutes to get undressed and dressed.
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Most facilities that offer infrared sauna treatments recommend using the sauna three to four days per week. If you are healthy and tolerate the four days, you can use the sauna daily. But even using the sauna once a week or once a month provides great benefits as well.
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There 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.
If you have any health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart problems, or are under medical care, get cleared by your doctor before your first session. Even though infrared saunas have been found to be fairly safe, you don’t want to take any chances when it comes to your health and safety.
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Those who have the following conditions should exercise caution and/or consult with their doctor before using the infrared sauna:
Medications – Diuretics, barbiturates, and beta-blockers may impair the body’s natural heat loss mechanisms. Anticholinergics such as amitriptyline may inhibit sweating and can predispose individuals to heat rash or to a lesser extent heat stroke. Some over-the-counter drugs, such as antihistamines, may also cause the body to be more prone to heat stroke.
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding – Pregnant women should consult a physician before using an infrared sauna. A doctor’s consent is required. If breastfeeding, do not use the infrared sauna. A detoxification process will produce the expelled toxins into your breast milk.
Menstruation – Heating of the low back area of women during the menstrual period may temporarily increase their menstrual flow.
Elderly – The body must be able to activate its natural cooling processes in order to maintain core body temperature. As we mature, our body naturally lose this capability. Guests over the age of 70 will be permitted for infrared sauna use, however, at a lower temperature.
Children ages 12-17 – The core body temperature of children rises much faster than adults. This occurs due to a higher metabolic rate per body mass, limited circulatory adaptation to increased cardiac demands and the inability to regulate body temperature by sweating. Consult with the child’s Pediatrician before using the sauna. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to use the infrared sauna. Anyone between the ages of 12 and 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Cardiovascular Conditions – Individuals with cardiovascular conditions or problems (hypertension/hypotension), congestive heart failure, impaired coronary circulation or those who are taking medications which might affect blood pressure should exercise caution when exposed to prolonged heat. Heat stress increases cardiac output and blood flow in an effort to transfer internal body heat to the outside environment via the skin (perspiration) and respiratory system. This takes place primarily due to major changes in the heart rate, which has the potential to increase by thirty (30) beats per minute for each degree increase in core body temperatures.
Alcohol/Alcohol Abuse – Contrary to popular belief, it is not advisable to attempt to “sweat out” a hangover. Alcohol intoxication decreases a person’s judgement; therefore, he/she may not realize when the body has a negative reaction to high heat. Alcohol also increases the heart rate, which may be further increased by heat stress. Guests who appear intoxicated or inform us of alcohol consumption prior to use of the sauna will forfeit their scheduled appointment and no refund or credit will be issued.
Chronic Conditions/Diseases Associated with Reduced Ability to Sweat or Perspire – Multiple Sclerosis, Central Nervous System Tumors and Diabetes with Neuropathy are conditions that are associated with impaired sweating.
Hemophiliacs/Individuals Prone to Bleeding – The use of infrared saunas should be avoided by anyone who is predisposed to bleeding.
Fever – An individual who has a fever should not use an infrared sauna until the fever subsides.
Insensitivity to Heat – An individual with insensitivity to heat should not use an infrared sauna.
Joint Injury – If you have a recent (acute) joint injury, it should not be heated for the first 48 hours after an injury or until the swollen symptoms subside. If you have a joint or joints that are chronically hot and swollen, these joints may respond poorly to vigorous heating of any kind.
Implants – Metal pins, rods, artificial joints, or any other surgical implants generally reflect infrared waves and thus are not heated by this system. Nevertheless, you should consult your physician prior to using an infrared sauna.
Pacemakers/ Defibrillators – The magnets used to assemble infrared saunas can interrupt the pacing and inhibit the output of pacemakers. Please discuss with your doctor the possible risks this may cause.
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No, our infrared sauna appointments are private. Only one person can book an appointment at a time.
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Absolutely! There is no need to call or book your spouse/friend online. Just bring them with you to the appointment. There is a $10 additional fee when bringing a guest.
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Yes! You can certainly use either the relaxation salt cave or the family salt room and infrared sauna on the same day. Some people like to salt first and sauna second and others do it the other way around.
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Most insurance companies do not cover the use of an infrared saunas but it’s definitely worth checking with your insurance provider. However, red light therapy is considered a valid expense under your HSA and FSA flexible spending plans, if you choose to use the red light during your sauna session.
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Your appointment is very important to us. Time allocated for an appointment is reserved especially for you. We do understand that sometimes schedule adjustments are necessary; therefore, we respectfully request at least 3-hour notice for adjustments to your appointments and for cancellations. Please understand that when you forget or cancel your appointment without giving enough notice, we miss the opportunity to fill that appointment time and our other clients miss the opportunity to receive services they need.
In the event that we do not receive the required notice for adjustments and cancellations, the following fees will be applied to your credit card or alternatively billed out to you:
• Clients who have more than 1 missed or canceled appointment within 3-hours of their scheduled appointment time during a 1-month period, will be charged a cancellation fee amounting to up to 50% of the cost of the scheduled service for their missed or late canceled visit.
• Clients with memberships who have more than 4 missed or canceled appointments within 3-hours of their scheduled appointment time during a 1-month period, will be charged 50% of the cost of the scheduled service for their missed or late canceled visit.