Infrared Saunas
- Independent guide from The Hair & Beauty Directory
About Infrared Saunas
An infrared sauna uses infrared heaters to warm your body directly, rather than heating the surrounding air the way a traditional sauna does. Because of this, the cabin usually feels less intense, often running around 45 to 60 degrees Celsius, while still encouraging a deep, warming sweat. People typically use infrared saunas for relaxation, stress relief, muscle comfort after exercise and a general sense of wellbeing, and many find the gentler heat easier to tolerate than a conventional steam or hot-rock sauna. It is best understood as a complementary, feel-good wellbeing experience rather than a medical treatment. Some early research has looked at heat therapy for conditions such as high blood pressure and muscle recovery, but the evidence is still limited and larger, more rigorous studies are needed before firm health claims can be made. Reputable sources, including the Mayo Clinic, describe infrared saunas as generally low risk for healthy adults while stressing that they are not a substitute for medical care. If you have a health condition or take regular medication, it is sensible to speak to your GP before booking, so you can enjoy the experience safely and with realistic expectations.
On the day, and after
During the treatment
You will usually sit or recline in a warm wooden cabin, often with a light, radio or app to control time and temperature. The heat builds gradually and feels gentler and drier than a traditional sauna, and it can take several minutes before you start to sweat properly. A typical first visit is kept short, often around ten to fifteen minutes, and more experienced users may stay longer, usually up to around thirty to forty minutes depending on comfort and the studio's guidance. You can normally adjust the temperature and session length to suit you, so the intensity is easily tailored. Keep sipping water if allowed, and listen to your body throughout. It is normal to feel warm, flushed and increasingly relaxed. If at any point you feel dizzy, faint, nauseous, short of breath or unusually unwell, step out straight away and cool down. Staff should be nearby and reachable, and you should never feel locked in or unable to leave the cabin whenever you wish.
How it feels
Most people feel a gentle, dry warmth that builds gradually, followed by increasing relaxation and a deep sweat once your body warms through. It is normal to feel flushed, a little sleepy and to notice your heart beating a bit faster, similar to gentle exertion. The heat usually feels milder and easier to breathe in than a traditional steam sauna. Some warmth on the skin and mild thirst are expected. What is not normal is feeling dizzy, faint, sick, breathless or getting a pounding or irregular heartbeat; if any of these occur, step out, cool down and rehydrate. Everyone tolerates heat differently, so build up slowly.
Results and maintenance
The main results are immediate and short-lived: a pleasant sense of relaxation, warmth and eased muscle tension after a session, and for many people better sleep or a lift in mood. These effects are subjective and vary from person to person, and they are not a substitute for exercise, good hydration or medical care. Any dip on the scales straight afterwards is fluid lost through sweat and returns once you rehydrate, so infrared saunas should not be relied on for weight loss. People who enjoy the experience often use it regularly, perhaps once or twice a week, adjusting frequency, length and temperature to what feels comfortable and sustainable for them. There is no need to overdo it, and more is not automatically better. If you are using the sauna to help with a specific health goal, keep your expectations realistic and discuss it with your GP, since the current evidence for lasting health benefits is still limited and evolving.
Before and after your appointment
Before your appointment
Arrive well hydrated and drink a good glass of water before your session, as you will lose fluid through sweating. It helps to avoid a heavy meal immediately beforehand and to steer clear of alcohol, which affects how your body handles heat and can cloud your judgement about when to come out. Wear light, comfortable, breathable clothing or use the towels provided, and remove jewellery and anything likely to trap heat against the skin. Let the studio know in advance about any health conditions, pregnancy or medications, as some can affect how you respond to heat. If you use skincare actives, fake tan or have had a recent waxing or strong exfoliation treatment, mention this too, as freshly treated skin can be more sensitive. Take off contact lenses if the dry warmth bothers your eyes. If you feel unwell, overheated or dehydrated on the day, it is better to rebook. Plan to keep your first session short and see how your body responds before building up.
Aftercare
Come out gradually and give yourself a few minutes to cool down rather than standing up quickly, as this reduces the chance of feeling light-headed. Rehydrate well with water, and some people like a drink containing electrolytes after a longer session to replace what has been lost through sweat. A cool or lukewarm shower helps rinse away sweat and refresh the skin; very hot water straight afterwards is best avoided. Moisturise if your skin feels dry, and dress in loose, comfortable clothing while your body temperature settles. Rest for a little while and avoid strenuous exercise or alcohol immediately afterwards, as both add extra strain when you are already warm and may be mildly dehydrated. Continue drinking water over the next few hours. If you notice lingering headache, dizziness, nausea or any skin irritation, take it as a sign to rest, cool down and, if it persists, seek advice. Spacing sessions out while you learn how your body responds is a sensible approach.
There is generally no downtime with an infrared sauna, and most people feel relaxed and able to carry on with their day. Some feel a little tired, thirsty or light-headed for a short while afterwards, which usually settles with rest, cooling down and rehydrating. It is wise not to plan anything demanding straight after a longer or first session. If you feel faint, develop a persistent headache, feel sick or notice a rapid or irregular heartbeat that does not quickly settle, treat this as a signal to cool down, rest and seek medical advice if it continues or worries you.
Safety and medical considerations
Safety essentials
Infrared saunas are typically low risk for healthy adults, but the main hazards are overheating and dehydration, so sensible limits matter. Keep sessions to a comfortable length, do not exceed the studio's recommended time and temperature, and never use a sauna after drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs, as these impair your ability to judge when to stop. You should always be able to leave the cabin freely and reach a member of staff quickly. Drink water before and after, and come out immediately if you feel dizzy, faint, sick or short of breath. Do not use a sauna if you are feeling unwell or already dehydrated. Children should not use infrared saunas unsupervised, as they regulate heat less well than adults. This is a complementary wellbeing experience, not a medical treatment or weight-loss method, and any temporary drop on the scales after sweating is fluid, not fat. If in doubt about whether it is right for you, check with your GP first.
Medical considerations
Infrared saunas are not suitable for everyone, and certain groups should seek medical advice or avoid them. Pregnancy is a common reason to avoid heat exposure, so speak to your midwife or GP first. People with heart conditions such as heart failure or recent cardiac events, uncontrolled high or low blood pressure, or a history of fainting should take particular care and check with their doctor. Some medications affect how your body handles heat, including blood thinners, diuretics, beta-blockers, sedatives and high-dose antihistamines, so review these with your GP or pharmacist. Conditions that affect sweating, temperature regulation or sensation, such as diabetes or some neurological conditions, also warrant caution. If you have implants or medical devices, ask the manufacturer or your clinician for guidance. Because reputable sources stress that saunas are not a substitute for medical care, an infrared sauna should never replace prescribed treatment or be used to manage a diagnosed condition without professional advice. When unsure, always consult a qualified healthcare professional before booking.
Patch testing
A skin patch test is not standard for infrared saunas, as there is no product applied to the skin. The more important safeguard is a proper pre-visit check of your health and suitability. A responsible studio will ask about pregnancy, heart or blood-pressure conditions, diabetes, medications, recent surgery and any history of fainting or heat intolerance before your first session, and will explain sensible time and temperature limits. This screening protects you and helps the business meet its duty of care and insurance obligations, since offering heat therapy without checking for contraindications could leave a provider found at fault if someone came to harm. Be honest and thorough when completing any consultation form, and if you have a medical condition or take regular medication, get your GP's view before booking. If a venue never asks about your health at all, treat that as a warning sign rather than a convenience.
Knowing a good practitioner
Green flags
Good providers ask about your health, medications and pregnancy before your first session and explain sensible time and temperature limits for a beginner. The cabin is clean, well maintained and easy to leave at any moment, with a working timer, temperature control and drinking water to hand, and staff nearby who can respond quickly if needed. They set realistic expectations, describing the sauna as a relaxing wellbeing experience rather than a cure or a weight-loss method, and they encourage you to build up gradually and to come out if you feel unwell. Clear hygiene between users, honest answers to your questions and a calm, unrushed approach all point to a responsible, well-run studio that puts your safety first.
Red flags
Be cautious if a studio never asks about your health, medications or pregnancy before letting you use the sauna, or pushes very long or very hot sessions with no guidance on limits. A cabin you cannot easily leave, no working timer or temperature control, no accessible drinking water and no staff within reach are all warning signs. Be wary of any venue that makes medical claims, such as promising to cure conditions, detoxify the body or deliver guaranteed weight loss, as these overstate what the evidence supports. Poor cleanliness, no cool-down space and staff who cannot answer basic safety questions also suggest you should look elsewhere. Trust your instincts and leave if you feel unwell or unsafe.
Questions to ask
- Do you screen for health conditions, pregnancy and medications before a first session, and what do you advise if I have any of these?
- What session length and temperature would you recommend for a beginner like me?
- How do you clean and maintain the cabin between different users?
- Is drinking water available, and can I leave the sauna freely at any point if I feel unwell?
- Will a member of staff be nearby and able to help quickly during my session?
- Are there any conditions or medications for which you would ask me to check with my GP first?
Frequently asked questions
Are infrared saunas safe?
For most healthy adults they are typically low risk when used sensibly, with reputable sources reporting few harmful effects. The main risks are overheating and dehydration, so keep sessions to a comfortable length, drink water and come out if you feel unwell. If you are pregnant, have a heart or blood-pressure condition or take regular medication, check with your GP first.
How is an infrared sauna different from a traditional sauna?
A traditional sauna heats the air around you, often to high temperatures, whereas an infrared sauna warms your body more directly at a lower air temperature, usually around 45 to 60 degrees Celsius. Many people find the infrared version feels gentler and easier to breathe in, while still producing a good sweat.
Will an infrared sauna help me lose weight or detox?
Any weight lost during a session is fluid from sweating and comes back once you rehydrate, so it is not a fat-loss method. Claims about detoxing the body are not well supported by evidence, as your liver and kidneys handle that naturally. It is best seen as a relaxing wellbeing experience rather than a treatment.
How long and how often should I use one?
Beginners often start with around ten to fifteen minutes and build up gradually as they see how their body responds, with more experienced users staying longer. Once or twice a week suits many people. Follow the studio's guidance, listen to your body and stop if you feel unwell. More is not automatically better.
Can I use an infrared sauna if I have a health condition?
It depends on the condition and any medication you take. Heart conditions, blood-pressure problems, diabetes, pregnancy and certain medicines such as blood thinners or beta-blockers all warrant caution. Because a sauna is not a substitute for medical care, speak to your GP or pharmacist before booking so you can use it safely.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Speak to a qualified practitioner, and to your GP if you have a medical condition, before booking.