Sauna FAQs
What is the best temperature during a session?
We get this question a lot, so we will let the experts weigh in. Here is what the medical experts and the team who designed our saunas at sunlighten have to say…
Sunlighten:
“We recommend starting at a lower temperature of 100F and increasing temperature gradually in later sessions, if you still feel comfortable. Everyone has different preferences and tolerances for heat. The most important thing is to listen to your body.
Keep in mind, if you’re sweating at 115 degrees you’re getting the same benefits as if you’re sweating at 150 degrees."
How cheaper infrared brands are hotter in temperature
Sunlighten:
Learn all you can about the heater in each sauna you’re comparing. Some salespeople for other companies may suggest that a blend of ceramic and carbon infrared heaters are better than carbon alone, that the blend provides an “extra burst” of infrared heat. However, carbon heaters, like Sunlighten’s Solocarbon full spectrum and far infrared heaters, emit infrared wavelengths at a more constant temperature through large panels creating an even distribution of comforting heat throughout the sauna.
Ceramic heaters were the first type of infrared sauna heaters available, though are no longer the technology of choice. Ceramic elements emit heat at very high temperatures in a condensed area and are unsafe to touch. The myth that a carbon/ceramic blend provides an extra punch or is more effective is simply not true. Here at Sunlighten, we tested the concept years ago and found no advantage to blending the materials. Hotter is not always better – with hotter temperatures you will spend less time in the sauna, making your sessions less effective. What truly matters is how effective the heaters are at conducting infrared heat!
Why is Lower Infrared Heater Temperature Better?
Our bodies operate at a frequency of 9.4 microns. The closer the infrared is to this 9.4 microns, the better the absorption of the rays and the deeper the penetration. This also results in more toxins being shaken off the fat cells.
This is called resonance frequency. We know that certain sound waves can vibrate glass and a singer’s voice can even break glass. In a similar fashion, the closer the microns are to the ideal 9.4, the better the cellular resonance frequency.
No heater will remain exactly at 9.4 microns. But the cooler the heater element itself is, the more time it will have near this level.
Cheap carbon panels need to be much hotter to produce any viable amount of heat for the user and quickly move past the ideal micron levels. This is another reason they are very poor choices for true detoxification.
Clearlight was one of the first companies to pioneer lower temperature carbon panels that are also powerful in the amount of emissivity and healing they provide. This is one reason they only require heating elements halfway up the sides of the interior walls. Cheaper brands need panels all the way to the ceiling to produce adequate amounts of emitted heat.
How is A Lower Sauna Temperature Giving me a Better Detox?
Sweat fulfills two primary functions. It cools the body and it removes waste products out of the body. This is accomplished through two main types of sweat glands.
The Apocrine glands, which are located in areas such as the armpits and scalp, secrete sweat which contains higher levels of fats and organic compounds. The second group called Eccrine glands number more than 2 million and are scattered over the entire body, handling most of the sweating process.
These Eccrine glands, over the course of a normal day pump out nearly a quart of sweat. However, in a steam environment of 180 degrees or more, they produce this amount in only 15 minutes. While this cleans the pores and skin, it is also excretes higher amounts of electrolytes. Sweating at these 180+ degree levels requires replacing the lost fluids and electrolytes.
However, using an infrared sauna at the lower temperatures of 110-125 degrees results in a sticker, more fat-laden sweat and less electrolyte loss. In fact the sweat from an infrared sauna session is comprised of up to 20% toxins compared to only 3% toxins in the sweat produced in a high temp steam unit. This is a main reason it is the better choice for detox purposes.
How long is the session?
We offer 25 minute sessions and 50 minute sessions.
How hot will it be?
The rule of thumb is, the hotter a sauna is, the lower quality it is. Our saunas are the best on the market and the temperature will range between 100-140 degrees.
How Safe is Infrared Heat?
Infrared heat is completely safe and healthy for all living things. You can be exposed to infrared light for hours without the risk of burning. Infrared is a naturally occurring output of the sun, but does not contain the harmful UV rays associated with unprotected sunlight. In fact, infrared heat is so safe, it is used in hospitals to warm newborn infants.
What should I wear during my sauna session?
We are family friendly: Robes or shirts must be worn in all common areas. While in the sauna, we recommend wearing a bathing suit or simply a towel we will provide. If you prefer to bring an additional towel from home, you are more than welcome to do so!
*NOTE: please refrain from wearing perfumes, lotions or body oils before your appointment. Some lotions and body oils can cause permanent damage to our saunas.
What if I am late to my session/need to cancel?
We have a strict 24 hour cancelation policy. The reason for this is because our saunas are in high demand and a no-show takes time from another customer that would have used the session. No-shows and late cancels will be charged full price for the session ($40).
Can I bring a friend?
We charge a $20 guest pass for non memners joining our members in the same sauna. If a member brings another member as a guest we only charge for extra robes and towels.
What’s the Difference Between Infrared Saunas and Traditional Saunas?
Infrared heat is very gentle. The experience is similar to lying in the sun on a warm day and feeling the heat radiate to the core of your body. Unlike traditional (hot rock or steam) saunas–which operate at well in excess of 200°F–infrared heat has the benefit of being effective at a more comfortable operating temperature of 100°-150°F.
Traditional saunas heat the air vs. the body directly. Rather than inducing detoxification and relaxation, this can make the experience unbearably hot and difficult to breathe. Because infrared heat penetrates human tissue vs. simply heating the surface of the skin, infrared saunas are seven times more effective than traditional saunas at detoxifying the body. By raising the body’s core temperature, infrared saunas can produce a sweat composed of 20% toxins vs. only 3% toxins with a traditional sauna.
I’m Pregnant. Any Problems if I Use an Infrared Sauna?
We advise you to consult with your own physician before using infrared saunas while pregnant.
How old do I have to be to use the sauna?
You must be 18 or older to use the sauna.