Infrared Sauna

Not really. A Japanese doctor, Tadashi Ishikawa of Fuji Medical, took out the first patent for infrared heating systems to be used in saunas back in 1965. For the next 14 years infrared heaters were only available in Japanese medical centres. In 1979, infrared heaters were made available for use by the general public.

Sunlight is made up of electromagnetic waves that have a wide range of wavelengths. Only a small portion of these wavelengths are visible to the human eye. Infrared is one of the 'invisible' wavelengths and sits just next to visible red. The visible spectrum accounts for just under half of the sun's total energy. A far larger amount is found in the infrared. So we are surrounded by infrared every day.

Infrared radiation was discovered by William Herschel in 1800 when he was investigating the properties of sunlight and used a prism to split it. He placed a thermometer on each colour of the spectrum. He surprised to find that the thermometer placed just outside the spectrum of visible light, 'below' red, registered the highest temperature. 'Infra' means 'below'.

Every object in the universe which has a temperature above absolute zero radiates in the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Even objects that we think of as being very cold, such as ice cubes, emit infrared radiation. The warmer the object, the more infrared radiation it is emitting.

Humans, at normal body temperature, radiate most strongly in the infrared at a wavelength of about 9 or 10 microns. (A micron is the term commonly used in astronomy for a micrometre or one millionth of a metre.)

Infrared has a range of wavelengths, just as visible light has wavelengths that range from red to violet. Near Infrared is closest in wavelength to red and Far Infrared is closer to the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum. On this NASA diagram of sunlight, the Far Infrared wave is shown as about the length of a pinhead.

No. We experience infrared radiation every day. The heat that we feel from sunlight, a fire, a radiator or a warm pavement is infrared. Although our eyes can't see it, the nerves in our skin experience infrared as heat because nerve endings detect the difference between our interior body temperature and our exterior skin temperature.

In our Infrared Sauna, the maximum air temperature is normally about 40 degrees C. The heat comes from carbon fibre, ruby quartz glass embedded heaters that work harmoniously in conjunction with the high-quality Nano-Carbon Crystal Panels positioned in the wooden walls of the sauna cabin. The heat that you experience in our Infrared Sauna is dry, radiated heat, warming you rather than warming the air too much. No water or steam are involved. The cosy warmth of our Infrared Sauna has been described as 'being hugged'. It is an individual cabin, so you are in control of the temperature at all times. You can listen to the radio or utilise the USB port without disturbing anyone, or relax in silence. It's up to you.

In an ordinary sauna, the kind you'll come across in health centres, swimming pools, hotels etc. in the UK, the heat comes from a 'kiuas' or stove, usually electric, with stones to retain the heat. Water is thrown onto the stones to increase heat and to moderate moisture levels within the sauna by creating steam or 'loyly'. The heat of the kiuas is infrared, of course, but it reaches you through a mix of convection, conduction and radiation (through the moisture in the air, through the heat of the walls and benches and through the radiant energy of the kiuas itself). The air in an ordinary sauna is heated to 70 - 100 degrees C (158 degrees F - 212 degrees F) or sometimes higher. A malfunctioning thermostat or overenthusiastic fellow users can result in higher temperatures which many people find oppressive or claustrophobic.

Some science if you're interested: the Infrared Sauna can operate effectively and encourage sweating, at its lower ambient heat, because 40 degrees C is above normal body temperature, and that's all that's necessary to cause the human body to sweat. Also the very dry air has a lower thermal conductivity than moist air and so the sweat produced by the body evaporates quickly. The latent heat of evaporation cools the skin. In an ordinary sauna, pouring water over the kiuas increases humidity in the sauna, which increases heat transfer to the body and slows the rate of evaporation.

• Many people who find the heat of ordinary saunas oppressive are pleasantly surprised by the lower ambient air temperature of our Infra Red Sauna (40 degrees C versus 70 - 100 degrees C or higher in an ordinary sauna).
• Pregnant women should seek medical advice before using the sauna. (Many pregnant women in Finland use saunas, but as every pregnant woman is different, it's worth being sure.)
• Persons under the age of 16 should not use the sauna - 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.
• Users of hallucinogenic drugs should seek medical advice before using the sauna. Removal of drugs from tissue storage through sweating in the sauna can cause flashbacks or other negative effects.
• Individuals who are using prescription drugs should seek the advice of their personal physician or a pharmacist for possible changes in the drugs effect when the body is exposed to far infrared waves or elevated body temperature. Diuretics, barbiturates and beta-blockers may impair the body's natural heat loss mechanisms. Some over the counter drugs such as antihistamines may also cause the body to be more prone to heat stroke.
• Saunas and Seniors Our ability to maintain core body temperature decreases with age. This is primarily due to circulatory conditions and decreased sweat gland function. Your body must be able to activate its natural cooling processes (by sweating) in order to maintain core body temperature.
• Saunas and cardiovascular conditions If you have a cardiovascular condition, such as hypertension or hypotension, congestive heart failure, impaired coronary circulation or you are taking medication which might affect blood pressure, then please exercise extreme caution when exposed to prolonged heat. Heat stress increases your heart rate and blood flow, in an effort to transfer internal body heat to the outside environment via the skin (sweating) and respiratory system.
• Saunas and chronic health conditions There are various chronic conditions where an infra- red sauna should be avoided: diseases where you do not sweat much (such as Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, central nervous system tumors and diabetes with neuropathy); anything which makes you prone to bleeding (haemophilia); if you have a fever; if you are insensitive to heat; if you have chronically hot and swollen joints.
• Saunas and menstruation Heating your lower back may relieve menstrual cramps and pain but can also cause temporary increased menstrual flow.
• Saunas and implants or prostheses Metal pins, artificial joints or any other surgical implants, such as silicone implants should not be adversely affected by the usage of Infrared saunas. It is still advised that you check with your surgeon and possibly a representative from the implant manufacturer to be certain.
  

In the rare event that you experience pain and/or discomfort, immediately discontinue sauna use.

• If you begin to feel faint, if your heart feels as if it's racing, or if sweating stops completely, leave the sauna cabin.
• Occasionally, users have experienced a 'healing crisis' where toxins leaving the body cause headaches or uneasiness on their way out. Remember to stay hydrated and let us know if you're concerned.
• Many people do not easily sweat when they begin to use the sauna. It can take a few weeks or months to acclimatise to sweating in the sauna. Be patient.

No. It's Ultraviolet radiation that causes a suntan, not Infrared.

Your skin may look a little bit red for up to an hour after a session in the Infrared Sauna, but this won't turn into a tan. The reddening is caused by vasodilation (expansion of the blood vessels). This is a result of the relaxation and warmth of the sauna causing the blood flow to increase, as your blood pressure drops. You could compare it with blushing, which is the result of increased blood flow in the face.

Our sauna is open from Monday to Friday (inclusive) from 10am to 530pm.

Weekend sessions can occasionally be arranged.

You can book a 30 minute or a full hour session.

With 15 mins extra to shower and change.

So 30 mins sauna is a total of 45 mins; an hour sauna is a total of 75 mins.

3 towels and some 20p pieces for the chlorine free shower - that's all!

You'll need: One bath towel (for your shower or for towelling yourself off during or after the sauna) and two hand towels (one to sit on and one to rest your feet on).
If you forget your own towels, we can provide a set of towels for a £3 charge (to include laundering).

Bring 20p pieces for the chlorine free shower (20p for 4 minutes; £1 for 20 minutes).

There is a radio in the cabin, but you're welcome to bring a USB stick (Type A) if you want to connect your own relaxing sounds or music while you're enjoying the sauna.

The music must not be within folders on your USB Stick so they can be played.

No need to bring bottled water - there is a big bottle and a glass in the sauna room providing purified water. Enjoy!

No need. We have purified water in a big bottle, with a glass in the sauna room. Please help yourself!

Remember, you can lose just over a litre of water an hour through sweating in a sauna. So it's wise to replace it with purified water.

If you've had a big meal, it's a good idea to leave at least 2 hours before using the sauna. You'll feel more comfortable and you'll get much more out of the experience.

Well, it's not a good idea. Removal of alcohol from tissue storage through sweating can give you a truly horrible hangover and the same process can provoke flashbacks and other unpleasant effects if you've been taking anything hallucinogenic. These effects are impossible to predict or to control, so it's better not to risk it.

Yes! The sauna room is completely private, so you can choose whether to wear nothing, a swimsuit or a loose cotton tank top and shorts. It's up to you. Of course, the less you wear, the fewer layers of clothing the infrared waves need to get through in order to reach your skin.

Whether you choose to enjoy our sauna naked or not, remember to use one hand towel to sit on and one to rest your feet on. The towels will absorb sweat and add to your comfort.

Our Infrared Sauna cabin is big enough for one person only, so your session will be completely private.

• Some people jog to their sauna session, so that sweating has started before they sit down in the sauna.
• It's best if you have no lotions or oils blocking your pores before you start your sauna session. Take a chlorine free shower to be sure (20p for 4 minutes).
• Drink at least half a glass of water before you enter the sauna cabin and at least a glass when you leave after a 30 minute session. Drink more for a 60 minute session.
• Many people sweat just over a litre every hour in the sauna. There is a big bottle with free purified water in the sauna room. Please help yourself.
• Once you're in the sauna:
  - Relax
  - Breathe slowly and deeply (in through your nose and out through your mouth)
  - Relax
  - Visualise your body absorbing all the wonderful warmth and energy
  - Relax (the more you can relax, the more you will sweat)
• There is a radio option in the sauna cabin or you can plug your own USB and create your own bubble of tranquility.
• Take a chlorine free shower with warm or cool water to close your pores after the detoxification of the sauna session.
• If you don't have time for a shower after the sauna, rub your skin completely dry with a clean towel.
• It's best not to use soap in the shower and not to apply oils or lotions after the shower. Use a loofah or skin brush for more efficient cleaning and let your body enjoy the benefits of clean, unclogged pores.
• Drink at least a glass of water per 30 minute session. We have provided a supply of purified water in the sauna room. Please help yourself!
• If you can, relax for at least 15 minutes after your sauna session.

Our Infrared Sauna, changing area and shower room are all together in one private space, so that you can move comfortably from one to another as you wish.

Yes! We like to encourage regular use of our Infrared Sauna, so we've come up with these special offers:

If you are a BeWell member you can choose from various cheaper 30 mins and 1 hour bundles.

Sauna with Massage £65 (2 hrs all inclusive)
An hour's session in the Infrared Sauna before your massage appointment will soften your muscles ready for a truly effective massage. A professional massage after your sauna session will complete the relaxing effect of the Infrared rays. A win-win combination!