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Is there anything more luxurious than a sauna? For starters: You put on a plush robe, sit naked underneath it, and then sit in suffocating steam. You’re literally paying to sit in a humid room. And while all that steam (and sweating) is great for detoxifying your body, you’re probably not getting the most out of your steam room experience—unless it’s an infrared sauna.
Here’s how it works: The treatment uses far-infrared heat, a range of radiant energy long used in Japan (called “Waona therapy”) that has been shown to help with cardiovascular disease. Unlike tanning beds and UV rays, which heat our bodies from the outside, far-infrared heats our bodies from the inside (where muscle and fat are stored), so it doesn’t burn our skin or damage our DNA.
Heating the body from the inside out can trigger a cascade of reactions that have health benefits. First, infrared heat allows our bodies to flush out toxins like dirt, makeup, pollutants, metals, nicotine, and alcohol faster. Of course, our skin and liver can cleanse themselves on their own, but proponents say speeding up the process can help clear up skin faster.
Infrared sweat therapy also increases your heart rate, stimulating better oxygen flow: “They raise your heart rate in the same way that cardiovascular exercise does, so they’re a great option for people with physical disabilities or who can’t raise their heart rate through exercise,” says cardiologist Dr. Alejandro Junger, founder of the 21-day CLEAN detox program. Research has also shown that this treatment can regulate sleep and stimulate blood circulation in a person’s skin, which can help increase collagen production. Dr. Junger also notes that depending on factors like your weight, fitness level, and how much time you spend at home, you could burn anywhere from 200 to 600 calories.
It all seemed too good to be true, so we headed to Shape House in Los Angeles to try it out for ourselves. Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift have reportedly been spotted there.
We wore loose cotton pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks as recommended (much like the Leftovers’ Guilty Remnant). If you don’t have the proper gear, staff will provide you with appropriate clothing in the signature bright orange color reminiscent of Litchfield Prison.
After being given a bottle of alkaline water and confirmed as healthy (not pregnant, no pacemaker, no heart disease), I was taken to a room equipped with a treatment bed, a TV, and headphones. I climbed into a sleeping bag with special ceramic plates that helped distribute heat evenly.
The weighted cocoon is heavy but not uncomfortable, and feels like something an astronaut might comfortably lie in after the lights went out during a mission. The waiter turned on the heater, and I lay there, sweating, for 55 minutes, watching Game of Thrones. For the first 45 minutes, I was warm, completely unaware that the bed was 158 degrees Fahrenheit, my heart was pounding, and I was as wet as a child suffering from a severe night terror.
Yes, Game of Thrones helps me take my mind off my physical problems, but unlike sweating in a dry sauna, my head is not involved and I can breathe cool air without the blanket. Can I really give my heart the workout of running without getting out of breath? Shape House spokesperson Julia Dopp later explained, “Sweating is hard work. Your body has to pump a lot of blood to regulate its temperature. But because the temperature is high, your muscles relax, which helps you not feel out of breath.”
Literally 10 minutes before the end of the procedure, I suddenly felt very uneasy. My clothes were soaked with sweat, my heart was pounding, damn, I was hot. Less than 30 seconds after I started feeling discomfort, a nurse came to me with a cool towel soaked in lavender water, which, along with a few sips of water, eased the last minutes of my discomfort.
After drinking more water and eating a few orange slices in the living room, I wondered if I’d detoxed enough to give myself a Khaleesi-like glow. Then I consulted Dr. Janet Graf, a dermatologist and author of Stop Aging, Start Living, to find out if it was actually doing my skin any favors. “Infrared heat helps the skin detoxify,” she confirms. “That way, your skin will glow.” My normally dull complexion was immediately replaced with a healthy glow, but a day later, I had a giant cystic pimple on my cheek — likely a byproduct of sweating out toxins. Dr. Jung also recommends drinking plenty of water to maintain a healthy electrolyte balance. “I can’t stress enough that if you’re going to use a sauna, it’s extremely important to stay hydrated,” he says. “Try to use the time to meditate, practice mindfulness, or listen to relaxing music.” You may need to take breaks every 5 to 10 minutes until you get used to the heat.”
While I can’t attribute celebrity-level skin or other purported benefits (like regulated sleep or weight loss) to a single treatment, the experience definitely left me wanting to come back for more. I don’t expect these sessions to replace my workouts—after all, my muscles need a workout. But health claims aside, this affordable $45 treatment feels good. Can it get my heart racing and improve my skin’s glow in the long run? Well, I’m totally on board with that, too.
By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The providers we use may also process your information to provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The providers we use may also process your information to provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.