what’s the difference between infrared saunas and traditional saunas?
a traditional sauna raises the temperature of the air around you to a very high level to subsequently warm the body, for some people this type of heat is difficult to breathe in and therefore makes it more difficult to reap the benefits. far infrared saunas work differently. instead of heating the air within the enclosure, far infrared saunas heat the body directly. during your sweat at slöwe, the air within your sauna withholds 20% of the heat, whereas your body’s core temperate is raised from within holding 80% of the heat, resulting in deeper tissue penetration.
what is an infrared sauna?
infrared light can't be seen by the naked eye but it gives off what's called radiated heat, penetrating deep within your tissues, muscles and cells, giving your body all the benefits the sun would without the harmful UV damage. the slow and direct heating of an infrared sauna makes for a much more comfortable experience than a traditional one. this comfort allows for a longer sweat and therefore a deeper detox, removing 20% of toxins compared to the 3% removed from traditional steam sauna therapy.
why do people use infrared saunas?
infrared sauna therapy was first developed in the 70's in Japan, and has been continuously refined since. at slöwe we provide you with the most advanced infrared sauna technology from clearlight's sanctuary range to aid in your healing. from chronic conditions to mild health concerns, detoxification, immunity and skin health. the healing properties of this treatment are vast and ever growing, as we learn more about how to heal holistically we address the root causes of our health concerns.
the benefits of infrared saunas
detoxification
sweating is the body’s natural process to remove toxins and nasty chemicals from the body. infrared rays gently heat the body, increasing the core temperature which allows for a deep penetration to a cellular level, assisting/aiding in the detoxification process.
weightloss
a number of studies have shown that you can burn up to 700 calories per session. as your body attempts to cool itself down, it also increases your heart and metabolic rate making you burn more calories.
anti-ageing
near infrared heat has been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in your skin. sweating improves blood circulation as well as skin elasticity, tone, texture and firmness, it also helps unblock pores and reduce blemishes.
skin healing
regular sweating allows your body to detoxify nasty chemicals, pollutants and dirt lodged within the dermal layer. studies have shown that the average persons skin is exposed to 700,000 toxins a day.
immune boosting
when you use our infrared saunas it increases the core temperature of your body. bacteria and viruses can’t survive under certain temperatures and the increased heat within your sauna helps your body combat this, giving your immune system that added boost.
pain relief + recovery
if you’re suffering with aches and pains, an infrared sauna is a great way for you to deal with these troubled areas. Infrared saunas increase circulation, which encourages healing blood flow to trouble areas.
stress reduction
one of the biggest benefits of an infrared sauna is relaxation and the chance to de-stress. people today live busy lives and we are now under more daily stress than ever before. an infrared sauna session can not only help you unwind but it also decreases the production of cortisol, the main hormone for stress in the body.
what is chromotherapy?
chromotherapy is LED coloured light therapy, where different light colours are used to support multiple health and wellness concerns. chromotherapy is a deeply therapeutic treatment and has been used for centuries in many different cultures to heal the mind and body. It works by restoring imbalances to the body, with each colour benefiting in its own way from skin healing, too mood boosting and to aiding in muscle recovery.
blue
blue has a pacifying effect on the nervous system encouraging great relaxation and is an effective treatment for sleeping problems. blue light connects us to a holistic mindset, giving us wisdom and clarity to enhance communication and speech. relaxing, soothing blue rays provide a state of tranquil and peace to a mind that is worried, excited or in a constant state of fight or flight. blue light has also been proven to reduce bacteria that causes acne, and can whiten teeth.
green
green is the universal healing colour, it can be used for just about any condition in need of healing. when in doubt, green will always work. the colour green cleanses and balances our energy, to give a feeling of renewal, peace and harmony. in a more practical sense, green affects blood pressure and all conditions of the heart. having both an energising and soothing effect, green can help heal many illnesses of this nature, specifically including the cardiovascular system. it aids in decreasing and stabilising blood pressure, ulcers, cancer, headaches, nervous disorders and influenza, and acts as a general tonic. it has also been proven to help balance redness of the skin and blotches.
orange
orange has a freeing action upon the mind, relieving repression. through orange, we are able to heal the physical body and at the same time, induce within the mind greater understanding. orange helps assimilate new ideas. it is the best emotional stimulant, helping to remove inhibitions paving independent social behaviour such as bringing joy to your workday and strengthening your appetite for life. orange aids in repairing inflammation of the kidneys, gallstones, menstrual cramps, epilepsy, wet cough and all sinus conditions. its outer rays also help to revitalise skin and help you glow from within.
yellow
yellow helps awaken mental inspiration arousing higher mentality. thus, it is an excellent colour for nervous or nerve related conditions or ailments; fuelling the solar plexus. yellow has a very enriching effect upon the intellect. it can be used for conditions of the stomach, liver, and intestines. it can also help the pores of the skin by repairing scarred tissue. these rays have an alkalising effect which strengthens the nerves awakening, inspiring and vitally stimulating the higher mind promoting self-control. conditions treated by yellow include constipation, gas, liver troubles, diabetes, eczema and nervous exhaustion.
violet
violet is an excellent remedy for neurosis, diseases of the scalp, sciatica, tumours, rheumatism, cerebral spinal meningitis, concussion, cramps and epilepsy. violet animates and cleans the venous blood. it is generally not used for physical conditions; however, it does help to increase cell regeneration, which in turn helps to cleanse the skin and reduce inflammation. violet purifies our thoughts and feelings giving us inspiration. the violet energy connects us to our spiritual self bringing guidance, wisdom and inner strength, and enhances artistic talent and creativity.
red
red is excellent for areas that have become stiff as it loosens and releases constrictions. it promotes cellular growth, stimulating the circulatory system. it is therefore recommended for all colds, sluggish or dormant conditions, such as pneumonia, arthritis, anaemia, as a liver stimulant, an energy builder, and for increasing circulation. red links with and stimulates the base of the spine, causing the adrenal glands to release adrenalin, this results in greater strength. red also decreases signs of ageing including fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen production.
what is ice bath therapy?
ice bath therapy or contrast therapy, also known as immersion therapy is the treatment of exposing the body to a contrast of temperatures. it involves submerging yourself in a body of cold water in short increments. it works on the concept of vasodilatation (which occurs in the heat) and vasoconstriction (which occurs in the cold). this is referring to the dilation of blood vessels and the constricting of them. this results in alternating the blood from flowing to the internal organs and extremities.
why do people use ice bath therapy?
the dilating and constricting of the blood vessels helps reduce swelling, inflammation, enhance your sleep, improve circulation, aid in weight loss and maintenance, relieve depression and provide an overall sense of wellbeing. there is also evidence that consistent use can have a positive effect on the nervous system.
the benefits of ice bath therapy
weight loss
the body contains two types of fats, unhealthy white fat and beneficial brown fat. unlike the tissue in white fat cells, the tissue in brown fat cells converts energy into heat. this process called thermogenesis has been shown to help with metabolic function and the prevention of weight gain. cold water immersions have been shown to trigger this process and therefore help to boost your immune system and maintain weight.
immune boosting
ice bath submersion combined with alternative breathing techniques offer a demonstrated ability to trigger an adaptation response to the immune system. it’s what’s called ‘controlled hypoxia’ and it works by activating the stress hormone adrenaline. with an exposure to physiological stressors, ice bath therapy challenges the body to function beyond its comfort zone, having a direct effect on immune function.
pain relief + recovery
ice bath therapy helps repair damage associated with intense physical training. when you immerse yourself in ice cold water, your blood vessels constrict; when you get out, they dilate. this process helps flush away metabolic waste post sweat, especially in the lymph nodes. Increasing your blood flow floods your cells with nutrients and oxygen to help your body recover faster. the local temperature of your body is also decreased, which helps limit inflammatory response and therefore speed up recovery.
fatigue
ice baths reduce any strain on the cardiovascular system and brings down hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), which can reduce fatigue.
nervous system support
ice bath therapy can help your central nervous system by aiding in sleep, and consequently, making you feel better from having less fatigue. This, in turn may improve your response time and efficiency when exercising or going about your day-to-day task. because of ice baths’ effects on the regulation of cortisol levels ice bath therapy has been shown to improve symptoms of depression, anxiety and reduce sleep related disorders.