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First-timers ask us this constantly: what do I actually put on?
While your outfit depends on your specific session, the foundational rule is simple. Wear breathable workout clothes you can easily sweat in and forget about. Cotton, spandex, and moisture-wicking fabrics all work wonderfully, while heavy layers and long pants should be left at home.
To make sure you are fully prepared, here is what to keep in mind for our most popular equipment:
VacuTherm Treadmill: Wear your standard breathable workout gear paired with comfortable tennis shoes.
POLY Red Light Therapy: You can keep your clothes on, though exposing bare skin directly on the treatment area ensures the best possible results.
A Few Quick Reminders:
Remove all jewelry before your session.
If your face is being treated, please arrive with clean, makeup-free skin.
Below, we break it down machine by machine here at Body Lab so you are ready to roll.
Why Clothing Matters in Infrared Therapy
Infrared sessions at Body Lab use light and heat delivered to your skin. Clothing sits between you and that light or heat, so what you wear changes how your session feels.
Heavy layers and long pants trap heat and sweat against your skin, which can make a session uncomfortable. Breathable workout clothes let you stay comfortable.
Cotton, spandex and moisture-wicking fabrics all work well. Workout clothes are the standard for movement sessions. The best choice depends on the machine, so see the breakdown below.
So yeah, if you want your session actually to do its job, keep it simple. Breathable, comfortable and ready to sweat in.
Best and Worst Clothing Choices for Infrared Therapy
The right outfit depends on the session, but these basics apply almost everywhere. The goal is to let the light actually reach your skin so your body can soak up the full benefits.
Best Clothing for Infrared Therapy
-
Loose cotton or bamboo
These breathe well and feel comfortable when you sweat. -
Minimal clothing (if you’re cool with it)
Leggings, shorts or a T-shirt work well. Workout clothes are the standard at Body Lab. -
Breathable, sweat-wicking materials
Helps keep you comfortable throughout the session.
What to Skip
- Heavy layers and long pants
These trap heat and can make your session uncomfortable. - Open-toe shoes
For fitness machines like the VacuTherm Treadmill, wear tennis shoes. - Jewelry and makeup for red light therapy
Take off earrings, necklaces and other jewelry. If your face is being treated, arrive with clean, makeup-free skin.
What to Wear in an Infrared Sauna at Body Lab
“Infrared therapy” covers several different sessions at Body Lab, and what you wear changes with each one.
For Infrared Fitness (you’re moving)
Wear breathable workout clothes and tennis shoes. Cotton, spandex and moisture-wicking fabrics all work well. Skip heavy layers and long pants, which trap heat. You’ll sweat more than in a typical workout. See our Infrared Fitness sessions.
For the Infrared Wellness Pod (an infrared sauna you lie down in)
The Infrared Wellness Pod is an infrared sauna. You lie down with your head outside the pod. Most clients stay fully clothed in light workout clothes, and a sauna suit is optional. We provide towels for each session, and you don’t need to tie up your hair. Drink water before you go in.
For the VacuTherm Treadmill (a walking infrared sauna)
The VacuTherm Treadmill is a walking infrared sauna. The chamber seals at your waist, so your head and upper body stay outside it. Wear breathable workout clothes and tennis shoes, and skip long pants.
For the Infrared Body Roller
On the Infrared Body Roller, wear light workout clothes, like leggings or shorts and a T-shirt. Avoid thick or bulky clothing.
For POLY Red Light Therapy (red light is not infrared heat)
POLY is red light, not heat, so the guidance differs from the Pod and the VacuTherm. POLY can be done through clothing, but bare skin on the treatment area is recommended for the best results. Take off earrings, necklaces and other jewelry. If your face is being treated, arrive with clean, makeup-free skin. Protective eyewear is recommended as an extra precaution.
Want the full picture on red light versus infrared? Read our red light wavelengths guide and the complete guide to infrared light and heat.
Ready to book your first infrared session?
Start Here
Maximizing Your Therapy Results
Clothing matters, sure. A few other habits help too:
- Drink plenty of water
You’re going to sweat, so drink water before and after your session. - Do a little stretching
A few easy stretches before and after help you warm up and cool down. Nothing intense. - Stick with it
One session feels great, but a regular routine is what makes it stick. Making it part of your week is where it adds up.
Final Thoughts: Dress Smart, Feel Better
What you wear during infrared therapy affects how comfortable your session is. Choose breathable workout clothes and skip the heavy layers.
Simple swaps, like breathable workout clothes over heavy layers, make a session more comfortable. Not sure what to wear? Ask us before your first visit.
Ready to try it?
Book your session and show up in something you can sweat in.
Ready to try it? Book one of our infrared fitness sessions in Myrtle Beach at Body Lab Studio.
Frequently Asked Questions
REFERENCE
- Barolet, D., & Boucher, A. (2010). Prophylactic low-level light therapy for the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids: A case series. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 42(6), 597–601.
This study highlights the importance of direct skin exposure to light therapy for optimal results. The authors emphasize that clothing can act as a barrier, reducing the therapy’s efficacy. - Avci, P., Gupta, A., Sadasivam, M., Vecchio, D., Pam, Z., Pam, N., & Hamblin, M. R. (2013). Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: Stimulating, healing, restoring. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 32(1), 41–52.
This comprehensive review discusses the mechanisms by which light therapy interacts with skin tissues. It notes that the presence of clothing can interfere with light absorption, suggesting that minimal or no clothing enhances therapeutic outcomes. - Enwemeka, C. S., Parker, J. C., Dowdy, D. S., Harkness, E. E., Sanford, L. E., & Woodruff, L. D. (2004). The efficacy of low-power lasers in tissue repair and pain control: A meta-analysis study. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 22(4), 323–329.
This meta-analysis indicates that direct application of light therapy to the skin is crucial for effective tissue repair and pain management. The study suggests that clothing may obstruct the light’s penetration, thereby diminishing its therapeutic benefits. - Mignon, C., Botchkareva, N. V., Uzunbajakava, N. E., & Tobin, D. J. (2016). Differential effect of red and near-infrared light on the expression of genes associated with inflammation, fibroblast proliferation, and migration. Scientific Reports, 6, 30517.
This research explores how red and near-infrared light affect gene expression related to skin healing. The findings underscore the necessity of unobstructed light exposure to the skin, as clothing can impede the light’s ability to modulate these critical biological processes. - Alghamdi, K. M., Kumar, A., & Moussa, N. A. (2012). Low-level laser therapy: A useful technique for enhancing the proliferation of various cultured cells. Lasers in Medical Science, 27(1), 237–249.
This study demonstrates that low-level laser therapy enhances cell proliferation, a key factor in tissue healing. The authors note that for maximum effectiveness, the light should directly contact the skin, as clothing can absorb or reflect the therapeutic wavelengths.
