Why Saunas Matter in Modern Wellness
The question “I work out, eat pretty well, and take care of myself but why do I still feel sluggish, bloated, and just off?” is one we hear every day at Body Lab Studio. It is a frustration we understand, and one our clients are here to solve. Parents, entrepreneurs, and busy professionals all face modern realities of chronic stress, inflammation, slow recovery, cellulite, and stubborn roadblocks to feeling and looking their best
Even with a solid workout routine and decent nutrition, many people still experience fluid retention, chronic muscle tightness, slow recovery, and a persistent feeling that their body isn’t fully keeping up. We know this, because we work closely with these people every day and see what actually helps them move from stuck to supported.
Infrared Wellness Saunas: A Modern Approach to Detox and Recovery
Traditional saunas, infrared saunas, and red light therapy are often grouped together. But they work very differently.
Both traditional and infrared saunas can be valuable wellness tools. The difference lies in how they create heat and how your body responds to that heat.
If the goal is better recovery, improved circulation, metabolic support, and visible skin benefits over time, infrared therapy offers advantages that traditional saunas typically don’t. Below is a science-grounded breakdown of why.
Infrared Saunas vs. Traditional Saunas: How They Work
Traditional Saunas
Traditional steam or dry saunas heat the air around you using heaters, rocks, and sometimes water. Temperatures typically range from 160°F to 200°F.
This hot, often humid air warms the body from the outside in. Your heart rate rises, circulation increases, and sweating begins as your body works to cool itself. Regular use has been associated with cardiovascular benefits, but the intensity of the heat can be difficult to tolerate for many people.
Infrared Saunas
Infrared saunas work differently. Infrared panels emit light wavelengths that penetrate the skin and warm tissues directly.
Rather than heating the air, infrared raises your core temperature more gently at lower ambient temperatures – usually 120°F to 160°F+. The result is sweating, increased circulation, and cardiovascular engagement without the heavy, oppressive heat.
Because sessions feel more tolerable, many people can stay in longer and use infrared more consistently. Research also shows benefits for post-exercise recovery and reduced muscle soreness, which helps explain why clients often feel refreshed rather than depleted.
Why Infrared Technology Delivers a Different Experience
Deeper Circulation and Detox Support
Infrared wavelengths warm tissues from the inside out. This promotes vasodilation, allowing blood vessels to relax and carry more oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
Improved circulation also supports waste removal and fluid movement. While sweating may contain trace compounds, it’s important to be accurate: the liver, kidneys, gut, and lungs handle detoxification. Infrared supports these systems indirectly by enhancing circulation, relaxation, and lymphatic flow – not by acting as a “miracle detox.”
At Body Lab Studio, our infrared wellness pods are designed to work with your body’s natural processes, not against them.
Greater Comfort and Accessibility
High-heat traditional saunas can feel overwhelming, especially for people with heat sensitivity, respiratory concerns, or blood pressure issues.
Infrared saunas deliver heat more gradually. The air stays cooler while your core temperature rises, reducing dizziness and heat stress. This makes infrared accessible for beginners, older adults, busy professionals, and anyone who avoids saunas due to discomfort.
Muscle Recovery and Inflammation Support
After intense exercise, muscles experience inflammation and micro-damage. Studies show that infrared heat after resistance training can improve neuromuscular recovery and reduce soreness compared to passive rest.
Infrared and near-infrared light also influence nitric oxide signaling, microcirculation, and mitochondrial activity. These effects support oxygen delivery, nutrient transport, and inflammatory modulation – aligning with client reports of less stiffness and faster recovery.
At Body Lab Studio, infrared is often paired with LPG Endermologie, EMS + RF sculpting, and lymphatic work to create a full recovery ecosystem.
Fat Metabolism and Body Contouring Support
Infrared sessions elevate heart rate and core temperature, creating a cardiovascular demand that mimics some physiological effects of mild cardio.
While immediate weight changes are mostly fluid loss, consistent sessions – especially when paired with movement and nutrition – can support fat oxidation and modest body composition shifts over time.
Infrared also improves tissue pliability and circulation in areas resistant to change. Many clients combine infrared with VacuTherm treadmill sessions and sculpting modalities for more targeted results. Consistency matters more than one-off “detox” sessions.
Infrared Sauna vs. Traditional Sauna: Feature Comparison
| Category | Traditional Sauna | Infrared Sauna |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Source | Heated air from rocks and heaters | Light wavelengths that warm the body directly |
| Temperature | 160°F–200°F | 110°F–140°F |
| Comfort | Intense, heavy heat | Gentle, more tolerable warmth |
| Detox Support | Surface-level sweating | Deeper tissue warming that supports natural detox pathways |
| Circulation | Limited by heat tolerance | Easier to use consistently, supporting cumulative benefits |
| Accessibility | Not ideal for everyone | Generally more suitable for sensitive users |
| Skin & Tissue Health | Temporary glow | Infrared + red light support collagen, oxidative balance, and smoother texture over time |
| Recovery | General relaxation | Research-backed improvements in recovery and soreness |
Infrared Wellness at Body Lab Studio
Infrared wellness in Myrtle Beach isn’t just about sweating. Every session at Body Lab Studio is structured around real goals – better recovery, smoother skin, improved mobility, and sustainable energy.
We combine infrared therapy with red light, lymphatic drainage, VacuTherm treadmill fitness, and modern sculpting technologies. Education matters here, too. Clients leave understanding why their body feels better, not just that it does.
What Clients Notice Over Time
Clients often report feeling lighter and less bloated after circulation-focused sessions. Many notice increased energy and mental clarity rather than post-sauna fatigue.
With consistency, smoother skin, easier movement, and reduced joint stiffness become common themes. These experiences align with research on circulation, oxygen delivery, and photobiomodulation-driven cellular signaling.
Our Most Popular Infrared Wellness Services
RESET Membership
Infrared Fitness
Infrared Wellness Pods
POLY Red Light Therapy
LPG Endermologie & EMS + RF Sculpting
Infrared Myths - Clarified
Myth: “Infrared is just for sweating.”
Myth: “Only athletes need this.”
Myth: “You should feel exhausted after.”
Experience the Body Lab Difference
Body Lab Studio blends evidence, comfort, and real-world results. This is a space to recover, reset, and reconnect with how your body is meant to feel.
Book a complimentary consultation, explore the RESET Membership, or start with an infrared and red light session to experience the difference for yourself.
