Before a Sauna Session.

Avoid heavy meals two hours before a sauna session. Avoid alcohol or other intoxicating substances. Drink eight ounces of water before entering a sauna. Add sea salt and two tablespoons daily of kelp to one's diet, especially if one's water is mineral-free. Remove metal jewelry before entering the sauna, as it may become very hot.

Taking the Sauna.

Drink two glasses of mineralized water before entering the sauna. Add juice or minerals to your water if it is mineral-free. The infrared sauna will not work through clothing. Men, position yourselves so the testicles are not directly exposed to infrared energy. Pass the time meditating or review your day.

Use a small towel to wipe off the sweat. Not recommended are talking or working in the sauna. Ventilate the sauna whenever you use it. This may be built into the design. This avoids breathing toxic gases. If you use a bathroom or closet, leave the door slightly ajar.

Bulb Saunas. Turn every few minutes if your sauna uses heat bulbs. Sit on a stool or a chair without a back. Face the bulbs, turn to the side and around to the back. Avoid touching the hot bulbs, though looking at them is fine. Do not let water, a towel or clothing touch the bulbs when they are on.

Finishing Up.

Remain in the sauna no more than 30 minutes. Use your judgement regarding the time. The temperature should not exceed 110. Some days you will sweat more than others.

When finished, take a shower, warm or cool but not hot. Avoid using soap as you will be clean. Soap leaves a film and clogs the pores. Wash off the sweat with a skin brush or loofa. Brush all over, even face and hair. Painful at first, it soon feels wonderful. Brushing enhances the cleansing effect. Shampoo and conditioner use only if needed. Most contain chemicals toxic to the body. Also skip most lotions and creams. These also contain harmful chemicals. (see Sauna Detox)

The human body can also absorb infrared heat. Infrared energy is measured in wavelengths as microns. The human body can best absorb infrared energy in the 3- to 50-micron range, with the best absorption occurring at 9.4 microns. Thera Sauna TheraMitters emit infrared heat in the 7- to 14-micron range with a peak at 9.4 microns, the same as the human body, making it easier to absorb. Easier absorption also means that the infrared heat penetrates deeper into body tissues than traditional hot air saunas - up to an inch-and-a-half.