Infrared Sauna Therapy: The Complete Beginner’s Guide

Short answer: An infrared sauna uses infrared energy to warm the body in a heated cabin. Many people book it for warmth, relaxation and an easy pause in a busy routine. It causes sweating, so hydration and suitability matter. It is not a detox, weight-loss or medical treatment.

LondonCryo offers private infrared sauna sessions in St John’s Wood in 25- and 45-minute options. Here is what first-time clients should know.

How does an infrared sauna work?

A traditional sauna primarily heats the air around you. An infrared sauna uses infrared energy and also warms the cabin, creating a different style of heat experience. Temperatures are often lower than in a traditional sauna, but the session can still feel intense and cause substantial sweating.

What are the realistic benefits?

Relaxation

A quiet period in gentle heat can feel calming and may complement an established wellbeing routine.

Warmth and comfort

Some clients enjoy heat when they feel stiff after everyday activity or want to unwind.

Temporary sweating

Sweating is the body’s normal cooling response. Replace lost fluid after the session.

Routine and recovery

Sauna can be used as a standalone appointment or alongside other suitable LondonCryo services.

Keep expectations realistic: sweating does not prove that a treatment has removed “toxins,” and any immediate change on the scales is usually fluid loss—not body-fat loss. Infrared sauna should not be advertised as a cure for pain, illness or skin conditions.

Should I choose 25 or 45 minutes?

A 25-minute appointment is the sensible starting point for many beginners or clients fitting sauna into a broader clinic visit. The 45-minute option may suit experienced sauna users who tolerate heat well. Longer is not automatically better; follow the team’s guidance and leave early if you feel unwell.

How to prepare for an infrared sauna

1. Hydrate: arrive normally hydrated and drink water afterwards.
2. Avoid alcohol: do not use a sauna when intoxicated, unwell or already dehydrated.
3. Keep it comfortable: follow the clinic’s instructions on clothing, towels and temperature.
4. Listen to your body: leave immediately and alert the team if you feel dizzy, faint, nauseous or unusually uncomfortable.

Who should ask before booking?

Discuss suitability if you are pregnant, take medication that affects heat tolerance or hydration, have cardiovascular or blood-pressure concerns, reduced ability to sweat, a condition affecting temperature regulation, or are receiving treatment for a medical condition. Seek advice from your healthcare professional when appropriate.

Frequently asked questions

Does infrared sauna detox the body?

Your liver and kidneys perform the body’s main waste-processing functions. Sauna causes sweating, but it should not be described as a treatment that removes toxins or heavy metals.

Can infrared sauna make me lose weight?

It is not a fat-loss treatment. Sweating can produce a temporary fluid change that returns when you rehydrate.

How often should I use an infrared sauna?

There is no single ideal frequency. Start conservatively and base future sessions on tolerance, goals, health status and professional advice.

Should I shower afterwards?

You may shower for comfort and hygiene, but not because you need to wash away “toxins.” Rehydration is the more important aftercare step.

How much does it cost?

LondonCryo offers 25- and 45-minute sessions, singles and packages. Use the treatment page below for the current standard, couples and member prices.

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LondonCryo · St John’s Wood · London