Most saunas do one thing: they make you hot. Restorative sauna therapy at Medilution brings three things together in one session: infrared heat, red light therapy and oxygen support, all running at the same time. This guide explains what each part is, what the session feels like, and who should speak to a doctor before booking.
In short
- One session, three parts: gentle infrared heat, red light and oxygen support.
- People book it to loosen stiff muscles, recover after activity, and switch off from stress.
- It is non-invasive and drug-free, and it sits alongside medical care, not instead of it.
- Heat is not for everyone. If you are pregnant, have a heart condition or take blood pressure medicine, check with a doctor first.
Three therapies in one session
You sit in a warm wooden cabin while all three run together. You do not have to move between rooms or book them separately.
Infrared heat
A traditional sauna heats the air, usually to between 70°C and 100°C. An infrared sauna warms your body directly, so the room can stay cooler, usually around 45°C to 60°C. You still get properly warm and you still sweat, but the air is easier to breathe, so most people can sit comfortably for longer.
Red light
Red light therapy, also called photobiomodulation, uses red and near-infrared light. It is painless and it does not use ultraviolet (UV) light, so there is no tanning or sunburn. Researchers are studying it for muscle recovery and tissue repair. You can read more in our guide to red light therapy.
Oxygen support
While you relax in the warmth and the light, oxygen support runs alongside. Our team will explain exactly how it works at your visit and check that it is suitable for you.
Why people come to us for it
Most of our patients tell us they book restorative sauna therapy because they want:
- Looser muscles. Warmth to ease stiffness and the aches of a long week, gardening or hours at a desk.
- Recovery. Time to rest and recover after exercise or physical work.
- Better circulation. Heat opens up the blood vessels and raises the heart rate, a little like light exercise.
- A clearer head. To leave feeling refreshed rather than drained.
- A calmer mind. Quiet time where the body can move out of high stress and into rest.
What the research says so far
Studies of regular sauna use, most of them on traditional Finnish saunas, have linked it with better heart health and feeling less stressed. Early research on red light suggests it may help muscles recover, but the studies are small and use different devices. There is not yet research on all three together. Regular sessions may help you feel better, but they are not a replacement for exercise, medicine or seeing your doctor.
Heat, light and quiet. Time for your body to rest and recover.
The Medilution team
What happens in a session
A quick health check
We ask about your health and any medicine you take, so we can check the session is suitable for you today.
Settle into the cabin
You change in private and sit on a towel on the wooden bench. The heat, red light and oxygen support are switched on together, and the warmth builds gently.
Relax and sweat
Sit quietly, close your eyes or breathe slowly. You can open the door and step out at any time, and you should drink water.
Cool down slowly
When your session ends, rest for a few minutes, drink more water and let your body cool before you get dressed and carry on with your day.
How long you stay in, and how often you come, is agreed with you when you book, along with the cost. First-timers usually start with a shorter session.
Thinking about restorative sauna therapy?Phone either branch and we will tell you whether it is suitable for you.
Talk to usHow to prepare and what to expect after
- Drink plenty of water in the hours before your session.
- Eat something light. Avoid a heavy meal just before.
- Do not drink alcohol on the day of your session.
- Bring a change of clothes.
- Tell us about any medicine you take, especially for blood pressure, your heart, or anything that makes your skin sensitive to light.
Afterwards, most people feel warm, loose and relaxed. Keep drinking water for the rest of the day. If you feel light-headed when you stand up, sit down again and take your time.
Who should check with a doctor first
Heat puts real demands on the body. For most healthy adults the session is a pleasant experience, but it is not suitable for everyone.
See a doctor first if
You are pregnant or may be pregnant; you have a heart condition, have had a heart attack, or have low or poorly controlled blood pressure; you have a lung condition; you take medicine that affects your blood pressure, heart rate or fluid levels, or that makes you sensitive to light; you have a fever or feel unwell; you have a condition that makes you sensitive to heat, or you tend to faint; or you have an implanted medical device.
If you feel dizzy, sick or faint during a session, leave the cabin straight away and tell a member of staff. In an emergency, call 10177, or 112 from a mobile phone.
Questions we get asked
Do I have to book the three parts separately?
No. Infrared heat, red light and oxygen support run at the same time, in one session.
Will sauna therapy help me lose weight?
You will weigh a little less straight after a session, but that is water lost through sweat, and it comes back as soon as you drink. It is not a weight loss treatment. If weight is your goal, ask us about a proper plan.
Does it clean out the body?
Sweating is mainly how your body cools itself down. Your liver and kidneys do the real work of clearing waste. We see the session as a way to relax and recover, not as a cleanse.
Is the red light safe for my skin?
Yes for most people. It does not use UV light, which is what causes sunburn. Tell us if you take medicine that makes your skin sensitive to light.
Can I use it if I have high blood pressure?
Please speak to your doctor first, and tell us about it when you book. Heat affects your blood pressure and heart rate, and some blood pressure medicines make that effect stronger.
Can I combine it with other treatments?
Yes. Some patients book it alongside other treatments at the clinic. Have a look at our services and ask us when you book, and we will plan the order with you.
Further reading
