Why Red Light Therapy + Infrared Sauna Is the Wellness Reset We All Deserve
I may still be pregnant right now (and currently more swollen potato than glowing wellness queen), but you better believe I’ve been daydreaming about that first post-baby infrared sauna session. The sweat. The red light glow. The 40 minutes of silence.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how red light therapy and infrared sauna together are one of the most underrated wellness duos. It’s not just about relaxing—it’s about recovery, energy, skin, and mood. And as someone about to go through another major physical transition (hi, postpartum), I cannot wait to get back to the magic of pairing these two.
Let’s break down why this combo is so good—especially for women who need their self-care to do something.
First, What Even Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy (RLT) uses low-wavelength red light to stimulate your cells. It’s not hot like a sauna, and it doesn’t burn your skin. Instead, it penetrates deep enough to help with things like:
- Boosting collagen production (hi, glowy skin)
- Speeding up muscle recovery
- Reducing inflammation
- Supporting mood and energy (hello, mitochondria—the powerhouse of the cell, remember her?)
Basically, it gives your cells a pep talk so they can do their job better.
And Infrared Sauna?
Infrared saunas heat your body from the inside out using—you guessed it—infrared light. Unlike traditional saunas that feel like you’re baking in a pizza oven, infrared is a gentler heat that allows you to sweat more deeply and detox more efficiently. Benefits include:
- Reduced stress and better sleep
- Deep detoxification (we’re sweating out more than just that oat milk latte)
- Pain relief
- Boosted circulation
- Increased metabolism
It’s like a full-body reset button—and yes, you will feel better afterwards.
Why Combine Them?
Okay, here’s where it gets good.
1. Amplified Recovery: Red light calms inflammation and promotes healing, while the sauna flushes out the junk your body doesn’t need. It’s like one is decluttering your house while the other is restocking it with fresh flowers.
2. Better Skin (Without 17 Products): Sauna opens your pores and boosts circulation. Red light tells your skin cells to ramp up collagen and elastin production. Together? Natural glow. No filter required.
3. Double the Mood Boost: Sauna sessions help your body release endorphins. Red light supports your cellular energy. That combo can lift a foggy brain, fight seasonal blues, or just make you feel like you’ve actually got your life together.
4. Hormonal Support: If you’re postpartum (hey, same), red light therapy may help with thyroid function, while infrared sauna helps regulate cortisol. In English? It helps your body chill out and function better.
5. Efficiency Is Queen: If you’re a busy human (or mom, or both), stacking red light before your sauna session means you’re getting maximum benefit in minimal time. We love a smart multitask.
How to Do It Right
I keep it simple: I pair them together during my infrared sauna sessions at Perspire Sauna Studio. Their saunas have a built-in red light therapy bar, so I’m getting the benefits of both at once—no extra appointments or steps. Just 40 minutes of sweating, glowing, and letting my body reset.
Final Thoughts
Wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s just showing up, getting in a sauna, standing in front of a red light, and letting your body do what it’s designed to do.
Pairing red light therapy with infrared sauna has become one of my favorite non-negotiables—not because it’s trendy, but because it actually helps me feel like myself again.
So if you’ve been on the fence, consider this your nudge. Your body (and mood, and skin, and sleep) will thank you.
