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Questions about infrared saunas

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Posted 4/9/2017 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
I've done it three times now. First time 10 minutes, felt great. Second and third time did 20 minutes, felt tired, but good. This last time I went, I tried a new place and one of the massage therapists told me NOT to shower after. The place didn't have a shower anyway, but after I felt SOOOO gross. Her rationale was that you don't want to absorb the chemicals from the city water. Los Angeles water isn't great, but it's not the worst. I kept thinking I was re-absorbing the detoxed sweat and it was freaking me out. Anyway, is there some kind of rule about this?

Second question: How often should I do these saunas?
Posted 4/9/2017 5:49 AM (GMT 0)
Buy a De-chlorinator shower head filter so you can shower with confidence.

At least once a week. Try to work up to a minimum of 30 minutes. At the 25th minute try massaging the muscles and help more toxins get removed while the pores are open. Makes a difference for me.

Rehydrate by drinking plenty of water while in the sauna.
Posted 4/10/2017 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I did 25 minutes today and felt OK right after, but then was REALLY tired. In the evening, the knees and feet are very painful, burning. Guess I'd better stick to 20 minutes for a while. Another lesson in taking it slow.
Posted 4/10/2017 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Daisies is correct. It's important to do the continual towel blotting to keep toxins from reabsorbing.

I do not shower afterwards, but I also sauna at night when our day is done. I honestly feel cleaner coming out of the sauna. I get tired from it and some days I can stay in longer than others.

Daisies, that "off" feeling you describe is the sauna working. Be mindful of it and don't try to push thru it too intensely smile - It still does happen to me after all these years of using it, and that feeling is a sign that you've had enough right then.

KristenBee - fatigue is very normal. Your body is working. That's another reason why I do my saunas at night. I know a lot of folks don't have that opportunity which makes it tough to finish your day.
Posted 4/10/2017 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
I've only tried the sauna for once and I felt awful for a few days. I don't know if that's a good sign and I means I really need it, or if I shouldn't be doing it. I know they're integral in acdetox routine for Lyme, but I'm still pretty new in my treatment. I definitely think showering afterwards is a good idea though.
Posted 4/10/2017 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Healingdaily - welcome to the community. Your reaction likely means you did way too much for your first time. You should start out at very low heat and also very short time. 3-5 minutes even. Build up slowly to your tolerance.

The reason it is recommended to not shower is toxic water and also your pores are still so open that you ultimately push toxins back in. When I come out, I blot dry with a towel and move on with my evening. It's not the same sweat as happens when you exercise. You are actually cleaner when you come out of the sauna then when you come out of the shower.

I do what my doctor recommended 17 years ago, which is do not shower immediately afterwards. I am totally fine with it, and love how I feel afterwards.

but we are all different and have different needs. If not showering is uncomfortable for some then by all means shower. Just use a filtering system for clean water and don't use chemical soap or shampoo.
Posted 4/10/2017 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
before you sauna, def drink a LOT of water and during and after. Best to drink a coconut water or water with electrolytes. I learned the hard way when I don't hydrate enough. I get massive headaches.
Then post sauna, I don't shower right away. Just towel off. Yeah it's gross but how about a wet wipe(baby wipe) Then eventually I take Epsom salt bath to clean off.
I started at 15 mins eventually worked my way to 30 but in small increments with breaks in between.
My ex husband can go the furll 45mins to almost an hour without a break. He's healthy unlike me. He gets no headaches and doesn't have to overhydrate compared to me.\
To answer your question: I went 1-2x week it was quite a trek for me.
I'm waiting for my own sauna to be delivered next month.
I heard you can do it every day. I'm aiming for that
Posted 4/10/2017 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi HealingDaily!
Welcome to our community! I'm so glad you found us.

Even though you are not 'new' to Lyme, I would encourage you to read through our "New to Lyme?" thread as it's packed with helpful information.

As 3humpedcamel said, your reaction is likely because you stayed in too long, or maybe you weren't hydrated enough. It's important to be sure you are well hydrated before using a sauna and to continue to really drink a lot of water while you are using the sauna as well.

We look forward to getting to know you! Please do ask all the questions you need to!
Posted 4/10/2017 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
You can add 1/4 tsp himalayan salt to water to replenish electrolytes also, without getting into the sugary beverages. It's also really inexpensive, LoL.
Posted 4/11/2017 3:18 AM (GMT 0)
I am an American Finn and grew up with a sauna. So I am used to them. Now I have an infrared sauna at home and in order for me to sweat I have to drink at least 16 to 20 oz. of water with sea salt added, then a hot shower before I get in the sauna. I also dry brush before getting in the shower. Prior to showering I turn the sauna up as high as I can and after 30 minutes I start to sweat. I then sweat like a pig for 20 minutes. I also take water in the sauna with me. I shower after, first with as cold of water as I can stand to close my pores and improve my lymphatic system and then with warm water when I wash and shampoo. I have read that it's important to get the toxins off your skin before you reabsorb them. That's what we always did as kids too so I guess I'm just used to that. In the summer we would jump in the lake.

I am always exhausted after my sauna which is why I try to do it close to when I go to bed. Sometimes I enjoy my time and other times it's torture. But I always feel better the next day. I try and do it between three and four times a week.

I think it's a good suggestion to work up your time in the sauna. My husband can only handle it for 20 minutes. I know you can buy wipes that are just for washing off. My son had to use them after he had surgery and couldn't bathe for two weeks. That might work if you're not at home. I can understand about LA water, don't they have a name for it like LA milk?

I would encourage you to stick with it. It gets easier (most of the time) and really helps you detox. Also, remember to hydrate afterward as well. I can see people getting headaches from dehydration.

You know you can buy inexpensive ones on Amazon. That way you could shower at home. Here is a link

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_2?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ainfrared+sauna&page=2&keywords=infrared+sauna&ie=UTF8&qid=1491880623&spIA=B011Q04ZVW,B00H1E0DZ0

ALEKO PIN11BKBL Personal Folding Portable Home Infrared Sauna w/ Folding Chair and Foot Pad, Black w/ Blue Trim Color

I know there are others if you investigate.
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