FAQ
The Pod is a Near-infrared sauna.
A near-infrared sauna is a soothing space designed to harness the therapeutic benefits of near-infrared light. It heats your body, inducing a sweat response and promotes relaxation.
The Pod utilizes specialized bulbs that emit near-infrared light waves. These waves are absorbed directly by your body, creating a comforting warmth that penetrates deep into your skin.
Near-infrared saunas differ from traditional saunas in their approach to generating heat. Traditional saunas use convection heat whereby either a heater element or a fire heats up the air or steam, which then heats your body. The Pod uses near-infrared light, which is radiant heat and it heats your body directly like the sun. Near-infrared saunas can operate at lower temperatures whilst still inducing a sweat response, making the experience more comfortable for many individuals. The near-infrared light penetrates the skin more deeply, offering potential additional therapeutic benefits.
The Pod has 4 x 250W bulbs (1kW). How much it will cost to run depends on a few factors, like what kind of electricity tariff you’re registered for, how much you use your Pod per month and how much electricity you use overall per month, as this effects your rate per unit of electricity. Let’s assume you are registered as a Home User, you use less than 600kWh per month and the Pod is on for 30min (10mins warmup, 20mins session) per day everyday of a 30day month – you would then pay R40.50/month. If you use more than 600kWh per month you would pay R55.50/month. *Although pre-heating the Pod can increase the ambient temperature inside the Pod, it is not neccessary to pre-heat the Pod, this was simply suggested for ease of calculation.
- When closed the Pod is 1100mm wide x 1600mm high. The depth without the feet (if using the wall-mounted bracket) is 280mm or 400mm with the Pod feet.
- When the Pod is open and in use, it has a depth of 1750mm.
Safety and Precautions
The Pod is a near-infrared sauna. Near-infrared saunas are generally considered safe for most people. However, it’s always important to listen to your body, build your heat tolerance slowly and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns.
We would advise pregnant women NOT to use the Pod. The NIR light is a little too harsh on the developing feotus.
While near-infrared saunas may be safe for older children, young children don’t sweat in the same way as adults and so cannot moderate their body temperature through sweat evaporation. For this reason young children should not engage in deliberate heat therapy and older children should be supervised at all times, limiting their heat exposure to a couple minutes at a time.
Infrared saunas emit lower intensity near-infrared light, so the exposure is typically considered safe. Some studies even show small doses of NIR light to be beneficial to the eyes. Nonetheless, it is still recommended to avoid staring directly into the bulbs.
It’s safe to look in the general direction of the lightboard provided the light doesn’t cause your eyes any discomfort. If you are light sensitive or concerned about your eyes, you can place a sleep mask or buff over your eyes, or simply keep them closed during your Pod session.
Individuals with certain health conditions, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, pregnancy, or specific skin conditions, should exercise caution or avoid using near-infrared saunas. It’s best to consult with a healthcare professional if you have any specific health concerns before using a sauna.
Individuals with the following specific skin conditions should exercise caution or avoid using the Pod:
- Active or severe eczema: The Near-infrared light in the Pod may exacerbate eczema symptoms, causing further irritation and discomfort.
- Open wounds or sores: The heat and sweating in the Pod may hinder the healing process and potentially increase the risk of infection.
- Severe sunburn: Using the Pod which generates heat, may worsen the symptoms and discomfort of a severe sunburn.
- Photosensitivity conditions: Some skin conditions, such as lupus or certain drug-induced photosensitivity reactions, may be aggravated by exposure to infrared light.
Potential Benefits
Immersing yourself in the Pod can bring about several potential
benefits, such as:
- Encouraging the release of toxins through the act of sweating
- Inducing a state of relaxation and reducing stress
- Boosting circulation and supporting cardiovascular health
- Easing muscle discomfort and aiding in recovery
- Potentially contributing to weight loss efforts
- Enhancing the health and appearance of your skin
- Supporting a potential boost to your immune system
Near-infrared saunas can contribute to the detoxification process by promoting
sweating. Sweating helps eliminate toxins and impurities from the body, potentially aiding in the overall detoxification efforts.
While near-infrared saunas may indirectly contribute to weight loss, it’s important to remember that individual results can vary. The heat generated during a session can potentially increase heart rate and metabolic activity, which may help burn calories. However, for optimal weight loss results, it’s advisable to combine sauna use with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
A typical near-infrared sauna session lasts between 15 to 30 minutes. However, it’s essential to listen to your body and adjust the duration based on your comfort level. Starting with shorter sessions and gradually increasing the time as you become accustomed to the heat is a good approach.
To get the best results, it’s recommended to have the NIR light directly touch your skin. We suggest going nude and using a sarong or towel around your hips to sit on during the session. This way, the NIR light can work its magic and give you the maximum benefits.
