At Kelp Forest Wellness Collective, our Infrared Hemlock Sauna offers a dedicated, fully private sanctuary where you can step away from demands, control your sensory inputs, and safely let your body drop its armor.
If you have never used an infrared sauna before, or if the idea of booking a new space brings up anxiety about the unknown, this guide is for you. We have mapped out every single detail of how our Infrared Hemlock Sauna works so your brain can preview the entire experience with zero surprises.
WHY INFRARED HEAT MATTERS FOR THE NEURODIVERGENT NERVOUS SYSTEM
- Deep Cellular Warming: Unlike traditional dry saunas that heat the air around you, radiant infrared heat penetrates directly into your muscle tissues and joints at a gentler, deeply comforting level.
- Tailored Chromotherapy (Light Therapy): The built-in color-changing lights allow you to customize your visual environment. Soft blues and greens can soothe an overstimulated mind, while warm ambers provide a gentle, grounding atmosphere.
- Complete Sound Autonomy: Built-in Bluetooth connectivity means you can stream your favorite low-fi playlists, brown noise, a familiar podcast, or absolute silence, putting you in 100% control of your auditory environment.
- Ergonomic Support for Braced Muscles: Our hemlock wood backrest with dedicated lumbar support allows you to sit comfortably without placing extra strain on a tight lower back or tense neck.
IMPORTANT HEALTH & SAFETY BASELINES
While heat therapy is deeply healing for many, high temperatures place distinct physiological demands on the body. Sauna use is strictly prohibited or requires prior clearance from a physician for individuals meeting any of the following criteria:
Age & Medical Conditions
- Under the Age of 18: Individuals under 18 may not use the sauna, as younger bodies do not regulate heat and thermoregulation in the same way adults do.
- Pregnancy or Nursing: High heat can pose risks to fetal development and alter core body temperature rapidly.
- Electrical or Battery-Operated Implants: Anyone with a pacemaker, defibrillator, or other electrical/battery-operated implant should not use the sauna.
- Cardiovascular Issues: Including high or low blood pressure, a history of heart attack, angina, or other severe cardiovascular conditions.
- Active Illness & Injuries: Do not use the sauna if you currently have a fever, infection, open wound, or acute joint injury (within the first 48 hours).
- Neurological & Circulatory Conditions: A history of dizziness, fainting spells, heat insensitivity, narcolepsy, seizures, hemophilia, or other bleeding disorders.
- Conditions Affecting Sweating: Conditions that impair the body’s natural ability to perspire (such as Multiple Sclerosis, Central Nervous System tumors, or severe Diabetic Neuropathy).
Contraindicated Medications & Substances
Heat causes blood vessels to dilate and increases heart rate. Certain medications can interfere with your body’s ability to sweat, regulate temperature, or maintain stable blood pressure:
- Blood Pressure & Heart Medications (Beta-Blockers, Diuretics, ACE Inhibitors): Can impair natural cooling responses, increase dehydration, or cause sudden blood pressure drops (dizziness/fainting).
- Anticholinergics & Antidepressants (Tricyclics like Amitriptyline): Can directly inhibit sweating, leaving you prone to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
- Antihistamines (Over-the-Counter Allergy Meds): Can impair normal thermoregulation and sweating mechanisms.
- Transdermal Patches: High ambient heat accelerates the absorption rate of transdermal drug patches (such as pain relief or hormone patches), which can cause unsafe dosing.
- Alcohol, Recreational Drugs, & Heavy Meals: Do not consume alcohol or drugs immediately before or after your session. Avoid eating large, heavy meals right before stepping into the heat.
If you are currently taking any prescription medications or have concerns about a medical condition, please consult your doctor before booking.
OUR “NO-SURPRISES” SENSORY PROTOCOLS
Because unpredictable triggers can turn relaxation into sensory overload, we have built our setup around clarity and choice:
- 100% Private, Every Time: Our Infrared Hemlock Sauna is always a private session. It is designed for 1 person or up to a maximum of 2 people who are booking together. You will never have to share this space with strangers.
- Advance Booking Required: To ensure your sauna is perfectly warmed and ready the moment you walk in, this sauna must be booked at least 1 hour in advance to allow proper heating time.
- Full Temperature Control: The sauna operates between 120°F–150°F (48°C–65°C), and unlike fixed heaters, you are able to manually adjust the temperature to suit your exact heat tolerance.
- Total Environmental Control: You hold the reins to your sensory environment—adjust the heat, pick your color lighting, and connect your phone to the built-in Bluetooth speaker.
YOUR INFRARED SAUNA ROADMAP
When you book our Infrared Hemlock Sauna, you have complete privacy and control over your session.
1. ENTER & PREP
- Arrival: Check in at the front desk 5–10 minutes early, remove your shoes at the entrance, and put on sanitized slides, socks, or go barefoot. You can pay either before or after your session.
- Step Into Your Space: A staff member will direct you to your private infrared sauna room and ensure the room is set up for your session.
- Your Amenities Provided: Set out and ready for you upon arrival, you will find:
- 1 plush robe
- 1 large body towel
- 2 hand towels (one already placed on the bench to sit on, and one placed on the floor for your feet)
- 1 water jug and cup (please enjoy your water outside the sauna or keep it safely secured to stay hydrated!)
2. SHOWER & CHANGE PROTOCOL
- Pre-Sauna Rinse: Because this private suite does not have a shower inside the room, if you would like to take a pre-sauna shower, you are welcome to use our shower located in the dry cedar sauna before heading into your room. We provide our organic Seaflora Sea-to-Skin Body Wash, or you can bring your own!
- Undress inside your private sauna suite and put on a swimsuit, light sauna clothing, or wrap yourself in your towel.
- Put on your robe if you’d like (it’s completely optional!) and step into the infrared sauna.
- Position the hemlock wood backrest behind you to support your lower back and spine while you sit.
3. CUSTOMIZE YOUR SENSORY INPUTS
- Adjust the Heat: Set the temperature controls to your preferred comfort level within the 120°F–150°F (48°C–65°C) range.
- Set the Lighting: Cycle through the chromotherapy light settings to find the shade that feels most calming to your nervous system.
- Connect Audio: Pair your phone to the private built-in Bluetooth system to play your preferred audio anchors or relaxing music.
4. WRAP UP & REFRESH
- When your session concludes, put on your robe or clothes. If you’d like a post-sauna rinse, you can use the dry cedar sauna shower
- Place all wet towels, robes, and hand towels directly into the hamper.
- Get dressed, grab a post-session hydrator or smoothie at the front desk if you’d like, and complete your check-out!