The Korean Spa - Where I do my French Fry Imitation
January 27, 2010 8:41 AM Subscribe
There's an "infra-red" area at the local Korean Spa/Bath House. What's up with that?
I enjoy visiting a local Korean Spa in the burbs. The hot & cold pools, the steam room, the massages etc are fabulous and things I have enjoyed at other spas. One thing that is new to me though is the "infra red area" which is a little marble tiled platform over which there are several lights which have a nice, warm pinkish-orange glow. It's quite pleasant to sit or lie on a towel and bask & I figured the benefit comes from being warm under a pleasant colored light. Apparently there are some though who believe that this is (a) harmful, like a tanning bed or (b) a healthful cure for a host of ills. I'm very dubious, but could be wrong. Science-minded mefites, am I missing something here? Will I burn to a crisp or be cured of anything from cellulite to future arthritis? Or can I continue to relax like a hashbrown waiting for pick-up?
I enjoy visiting a local Korean Spa in the burbs. The hot & cold pools, the steam room, the massages etc are fabulous and things I have enjoyed at other spas. One thing that is new to me though is the "infra red area" which is a little marble tiled platform over which there are several lights which have a nice, warm pinkish-orange glow. It's quite pleasant to sit or lie on a towel and bask & I figured the benefit comes from being warm under a pleasant colored light. Apparently there are some though who believe that this is (a) harmful, like a tanning bed or (b) a healthful cure for a host of ills. I'm very dubious, but could be wrong. Science-minded mefites, am I missing something here? Will I burn to a crisp or be cured of anything from cellulite to future arthritis? Or can I continue to relax like a hashbrown waiting for pick-up?
Best answer: I have one of these in my bathroom for when I step out of the shower. It's nice.
posted by rokusan at 8:54 AM on January 27, 2010
posted by rokusan at 8:54 AM on January 27, 2010
Infra red sauna penetrates deeply into tissues and promotes circulation, this is a good thing.
posted by hortense at 9:11 AM on January 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by hortense at 9:11 AM on January 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
That is to say, it's no better or worse than being in a warm room.
posted by bonehead at 9:15 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by bonehead at 9:15 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks guys for confirming that. It feels nice but it also feels like a glorified fried chicken warmer (mmmm, fried chicken!) which will not sadly give me radioactive super powers.
posted by pointystick at 11:37 AM on January 27, 2010
posted by pointystick at 11:37 AM on January 27, 2010
Koreans also believe that infrared kills bacteria, don't know that this
area would be for that though you might also find it in areas above towels
or drinking cups for this purpose.
posted by manwoo at 3:09 AM on January 28, 2010
area would be for that though you might also find it in areas above towels
or drinking cups for this purpose.
posted by manwoo at 3:09 AM on January 28, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by sexyrobot at 8:49 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]