Infrared sauna etiquette is mostly about hygiene, punctuality, privacy and using the equipment exactly as instructed. Arrive on time, follow the studio’s clothing and towel guidance, avoid oils or strongly fragranced products, respect the booked session length and leave the space ready for cleaning. If it is your first visit, ask rather than guessing.
This guide explains the practical expectations for a private infrared sauna appointment at Bodi Boutique in Millmerran. Procedures vary between venues, so the studio’s current instructions take priority over general sauna customs.
Before you arrive
Confirm the current session instructions
Check your appointment time, entry instructions, recommended clothing and what the studio supplies. A private infrared cabin is different from a communal gym sauna, and overseas sauna customs may not apply.
Avoid alcohol
Alcohol and heat are a poor combination because both can affect judgement, hydration and blood pressure. Do not arrive intoxicated or treat a sauna booking as part of drinking activities.
Come reasonably clean
Shower beforehand if requested and avoid arriving immediately after applying heavy body oils, fake tan or strongly fragranced products. Products can transfer to towels and cabin surfaces and may become uncomfortable as you warm up.
What should you wear?
Follow Bodi Boutique’s current guidance. Some private facilities allow swimwear or comfortable minimal clothing, while others have different requirements. Wear something clean, suitable for the setting and easy to change out of if it becomes damp.
Never assume nudity is appropriate. A private appointment still operates within a professional business environment.
Towel etiquette
Use towels as directed to protect seating and absorb perspiration. Sit or lie only where the provider permits, and do not place damp personal items on controls or electrical equipment. Put used towels in the nominated location after the session rather than leaving them on the floor.
Respect the appointment time
Arrive early enough to receive instructions without reducing your booked heat time. Finish when directed so you can cool down and the space can be cleaned before the next client. Extending a session without permission is both discourteous and potentially unsafe.
Using controls and equipment
Do not change heat, lighting, audio or session settings unless the studio explains that you may. Never pour water on infrared heaters. That practice belongs to certain traditional sauna arrangements and can damage equipment or create an electrical hazard in an infrared cabin.
Keep drinks in approved containers and avoid bringing glass into the sauna area. Leave phones and other electronics outside if instructed; heat may damage them and a quiet screen-free session is often more relaxing.
Hygiene and illness
Reschedule if you have a contagious illness, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever or another condition that makes a shared business environment inappropriate. A sauna is not a way to “sweat out” an acute infection.
Cover or disclose wounds and skin infections as appropriate, and contact the studio beforehand if you are unsure. Do not use the cabin in a way that creates avoidable cleaning or infection-control concerns for the next client.
Privacy and respectful behaviour
Do not photograph staff, other clients or private areas without permission. Keep conversations and audio at a reasonable volume. Respect boundaries during instructions and ask before bringing another person into a private booking.
During the session
- Follow the recommended introductory duration.
- Do not compete with previous temperatures or session times.
- Leave promptly if you feel dizzy, nauseated, faint, confused or unwell.
- Use the emergency or contact procedure explained by the studio.
- Do not bring alcohol, food or unapproved products into the cabin.
After the session
Stand up carefully, allow time to cool and change out of damp clothing. Drink according to thirst. Place towels and disposable items where directed and tell the provider about spills, equipment problems or an unexpected physical response.
Do not rush straight into strenuous exercise or drive if you feel light-headed. Wait until you feel settled and seek help if symptoms are concerning or persistent.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to shower immediately before the sauna?
Follow the venue’s instructions. Arriving clean and without heavy products is considerate even when an on-site shower is not required.
Can I take my phone inside?
Only if the studio permits it and the device manufacturer allows that heat exposure. Leaving it outside avoids damage and protects privacy.
Should I talk during a private sauna session?
A private booking is your own time, but keep audio and conversation appropriate for the surrounding studio environment.
Can I stay longer if I feel fine?
No. Finish at the agreed time. Feeling comfortable does not authorise an unplanned increase in exposure.
Plan your first visit
Read what to expect at your first infrared sauna session, see the current Bodi Boutique infrared sauna service, or book a wellness appointment in Millmerran.
Research and further reading
Further reading
Sauna etiquette also includes responding promptly to dizziness, weakness or feeling unwell. Healthdirect explains the risks of heat-related illness and dehydration.
About the author
Jazz Collier is the owner of Bodi Boutique in Millmerran and has worked in fitness and beauty since 2016. This article provides general information and does not replace individual medical advice.
