thermotherapy

Currently listening to: Say So – Doja Cat

Let me check my chest, my breath right quick (ha)
He ain’t never seen it in a dress like this (ah)
He ain’t never even been impressed like this
Prolly why I got him quiet on the set like zip

Ever since I was a child, my family has visited Korean spas whenever we were in the motherland. We would spend hours on end there. The spas were separated by gender, so my mom and I would head to the women’s bathing areas. Upon arrival, we were given a simple t-shirt, shorts, and a locker key. The clothes were worn only in the common areas where we ate, but inside the spa, we were completely naked.

Our routine started with a soak in the hot tubs to prepare for the massage—a wonderful mix of acupressure, stretching, and deep tissue techniques. Afterward came the exfoliation treatment. Layers of dead skin would scrubbed away, sometimes landing on my face.  It would disgust me and remind me of how dirty I was despite using a Korean mitt to scrub at home, it just was not the same.  Layers and layers of dead skin flying all over the place, I probably lost a pound of old cells during this process.  Once the treatment was done, my skin felt as smooth as a baby’s butt. We’d then head to the saunas, often filled with healing salts, to finish detoxing before enjoying delicious traditional Korean food in the common area with my brother and father.

Recently, I had the opportunity to try something new—a traditional Finnish sauna. It was my first time visiting a non-Korean spa, and I have to say, it was a fantastic experience. I’d rate it a 10 out of 10.

From the moment I entered, I was impressed. Each guest had their own private sauna room, which added a level of comfort.

Front entrance of the spa.
Inside the room, it featured a temperature gauge and chromotherapy options with six different colors to choose from, creating a calming ambiance.

Inside the sauna, there were hot rocks with a ladle and bucket for creating steam—a classic Finnish touch.

Information about the different types of sauna experiences and additional amenities available.

The experience was thoughtfully curated. They provided Evian mist spray (which I’m now obsessed with), as well as essential oil-infused cloths in lavender and eucalyptus. If I didn’t want to bring my phone into the hot sauna, I could opt to watch TV instead. Knowing the heat could damage my phone, I decided to enjoy a show instead. They had all the major streaming platforms available, and I ended up watching “White Collar” for the first time. Those 40 minutes went by with a quickness.

On days when I can’t make it to the spa or sauna, I use my infrared sauna blanket at home. It’s been a great addition to my self-care routine, helping with detoxification, circulation, relaxation, and even improving my skin. It’s a great way to unwind and treat myself.