Infrared, Red Light & Salt Therapy: A Game-Changer for Teen Athletes

Athletic teens push their bodies hard—after practice and games, recovery becomes everything. Infrared saunas combined with red light and salt therapies might offer a powerful, natural way to support recovery, mood, skin, and overall health. Let’s break it down and explain why it's worth considering… for teens and their parents.

Faster Muscle Recovery & Reduced Soreness

• Infrared saunas boost blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to sore muscles. They may reduce muscle soreness and enhance recovery—especially useful for teens training intensely.

• A study of teenage basketball players showed a single 20-minute infrared session lessened soreness and helped performance (like jumping) recover faster than passive rest.

Less Inflammation, Pain & Greater Flexibility

• Infrared heat helps reduce joint and muscle discomfort while gently warming muscles before activity—supporting flexibility and lowering injury risk. 

Skin Health & Teen athletes

• Infrared saunas promote better circulation and may boost collagen, helping clear and rejuvenate teen skin (great for acne-prone skin).

• Red light therapy targets cellular healing—promoting collagen and reducing inflammation, which can minimize acne scars and boost skin tone.

Better Mood, Focus & Sleep

• Heat from infrared saunas relaxes the body and lowers stress hormone cortisol—helping teens manage pre-game jitters or school stress. 

• Red light therapy supports sleep and may even help focus through gentle stimulation of mitochondria and circadian rhythm regulation.

• Rising BDNF levels—associated with learning and concentration—have been linked to heat exposure from saunas.

Improved Breathing & Endurance

• Salt therapy (often combined with infrared settings) can clear airways, reduce allergens, and enhance respiratory function—helping athletes breathe better and perform with more endurance.

Safe & Teen-Friendly When Done Right

• Infrared and red light therapies are generally safe for teens—but adult supervision matters.

• Experts recommend short sessions (around 10–20 minutes), hydration, gradual warming, and staying below 140 °F (~60 °C). 

• Red light devices are categorized as Risk Group 1, indicating they're among the safest therapies when used with proper eye protection and dose control.

• Always check with a pediatrician before starting, especially if teens have medical conditions. 

Why It Makes Sense for Teens

For active teens, combining infrared saunas, red light, and salt therapy offers a holistic boost:

• Recovers muscles faster

• Eases soreness and inflammation

• Supports clearer skin and confidence

• Enhances mood, focus, and sleep

• Improves breathing and endurance

Still, it’s key this approach is used sensibly—guided, safe, and tailored. Parents considering this for their teens should view it not as a cure-all, but a supportive recovery tool—complementing rest, nutrition, training, and medical advice.

At the end of the day, recovery is just as important as practice. Giving your teen athletes the chance to recharge with infrared heat, red light therapy, and salt sessions isn’t just a wellness trend—it’s a way to protect their growing bodies, boost confidence, and help them perform at their best. Parents, think of it as investing in their future strength and resilience.

💋 Roxie Rewind

(Chill out, power up, play on)