Sun on the Run helps battle winter blues with red light therapy Cocoon sauna pods

Winter can be a tough time for many people in Indiana, between cold temperatures and darker days. Seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD, is a type of depression that can happen during the coldest months of the year. 

It's been speculated that the lack of sunshine and Vitamin D may set off chemical changes in the brain that lead to symptoms of temporary depression and spontaneous remission in the spring and summer. Some common symptoms of SAD include increased sleep, decreased energy, increased appetite with carbohydrate cravings. There are ways one can fight seasonal affective disorder, with light therapy and antidepressants that can help treat symptoms of SAD. 

Red light therapy, also known as red infrared light therapy, is a type of phototherapy that uses low-level wavelengths of light known to treat things like SAD, skin conditions, and other medical issues. The use of light therapy dates back centuries, however, red light therapy is a relatively new development. Red light therapy works when it comes in contact with the skin, increasing circulation and stimulating collagen production to help keep skin looking youthful and healthy.

Having more than just tanning beds at Sun on the Run, located at 1424 E. Ninth St. in Rochester, their Cocoon sauna pods are helping locals beat the winter blues. Their high-tech machine uses a combination of dry and infrared heat that warms the body from the inside, while offering vibrational massage to customers' back and legs.

Salon owner Alicia Slone said the Cacoon pod tends to be most popular in the winter months, but is also used year-round by customers for its benefits with assisting in detoxification through enhanced healthy perspiration, weight loss benefits, increase in muscle toning, energy, mental clarity and more. To receive the most effective results customers are encouraged to use the pod two to three times a week for the first four weeks, followed by one to two sessions per week after. Slone says each session is 20 minutes long. 

Slone and her husband, Brandon, recently purchased the salon in January from her husband's mother and stepfather, Deb and Terry Runkle, who had originally started the business in 2003. With spring break fast approaching, Slone said the business has seen an uptick in business at the walk-in tanning salon. Aside from the Cacoon pods, the salon also has 14 UV beds available to those looking for "sun on the run" for their skin. Slone said their newest updates were last weekend when they changed their hybrid bulbs with UV and red light. Hours for the salon are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Slone's expanded family business even further when their daughter, Carissa Slone, joined the salon by adding her services as a certified lash artist, with her business Winx Rochester Eyelash Extensions that's ran as a separate entity and by appointment only. For more information on how to book you appointment you can visit their website at https://sotrtan.com/eyelash-extensions.

To stay updated on specials and services at the salon you can follow both businesses on their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.