Lisa’s journal · Light, water & wellbeing
Shine on.
Sunshower, infrared warmth and the way a bathroom makes us feel.
An idea I first wrote about in 2011 now has a very personal place in our working studio spa. Here is the story, and a closer look at the different technologies often grouped together as “light therapy”.
By Lisa Melvin, Founder · Updated 24 October 2026
Developed from Revealed, pages 27–29, and Lisa’s recent writing.
01 / The first conversation
A blog post.
A client’s idea.
In May 2011, I asked readers what they thought about tanning in the shower. The early Sunshower article was very much about that UV function. Two years later, a couple who had read it asked us to include a Sunshower in their bathroom.
The photograph here is from that early installation. Our interest continued to develop: by November 2013 I was writing about infrared comfort, training and creating spa experiences at home.
Read our brand relationship story →02 / Our working studio
Water, warmth
and atmosphere.
The studio lets us explore those ideas in a real setting. The Sunshower is incorporated into the shower, alongside AXOR and Bisazza mosaics. A working TOTO Flotation Tub adds a different bathing experience within the same spa room.
What interests me is how these choices fit into daily life. A well-placed panel, a comfortable bathing position and the quality of light can all affect how someone experiences a room. A photograph gives you a first impression; being in the space starts another conversation.
In Shine On, published in our 2025 magazine and blog, I explored the questions that arise about infrared and red light. This updated explanation keeps the categories clear and looks at what the equipment actually does.
03 / A clearer comparison
Similar words.
Different experiences.
“Infrared” describes part of the light spectrum. “LED” describes a light source. They are not opposites: some LED masks use near-infrared as well as visible red light. A glowing red panel alone does not tell you what a device does.
| The equipment | What it does | What to look at |
|---|---|---|
| Sunshower infrared | Infrared lamps provide radiant warmth within the shower. ONE is infrared-only; PLUS also has a separate UV function. | The chosen model, standing position, clearances and instructions. A shower heat panel is not interchangeable with an LED skincare device. Sunshower ↗ |
| LED masks & red-light panels | Skincare devices may use visible red light, near-infrared, or both. Photobiomodulation is the term used for this light-based approach. | The exact device and its evidence for the intended concern. Results and treatment settings vary; the colour of the light is not enough to compare products. American Academy of Dermatology ↗ |
| Infrared saunas | Infrared emitters warm the body in a sauna setting. The enclosed space and sustained heat experience differ from standing beside a shower panel. | Comfort, heat tolerance and the specific sauna. Evidence from a sauna study cannot automatically establish a benefit for another device. Mayo Clinic ↗ |
| SAD daylight lamps | Bright, visible light is used to simulate daylight. This is a different approach from infrared warmth or UV exposure. | NHS guidance specifies a UV-free lamp; 10,000 lux is standard. Discuss suitability with a GP before trying light therapy. NHS guidance ↗ |
And the UV option?
UV is a separate function on Sunshower PLUS models. It is not LED red-light therapy or a SAD daylight lamp. UV can harm skin and eyes, and a lower dose does not make exposure risk-free. Follow the model’s instructions, including eye protection, and get medical advice about suitability if you have a photosensitive condition or take medicines that increase light sensitivity. NHS sun-safety guidance ↗
04 / The Netherlands & winter light
Different kinds of light.
In the Netherlands, Dutch GP guidance describes daylight lamps for seasonal depression that can be hired or bought. These use bright, white light without UV.
That is a different experience from the infrared warmth of a Sunshower. Its manufacturer also distinguishes Sunshower from daylight therapy. Understanding the difference helps us ask the right questions when choosing equipment for a home.
05 / Lisa’s own experience
When comfort
became personal.
After a back spasm before a trip to France, I used the showroom spa alongside professional treatment and carefully supervised movement. The support of the TOTO bath and the Sunshower’s focused infrared warmth helped me feel more comfortable during those difficult days. I was able to travel five days later.
I used the infrared function for this routine, not UV. It made me notice details I had previously appreciated mainly as a designer: support, access and how easily an experience can become part of an evening.
This is my personal experience alongside other care, rather than evidence that a bath or panel treats an injury or produces a particular recovery time.
Read my full September 2026 article ↗06 / Designing it into the room
Begin with the person.
Then plan the details.
We start with the room and the way you hope to use it. Where will you stand? How does the panel sit with the glazing, controls and tile layout? What electrical provision and service access does the selected model need?
Recessed, flat-wall and corner-mounted options offer different possibilities. We coordinate those choices with the installer and the current product instructions. An existing photograph is an illustration of a completed setting, rather than a specification for today’s range.
Visit our Rugby studio to look at the working spa, or bring your plans so we can explore the possibilities together.
The reading behind the story
From our archive, and further reading.
Lisa’s original post · 2011 ↗
Sun Loving · 2013 ↗
Shine On · 2025 ↗
Beyond the Beautiful Bathroom · 2026 ↗
Explore Revealed magazine →
The current Sunshower collection ↗
Current product information and explanatory sources checked 24 October 2026. Studio shower photography: Ani Evans.