[In-Depth Look] Special Healing for My Tired Eyes: 'Relax Eye Sauna'

by Lee Seonae

Published 20 Jun.2020 10:15(KST)

[In-Depth Look] Special Healing for My Tired Eyes: 'Relax Eye Sauna'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] Everyone has at least one occupational hazard. Designers who have no choice but to use keyboards and mice for long hours always suffer from wrist numbness, and medical staff who work overnight shifts often lose sleep. Reporters also have occupational hazards. Carrying a laptop charger on the shoulder causes muscle pain, and frequent reporting and commuting make the legs swell easily. But among them, the worst occupational hazard is always eye fatigue from working long hours staring at a laptop monitor.

Recently, a friend recommended a newly released heated steam mask product to the reporter who complained of discomfort due to dry and stiff eyes. It was Meditherapy’s new product, the ‘Relax Eye Sauna.’ According to the friend who purchased it after seeing the product’s advertisement on social networking services (SNS), the Relax Eye Sauna provides extreme moisture to the eyes by inserting a high-moisture pad. Although there is a common saying, “Advertisements on SNS are not to be trusted,” the friend’s strong recommendation to use the Relax Eye Sauna to improve quality of life opened the reporter’s wallet.

The Relax Eye Sauna comes in a box containing 7 pieces. Each is individually packaged in a palm-sized, portable form to enhance hygiene and ease of use. The usage is simple. Open the insertion part of the Relax Eye Sauna eye mask, insert the high-moisture pad, and wear it so that the white side touches the eyes.

According to Meditherapy, the Relax Eye Sauna maintains an average temperature of 42 degrees Celsius with heated steam for more than 20 minutes. The heating element containing iron, salt, and mineral water generates heat upon contact with oxygen in the air, melting the oil glands on the eyelids and forming an oil layer that protects the eyes from tear evaporation. Additionally, it is the first heated steam eye mask in Korea to be worn with a high-moisture pad, delivering intense moisture to the eyes. The high-moisture pad, made of a mesh-like breathable material, contains hyaluronic acid, which is effective in moisture absorption, directly supplying moisture to the eyes.

Using it with some skepticism, the reporter initially felt nothing. Just when thinking “I’ve been fooled by SNS again,” warmth spread around the eyes, and within 2 to 3 minutes, a hot sensation spread across the entire eye area. Like having a sauna, the warmth and heat slowly relieve eye fatigue. Especially, the moisture in the high-moisture pad spreads throughout the eyes, providing long-lasting hydration as if artificial tears were applied. Other products sometimes felt somewhat drying due to the heat, but the Relax Eye Sauna maintains both warmth and moisture after wearing.

The warmth lasted for more than 30 minutes. After that, the heat gradually faded and the pad slowly cooled. Although 42 degrees Celsius is an appropriate temperature that does not harm the skin, there was some concern about the risk of low-temperature burns. Meditherapy explained that unlike other products, the Relax Eye Sauna uses a high-moisture pad to prevent the heating element from directly touching the eyes, serving as a double protective barrier. Also, it was developed with a ‘steam heating design’ where steam is generated as the high-moisture pad heats up, reducing temperature risks and enhancing safety.

As the product name suggests, the Relax Eye Sauna helps the entire eye area to ‘Relax.’ It is expected to be useful for office workers and students who have increased their use of electronic devices such as smartphones and computers due to recent remote work and online schooling. It also adds a subtle cedarwood scent reminiscent of a forest, allowing users to enjoy healing. If you want to provide healing to dry and tired eyes, it is recommended to try the Relax Eye Sauna.