The Alleve guide
to float therapy

DO:

• Eat a light meal approximately 2 hours before your session. We recommend waiting 3-4 hours after a large meal before floating.

• Drink a small glass of water before your float session and stay hydrated afterwards.

• Use the bathroom just before your session.

• Silence your phone to avoid any distractions during your float.

DON'T:

• Consume caffeine right before your float session. We recommend avoiding stimulants for 3-4 hours prior to your float to help you fully relax.

• Drink large amounts of fluids just before your session.

• Shave 24 hours before your float, as shaving can cause skin irritation.

We provide everything you need for a comfortable float experience, including earplugs, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, moisturiser, face wipes, a hair dryer, and hair straighteners.

If you’d like to avoid our £1.50 towel hire fee, feel free to bring your own towel.

You’re welcome to bring a swimsuit, though most people prefer to float nude, as fabric can feel restrictive or tight. You can also bring your own hairbrush/comb, slippers, or anything else that helps you feel at home.

Each guest is allocated 80 minutes in a private suite, which includes a changing area, shower, and float tank. This gives you plenty of time for a one-hour float session, as well as showering before and after.

We recommend that first-time floaters arrive 10 minutes early to complete any necessary paperwork and receive a brief introduction to floating.

After your float, you're welcome to unwind in our beauty room, where you can use our facilities to style your hair, apply makeup, and enjoy complimentary tea. To make the most of your visit and avoid feeling rushed, we suggest setting aside about 1 hour and 30 minutes for your experience.

Most people can enjoy floating, even those with health conditions. However, there are certain exceptions:

• Individuals with large open wounds or skin ulcers.

• Those with contagious diseases, including diarrhea or gastroenteritis.

• Anyone who has dyed their hair recently (hair must have been washed at least three times or until the colour stops running).

• Anyone who has received a new tattoo within the last 30 days or applied tanning products within the last 72 hours.

• Individuals with henna colouring in their hair or a henna tattoo.

• Those under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Individuals with uncontrolled epilepsy, serious heart or kidney problems, or severe psychological conditions.

• Individuals with mobility issues who are unsure about their ability to exit the tank independently. They are welcome to bring someone to assist them, as our staff can't provide physical assistance.

Additionally, anyone with a pacemaker, low blood pressure, or a serious heart or kidney condition should consult with a doctor before floating. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

For details on all requirements and restrictions, please see the full waiver and guidelines.

To protect the quality of our tanks and ensure your safety, we recommend the following guidelines:

Hair Dye:

If your hair dye is still running or staining towels, please wait until it settles—usually after 3-4 washes for brown hair. For red dye, a waiting period of at least 30 days is required. Please note that any damage to our tanks caused by hair dye may result in a charge of up to £850.

New Tattoos:

We suggest waiting 4-6 weeks after getting a tattoo before floating to avoid irritation and ensure proper healing.

Spray Tan:

Wait at least 72 hours after applying a spray tan before floating. The saltwater can strip the tan and affect water quality.

Hair Extensions:

Floating is generally safe with hair extensions. To protect them and prevent tangling, tie your hair up in a bun or braid, and rinse thoroughly after your session to remove any salt residue.

Keratin Treatments:

If you've had a recent keratin treatment, wait at least 4 weeks before floating, as the saltwater may affect the treatment. We recommend consulting your hairdresser if you're unsure.

Our float tanks are designed for individual use only, as float therapy is meant to be a solitary experience, allowing you to fully disconnect from external distractions, including other people.

However, we have two tanks available, so couples or friends can book simultaneous sessions and enjoy floating independently, but at the same time.

The water in our float tanks is only 25 cm deep—less than a foot—so if you're comfortable sitting in a bath, you'll have no trouble floating. You don’t need to know how to swim, as the water is saturated with Epsom salt, making it extremely buoyant. Everyone floats effortlessly, regardless of size or swimming ability!

A float session typically leaves people feeling deeply relaxed, though the effects can vary. Some individuals feel refreshed and energised afterward, while others may feel pleasantly tired, as if they've had a full night’s rest.

Every float experience is unique, so it's best to approach your first session with an open mind and no specific expectations. Floating is a skill that can take time to master, and during your initial session, you may find it difficult to fully relax or clear your mind. This is perfectly normal and part of the process.

The beauty of floating lies in allowing your mind and body to drift naturally, without forcing any particular outcome. We recommend floating at least three times to become fully acclimated to the environment and to experience the full benefits. Over time, you'll find it easier to relax and enjoy the experience as your body adjusts to the sensation of weightlessness.

You’ll experience benefits from just one float session, but to truly unlock the full potential of float therapy, we recommend at least three sessions. Each float session enhances the effects of the previous one, with stress reduction, pain relief, and improved sleep patterns becoming more pronounced over time.

While the effects of a single float can last several days, regular sessions—whether weekly or monthly—can help sustain these benefits, offering a deeper and more lasting impact on your overall well-being.

If relaxing doesn't come easily to you, you may find floating particularly beneficial. Learning to quiet your mind in the float tank can take a few sessions, but the rewards are substantial.

To help you ease into the experience, we offer a float cycle that includes a 20-minute guided meditation. This can provide a focus point for those with busy minds, aiding in relaxation and enhancing the overall benefits of float therapy.

It's quite common and perfectly safe to fall asleep during a float session. The water is only 25cm deep and contains a high concentration of salt, which increases buoyancy making it difficult to turn face-down.

During the last 5 minutes of your float session, music and lights will come back on, gently bringing you back around and preparing you to exit, even if you’ve fallen asleep.

Additionally, the water filtration system will activate, causing the water to move around the tank, which unmistakably signals that it’s time to leave. You won’t miss it!

We prioritise the cleanliness of our float tanks to ensure a safe and hygienic experience. After each client, the water undergoes a thorough filtration cycle, being filtered at least four times.

Our advanced filtration system uses a combination of a 1-micron filter, ultraviolet (UV) sterilisation, and hydrogen peroxide treatment to maintain the highest level of cleanliness. Additionally, the 450 kg of Epsom salt in each tank naturally inhibits microbial growth, making the water cleaner than typical swimming pools.

Between each session, the tank, room, and shower are thoroughly cleaned to ensure pristine conditions for every float.

Our float tanks are designed to feel spacious and comfortable. The doors are lightweight and easy to push open, and you’re welcome to leave them slightly ajar if that helps you feel more at ease. The tanks themselves are quite large, measuring over 2 metres in height, 2 metres in length, and 1.45 metres in width.

Many people with claustrophobia find that their anxiety eases once they see how roomy the tank is and how easily the door can be adjusted.

Yes, the float tank becomes completely dark, which is ideal for a full sensory deprivation experience. The darkness helps you disconnect and fully relax, and while it might feel unsettling at first, we recommend embracing it for the best results.

You have complete control over the lighting, with switches for the underwater lights and starlight effect ceiling. You can adjust the lights as needed throughout your session, customising the experience to your comfort level.

While you can technically float with your contacts in, we advise removing them before entering the float tank to prevent any discomfort or irritation. The high concentration of salt in the water may cause stinging or redness if it contacts your eyes. Additionally, the prolonged exposure could dry out the lenses, making them uncomfortable or causing them to adhere to your eyes.

Yes, it is safe to float while menstruating but you must take the same precautions as you would when swimming. Please use a tampon or menstrual cup during your float session to ensure cleanliness and comfort.

Yes, floating can be a wonderful way to support your pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters. The weightlessness of the float tank helps relieve pressure, easing discomfort and promoting deep physical and mental relaxation. It’s often described as a womb-like environment, offering comfort as the baby’s weight is gently lifted off the body.

Many of our members who have skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis find significant relief from symptoms thanks to the 500kg of high-grade Epsom salt in our float tanks. While floating is not a cure, it is known to help manage and alleviate flare-ups and outbreaks.

If your skin is currently experiencing a severe flare-up with open cuts or sores, we recommend waiting until your condition stabilizes before floating to avoid intense discomfort. For milder flare-ups, applying petroleum jelly to affected areas can help protect your skin from the sting of the salt. Generally, those with milder symptoms find that any initial stinging sensation in the tank usually subsides after about 10 minutes, often resulting in considerable improvement in their skin condition over time.

Floating can induce feelings of nausea or motion sickness in some individuals, particularly those who are prone to these conditions. To minimise discomfort, avoid sudden movements and splashing during your float session.

If you are susceptible to motion sickness, it's important to consider this before booking a session. On rare occasions, individuals may need to exit the tank early if they experience severe nausea.

We highly recommend wearing earplugs to protect your ears from saltwater, which can cause discomfort. We provide both foam and silicone earplugs in the float room.

If saltwater does get trapped in your ear, using a 50/50 solution of water and white vinegar can help. Simply apply the solution into your ear to dislodge the trapped water and clear any discomfort.