I still remember my introduction to contrast therapy in St. Pete, Florida. I was walking around Central the morning after completing my first half marathon, my body aching and exhausted from the race. I had heard about the restorative benefits of sauna and cold plunges, and I figured there was never a better day to try it.

I fell in love instantly. I still remember walking out of that studio feeling lighter, looser, and  re-energized. Since that day, the sauna has been a non-negotiable part of my weekly routine.

But as my love for the sauna grew, I noticed a frustrating reality: the intense temperatures left even freshly washed hair feeling frizzy and dry. I sought out sauna hats to protect my hair, only to discover they all shared a fatal design flaw. They protected the scalp but flared outward at the base, leaving large amounts of hair completely exposed. I even noticed brands showcasing their hats with the model's hair hanging out, completely contradicting the goal of hair protection.   

As someone who cares deeply about her curls and has slept in a silk bonnet for years, partial protection felt unacceptable. I was inspired to engineer a solution that treats hair care as an essential part of recovery. That realization became the genesis of SOLAS and The Canopy.

- Ria