A friend first told me about the Olympus Spa, a Korean-style bathhouse for women, near Seattle. And then another friend mentioned it to me, and another...

I just had to explore this place. So, with permission from the Olympus, and each woman pictured, I ventured into the bathhouse with my Leica.

The photos were made on black-and-white infrared film, a proved challenge, because this film is subject to deterioration from heat and humidity.

Because water absorbs infrared radiation, the pools appear dark. Areas below the skin reflect radiation, causing some of the women's veins to be more visible.

This is especially noticeable in the spa's heated rooms, where temperatures rise to 170 degrees. You can literally see the blood circulate.