The difference between a sauna and a steam room can be summed up in two words: dry and wet. Saunas provide dry heat, while steam baths generate wet heat.
Both open the pores, relax the muscles and help relaxation. Which one is right for you? It is mostly a matter of personal preference.
Heat baths, as they are also known, have positive effects on both the body and the mind. We will begin by learning about its origins and the benefits they bring us.
The steam bath has its origin in the 'Turkish Bath', which in Eastern countries is used as a ritual for the care of the body and mind, linked to the Muslim religion.
In Mexico we preserve the tradition of 'temazcalli' (from the Nahua root 'temaz', steam and ' calli', house), used by Mesoamerican cultures.
At present, the bath has controlled temperatures with clouds of hot steam that oscillate between 35 and 60º C; It is carried out in closed areas and conditioned with special materials that ensure its duration and low contamination.
The places and costs where this service is offered are very varied: they are in public bathrooms, hotels, spas, gyms, among others.
FUNCTION
In a traditional sauna, you start with a heater, which turns up the temperature of a pile of rocks, which radiate dry heat into the room.
In most saunas, you can pour water over hot stones to generate a little steam and increase humidity, though it's nowhere near the level of a steam room.
Saunas have a vent, usually located near the floor, next to the heater, it draws in fresh air, limiting moisture buildup.
There are also saunas that use infrared light.
Inside a steam room, a device called a steam generator boils water and releases it into the air.
Unlike a sauna, a steam room is almost airtight, so humidity builds up to 100%, here the air is so humid that water condenses on the walls.
EFFECTS
Saunas are considerably hotter than steam rooms, but due to the variation in humidity, the body cannot feel much of a difference.
A typical sauna can be set between 160 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit (around 70 and 90 degrees Celsius), with a humidity level of 5% to 30%.
Steam baths, meanwhile, peak at around 110 to 120 degrees (around 40 to 50 degrees Celsius), but the humidity prevents sweat from evaporating, leading to a greater feeling of heat in some people.
Hot dry or moist air always rises, so in saunas and steam rooms, the higher you sit, the hotter you get.
ANOTHER DIFFERENCE
The saunas are made of wood, because they get too hot; as metal benches or tiled walls inside a sauna can burn the skin.
In addition, wood absorbs moisture, which not only keeps surfaces cooler, but also repels moisture in the air.
In steam rooms, however, the high humidity and constant condensation would cause the wood to wear down quickly.
Steam baths are covered with non-porous materials, such as tiles, which can get wet without causing problems.
Self-contained units, such as those for home use, are often made of plastic.
Steam rooms often have sloped ceilings, so that water runs down the walls instead of dripping onto the occupants.
BENEFITS
Steam baths and saunas share some therapeutic benefits, above all, they both reduce muscle tension, aiding relaxation and general well-being.
The heat helps improve circulation and, of course, promotes sweating, which opens the pores and cleanses the skin.
Steam baths may be more comfortable for people with allergies or chest or sinus congestion.
Because of their saunas are the best option for people with conditions that can be aggravated by humidity, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
CONSIDERATIONS
Both types of baths are very similar, it is not recommended for the elderly, pregnant women, patients with heart disease or unstable hypertension, it also includes people with diabetes, glaucoma, epilepsy, hyperthyroidism and pulmonary tuberculosis, mainly.
Remember that by participating in hot baths, whether in a sauna or steam, your lifestyle will be healthier; the choice is yours, dry or moist heat.
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