Let's talk about...
1. the difference between a sauna vs. steam room, and
2. which one is better
For detoxification, I'll point out why an infrared sauna might have an advantage over steam rooms and hot-air saunas.
Before you start reading, take the sauna vs steam room poll!
For starters...
Even though they’re both basically hot baths, a sauna uses dry heat and a steam room uses moist heat.
Saunas have very low humidity, which means they can be much hotter than steam rooms. They're usually between 80°C and 100°C, which is perfectly safe because they use dry heat.
A steam room is usually about 40°C. If the steam room was any hotter than that it could scald your skin!
That would probably ruin what should be a relaxing and pleasurable experience, you think?
Sauna vs. Steam Room Heat and Construction
Saunas and steam rooms are constructed with different materials because of their heating methods.
Traditional saunas are heated with stones placed on a heater - usually an electric or wood-burning heater. Steam is produced if you pour water over the stones. This raises the temperature in the sauna by several degrees, but the steam quickly dissipates.
Far infrared saunas use infrared heaters.
Steam rooms are heated with a steam generator. Steam is fed into an almost airtight room where it builds up to create a humidity level around 100%.
Saunas are usually made of wood and include wooden benches to sit on. (small portable "saunas" are an exception)
Steam rooms need to be designed to contain the moisture created by the steam. A material like ceramic tile is often used.
Also, steam rooms are built with a slanted ceiling most of the time to prevent the steam buildup from dripping onto the bathers.
Sauna vs. Steam Room Comparison - Which one is better?
This one is really a matter of personal preference, although some experts do favor one over the other.
(As you read you'll find a link to an article with views about this)
Sauna and steam baths both have therapeutic benefits.
They’re good for:
improving blood circulation
cleaning and rejuvenating the skin
easing muscle tension
promoting feelings of relaxation and well-being
enhancing detoxification processes
And my opinion? Simple... Taking saunas or steam baths is better than doing neither one at all.
What about you? Do you prefer taking saunas or steam baths?
Take a second to speak your mind!
Here are a few points about steam rooms...
1. Steam rooms feel hotter because your sweat doesn't evaporate and carry away heat.
I've heard people say that they sweat more in a steam room, but that's not true. It only seems that way because the sweat doesn't evaporate as it does in a sauna.
2. If you have respiratory problems like sinus congestion or asthma, you might prefer the moist heat of a steam bath. Steam inhalation is very effective against bronchitis, sinusitis and allergies.
3. A possible downside to a steam room is that it may be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria because of the warm, moist conditions. This isn't much of a concern if the steam room is properly cleaned and disinfected.
For a closer look at the benefits of a sauna vs. a steam room, you can read more about sauna benefits, then read about steam bathing benefits.
Here's some food for thought...
Steam rooms, hot-air saunas and hot tubs heat your body from the outside.
Infrared saunas emit far infrared rays which heat your body from the inside.
Many sauna researchers believe that this inside-out heating action provides additional benefits.
Sauna vs. Steam Room Maintenance
Both saunas and steam rooms are relatively easy to maintain.
A steam room can be washed with a ceramic tile cleaner, and the steam generator will require periodic draining.
The floor of a wood sauna should be cleaned once a week to once a month to prevent or reduce rotting. Oxiclean is good for removing bacteria and mold. The walls and ceiling don't need to be cleaned as often.
Sauna vs. Steam Room
Steam Room Benefits - effects on skin, muscle and joint pain, stress, and more...
Most people associate steam baths with relaxation or skin look-and-feel improvements, but steam room benefits may also include:
• relief from muscle tension and stiff joints
• boosting the immune system
• lymph detoxification
• blood circulation improvement
• sinus congestion relief
Regular use of a steam room can possibly improve your health andappearance. Read on to understand why...
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What benefits do you enjoy most from steam baths? Take a second toclick here and share with other readers of this site (opens a separate new window).
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Unique Steam Room Benefits
Both sauna and steam baths are therapeutic, but the high moisture content in a steam room is especially good for respiratory problems.
For generations, doctors have recommended breathing steam for all kinds of respiratory issues.
Do you have any respiratory ailments? Give steam bathing a try. You just might like the results.
Of course if you have high blood pressure or other conditions, make sure you consult your doctor first!
Steam baths have been proven to be effective for conditions such as...
• asthma,
• bronchitis,
• sinusitis, and
• allergies.
Steam can help clear allergens and mucus from your lungs.
Vaporizers don't compare. Why?
Because a steam room exposes you to a higher concentrationof steam, making it more effective for providing relief from breathing problems.
Breathing passages are soothed because of increased moisture content in your lungs, throat and nose.
Dr. Darrell L. Wolfe, Ac, Ph.D, wrote a good article about thetherapeutic health benefits of steam rooms.
A visitor of this site named Dustin swears by the benefits of steam bathing. He says it helps him stay well during the winter season. Take a second to readDustin's message and leave a comment (opens a new window).
Skin Benefits
Nothing is better for your skin than a heavy sweat.
Dermatologists recognize the value of steam in creating a beautiful, healthy glow.
Heavy sweating cleanses your skin more thoroughly than soap and water. How?
Because it opens your pores and allows deep-seated grime (yuck) and dead cells to be flushed out.
This is one reason steam baths can be helpful for acne treatment and some other skin conditions.
Also, the heat causes an increase in blood circulation, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to your skin surface. Over time, this can help contribute to a healthy, glowing appearance.
To better understand why a steam room benefits your skin, skim my short article --> Steam Rooms for Skin Care (opens a new window).
Pain Relief
Heat has been known to be effective against joint and muscular pain.
It causes your blood vessels to expand, which increases blood circulation.
As a result, more oxygen and nutrients can reach damaged parts of your body.
This has the double effect of temporarily reducing or stopping pain andincreasing your body's healing rate.
Spend 10 or 15 minutes in a steam room after you exercise for example, and you'll help speed up healing of damaged muscle tissue.
Goodbye Stress!
Many peoples lives are filled with stress, and we all know what stress can lead to...
• high blood pressure,
• cardiovascular disease,
• migraine headaches,
• muscle tension,
...and the list goes on.
Relaxing in a steam room is a great way to unwind and relieve stress.
The heat tells your muscles to relax, and the cloud of steam provides the perfect soothing atmosphere for calming your mind.
I can't sit more than two minutes in a steam room and not feel completely relaxed.
High stress levels is probably oneof the reasons more and more people are installing home steam rooms.
Have you ever taken a steam bath before bed? If so, you already know that it promotes deep, restful sleep which is so important for recharging your batteries and healing your body.
Spending time in a steam room regularly can quite possibly have a noticeable impact on your health, appearance, and your state of mind.
If you haven't already, please take a minute to share why you enjoy taking steam baths.
What are the benefits of Sauna Bath ?
Are there any real
health benefits of saunas?
According to many health professionals, sauna benefits include...
• a strengthened immune system
• improved blood circulation
• enhanced detoxification processes
• deep skin cleansing and rejuvenation
• tension and stress relief
And if you believe what many sauna sellers have to say, taking saunas is also the ultimate way to lose weight without lifting a finger. Oh, and they can cure every health issue known to man as well.
Yeah, right.
While the latter claims are greatly exaggerated, there does appear to be some convincing evidence and mounting research that substantiates many claims.
(Later I'll show you where you can read a few clinical study results)
So, are you wondering how an extra large ‘hot box’ made of wood can provide any true health benefits?
Well, read on...
How Does a Sauna Help You Detoxify?
Raising your body's temperature helps it kill bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses.
Dr. Lawrence Wilson has done a lot of research and testing with saunas. In his book Sauna Therapy, he wrote:
“Heating the body several degrees causes greatly increased
circulation as the body attempts to maintain its basal
temperature. This helps to dislodge toxins, especially from
hard-to-reach areas such as teeth, bones and sinuses.”
Liver and kidney function may also improve by taking saunas.
For more on this, read saunas and detoxification.
A Sauna Benefits Your Immune System...
By causing a ‘fever’. No, this doesn't mean that a sauna makes you sick. It sounds strange, but one way a sauna helps your immune system is by creating an artificial fever.
This sends a sort of wake-up call to your immune system. The result is an increase in the production of white blood cells and other disease fighting allies.
How a Sauna Benefits Blood Circulation
As your body increases sweat production to keep cool, your heart works harder pumping more blood at a greater rate. This actually provides many of the conditioning benefits of aerobic exercise.
Please note that I didn't say saunas can replace exercise, but the heat does provide an environment that causes a profound cardiovascular response.
Dr. Andrew Weil is a highly respected holistic practitioner and true expert in health and wellness. Here's an excerpt from a comment he made about the sauna effect:
"When you take a sauna, the heat pumps up blood circulation
near the skin and stimulates sweating. The Finns say a
proper sauna elicits about a quart of sweat per hour. I
generally encourage sweating. It helps the body rid itself
of unwanted materials and improves general circulation."
Good blood circulation helps...
transport nutrients throughout your body
eliminate toxins
improve heart, liver, and kidney function
improve virtually every function in your body
Good circulation is obviously crucial for us to stay healthy, right?
A Sauna May Improve Skin Appearance
Shortly after my very first 15 minute long "bake" session, I knew that I did something good for my skin. I felt very fresh, alive and tingly all over.
That feeling was different from taking a shower or bath.
While a shower rinses dirt off your body’s surface, the sweating created in a sauna rinses out your pores.
A heavy sauna induced sweat really helps cleanse and rejuvenate your
skin - much more than just a bath or shower alone.
And I don't believe any of those 'miracle' creams you see advertised can cleanse your pores as deeply as a sauna either.
Tip: For really healthy skin, try combining sweat bathing and brushing with a loofa or rough brush. This removes flakes of dried skin cells that accumulate on the epidermis. If allowed to remain, they can clog sweat pores and oil passages and result in dry, flaky skin.
For a few more details, see the article on saunas and skin care.
There Are Skeptics
There's also skepticism about the true benefits of saunas. For instance, here's a quote from an article by Craig Horswill, Ph.D:
"Contrary to popular belief, sweating does not "purify" the
body of contaminants; rather it is the liver and kidneys
that do that dirty work. The only purpose for sweating is
to cool the body."
The article is pretty long, but if you're interested you can read it here.
I'm a believer...
After spending many hours reading about this, I personally became convinced that saunas can help you do more than just "take a load off". It appears that the extreme heat and heavy sweating created in a sauna can help create a healthier inner "you".
(Please note that I said saunas can "help" create better health. It may effectively do this along with regular exercise, drinking lots of water and eating healthy foods most of the time)
I'm sure there are more doctors that agree with Dr. Horswill, but there are also doctors and health practitioners who would strongly disagree.
Sherry Rogers, M.D., along with Dr. Lawrence Wilson, are just two of those doctors that are very strong advocates for sauna usage. They feel that nearly everyone could and should make sauna a regular part of their lives.
Sherry Rogers wrote Detoxify or Die and Dr. Wilson is the author of Sauna Therapy.
WARNING: For certain health issues, your doctor should be consulted with first before making sauna bathing a regular part of life.
The Hype
Unfortunately, there are many dealers that make exaggerated claims about sauna benefits.
One of these claims is that saunas help you lose weight.
I see things like "lose X number of pounds per week without doing any exercise."
It bothers me to read things like that.
Yes, taking a sauna does increase your metabolism and help burn calories, but a sauna is absolutely, positively not a replacement for good nutrition and exercise!
Nevertheless, there appears to be strong proof that most people really can benefit from regular sauna use.
What is Chilled Shower?
Chilled water pressure bath rejuvenates the body after a hot sauna or steam bath. The water temperature maintained is 5 Dig C. to 10 Dig C.
Hot Sauna or Steam open the pores of the skin and Pleasure Shower cleans the skin & contracts the pores back to normal leaving behind a soft smooth, clean skin and a refreshing feeling.
Research indicates that chilled water bath provides muscle simulation and also enhances mental ability reducing stress level.
What are the benefits of Jacuzzi ?
Most people enjoy a good soak in a Jacuzzi. It can be used for relaxing with a spouse or as part of fun party. Sometimes, one can even enjoy just relaxing by himself to get the kinks out of his aching body. Hot tubs provide many more health and social benefits.
Family Bonding
Soaking together in a Jacuzzi is an enjoyable way to bring the family together to spend time with one another. You can converse with your spouse and your children about their days without the interruptions of today's technology, like cell phones and computers.
Stress Reduction
The adjustable pressure in the jets of a Jacuzzi provides a hydrotherapy massage for your muscles and joints that can range from gentle to a deep massage. That can help ease away stress. According the National Sleep Foundation, just soaking for 15 minutes in a Jacuzzis can ease some stress and help you fall asleep faster.
Healing Arthritis
In her study, "Hop in the Hot Tub---It's Good For Your Joints," RN Debra Wood states that the warmth of the hot tub loosens joints and makes it easier for you to be more mobile, even if you suffer from arthritis.
Helps Injuries
Once the initial inflammation has subsided from an injury, the heat from a Jacuzzi can speed healing by minimizing muscle tension and increasing joint mobility.
Reflexology
Reflexology uses specific foot jets in the Jacuzzi to target pressure points, which minimize nervous tension through the touch of just one finger. They apply this especially to the feet. That's because the feet have over 7,000 nerves in them.
About Jacuzzi
There's nothing like going to a hotel and finding out you are in the jacuzzi suites! Of course, many people request this when traveling. Jacuzzis can take away a lot of stress and worry just in a few minutes time. Jacuzzi tubs can be added to your home as well giving you a great place to unwind after a long day. A jacuzzi tub is normally larger then the average bathtub and requires a lot more knowledge to install. Obviously, the wiring and power to the jacuzzi is important and should be handled by a professional.
So, where to start? Start by knowing what you can afford and how much room is available to you. Jacuzzi's come in many different shapes and also in different qualities. Some often fit the corner of a bathroom as opposed to along a single wall like most bathtubs. This can give you added space in a small bathroom. Finding the right jacuzzi isn't all that hard. Most major home improvement stores will have a selection to start to look at. If, you are not satisfied with the selection there or would like more options, check into specialty stores for more choices. Often times, these places will also offer installation as well. Beware of the extra costs for installation though. Home improvement stores also offer jacuzzi parts if the need arises as well. But, make sure to keep your warranty and guarantees safe since these parts will undoubtedly be expensive if they are not covered by your policy.
Jacuzzi's aren't just found in your local jacuzzi spas anymore. Jacuzzi's have long been known for the way the relax and help us unwind. Having one at home will not only help you unwind from a long day, but it gives you an extra measure of privacy not found in jacuzzi spas. While this investment can be costly, it can have great long term benefits for the owner. It is an investment in your home as well as your health. And the process is not that difficult in finding one that suits your needs
Construction of Sauna Room
Fixed sauna is constructed with highest quality (imported) treated & seasoned pinewood. The wooden panels used have tongue and groove joints that take care of expansion and contraction as compared to flat panels used by other manufactures.
A special Sauna Door capable of withstanding extreme variations in temperature between the inside and outside surfaces is provided.
What is Sauna Bath?
A sauna is a small room designed to be heated to very high temperatures, with well-controlled humidity. Saunas are used both for recreational and therapeutic purposes, with most people utilizing them as a relaxation tool that provides additional health benefits.
The majority of saunas are built of wood, often aromatic, that release pleasing aromas as they heat.
There are two main types of saunas: dry and wet. Which type you prefer is just a matter of taste. Wet saunas are sometimes called steam rooms, and are kept at lower temperatures than their dry counterparts--usually between 100-115 Fahrenheit (37-46 Celsius).
This, to prevent the superheated water from scalding the skin on contact. Dry saunas may be kept at much higher temperatures of up to 250 Fahrenheit (121 Celsius), by keeping the ambient moisture down to nearly zero
What are the benefits of Steam Bath ?
Steam baths have been around for centuries, and are a common feature of gyms, health spas and clubs. However, surprisingly little is known about the numerous benefits steam baths offer.
Immunity
Taking a steam bath regularly helps boost your immune system. An artificial fever is induced as the body temperature rises high. This rise in body temperature destroys most bacteria and viruses in the body, and it stimulates the immune system to mobilise its own forces.
If a steam bath is taken at the onset of a cold, it helps ward off potential flu. However, it will not cure a cold, although it provides relief and opens up the nasal passage. At 106 degrees pneumococcus, a bacterium responsible for pneumonia, dies.
Cancer
Malignant cells are also destroyed at temperatures of 106 to 110 degrees F. In addition, the generation of antibodies speeds up, as does the production of interferon, an anti-viral protein that also has powerful cancer-fighting properties.
Toxins
Steam and sauna bathing is one of the simplest and most comfortable ways to rid the body of accumulated toxins as perspiration helps eliminate waste products and accumulated toxins and a steam bath is a powerful perspiration inducer. More than common waste products are secreted through the skin.
When heavy smokers sit in the steam room, a yellow residue is sometimes noticed on the towels! Taking a steam bath after a massage helps get rid of those toxins that have been dislodged by the massage.
Relaxation
Steam penetrates your entire body and eases tired muscles from head to toe. It also provides relief from stress. A steam bath followed by a warm shower prepares you for a good night's sleep.
Circulation
Steam increases blood circulation. It also has cardiovascular benefits as it increases the pulse rate without increasing blood pressure. This is because the blood vessels expand due to the heat and can accommodate the increased blood flow.
What is a Steam Bath?
A steam bath opens pores, soothes sore muscles, increases circulation, and provides a generally relaxing and healthy experience. People have indulged in steam baths for centuries, as the has practice spread across and among continents.
Now, modern technology has enabled the installation of efficient, carefully controlled baths at spas, fitness centres, meditation rooms, and in personal residences.
For a very wet and hot health treatment, people often seek out a peaceful steam bath. This usually takes place in a sealed room with wooden benches, similar to a sauna, which is kept at an even temperature and filled with mist.
There is a narrow range of optimum temperature for humans, around 112° F (44° C), that raises our body temperature without causing overheating. The circulating vapor must be replenished so the humidity remains near saturation for maximum benefits.
You may find a steam bath at your yoga studio, local spa, health clinic, or stand-alone establishment that may also have hot tubs, saunas, or wading pools.