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Sauna vs. Steam Room
The Benefits of the Sauna vs. Steam Room
Sauna vs. steam room is an argument that some people
think is simply a non-issue because they assume the two terms are
interchangeable. This is a common misconception that can cause problems if
you are thinking about investing in one or the other. The health benefits of
a sauna vs. steam room usually make it the best bet for home use.
The Sauna
A sauna produces bursts of steam when you add water over a pile of rocks. It
raises your body temperature because of the extreme heat (usually 140° to
190°), which causes you to sweat out impurities. The humidity may be fairly
steady except for bursts of higher humidity when you pour water over the
rocks to intensify the effect. There are also dry saunas using radiant heat
that are completely “dry” saunas using infrared light heat to produce a
deep-penetrating body heat to produce sweat and a sensation of warmth in the
body. Both types of sauna take place in wooden structures that can absorb
the 20-30 percent humidity.
The Steam Room
A steam room, on the other hand, produces nearly 100% humidity and must be
constructed of tile or some other non-porous material to hold this excessive
moisture in. It also makes it more difficult for the body to get rid of the
sweat that is produced through evaporation. While any type of sweating and
increase in body temperature is healthful in small doses, a sauna can be
tolerated for longer periods of time and will allow sweat and the
accompanying toxins to evaporate more easily. A lower temperature is
necessary for a steam bath, usually 103° to115° Fahrenheit.
Installing a Sauna vs. a Steam Room
For most people, saunas produce enough steam to open pores and produce a
nice “glow,” and the higher temperatures will be more conducive to
relaxation and deep muscle therapy. It is also more practical to
install a
sauna (which can be free-standing in almost any room) than it is to develop
a completely water-proof, tiled steam room where they will have to spend
less time due to the intensive humidity. The health benefits of a sauna vs.
a steam room are undeniable, however, with both.
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