Some people presume that far infrared saunas and steam showers are equal, but they are dissimilar. Actually, for some decades, there’s been an continuing sauna vs steam room controversy between those endorsing sauna use and those who suppose steam rooms are more appropriate.
Prior to getting into the sauna vs steam room comparisons, it is essential to distinguish a wet sauna from a steam room. In a wet sauna, water is allocated onto hot rocks, which elevates the humidity a little, but not nearly to the humidity levels found in a steam room. Still, in a wet sauna, the approximate humidity is about 20%, in comparison to 100% in a steam room.
Far infrared saunas and steam rooms are essentially unlike types of hot baths, but a far infrared sauna has dry heat and a steam room has moist heat. Essentially, saunas have remarkably low levels of humidity, which allows them to be a lot hotter than steam rooms. You know how 90 degrees outside with decreased humidity is a lot comfortable than 90 degrees outside with elevated humidity? Similar principles apply in the sauna vs steam room analogy. Saunas include dry heat, and the human body can tolerate increased temperatures if the humidity is low enough. Steam rooms contain moist heat, and due to the fact that sweating is far less capable (taking into account that it can’t evaporate easily) in a steam room, the temperature must be kept lower.
In a sauna, the temperature is capable of 180 degrees Fahrenheit and are safe due to the fact the heat is dry. In a steam room, the temperature is upheld at about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, since if it were much hotter it could burn the skin.
Dry saunas and steam rooms are constructed differently due to the fact of their divergent heating methods and the divergent conditions inside steam showers and far infrared sauna. Steam rooms use a generator to heat water and dissipate it throughout the air, creating 100% humidity. Sauna use stones placed on top a heater, which is usually electric or wood-burning (although gas and propane powered infrared sauna heaters exist too). When water is poured onto the hot rocks, the steam quickly intersperses.
Steam rooms have to be built in certain ways to deal with the elevated moisture levels developed by the steam. Usually they are coated with ceramic tile, and they are mostly made with sloped ceilings so that steam build-up doesn’t “rain” onto the steam bathers.
So what is the take home message in the sauna vs steam room debate? These are some major points.
1. Steam rooms feel hotter, but they’re cooler, due to the fact that sweat can’t evaporate. You don’t actually perspire more in a steam shower; it’s just that when the sweat doesn’t evaporate, you’re more aware of how much you’re sweating.
2. People with sinus problems or asthma may have a preference for the moist heat of steam baths. Steam inhalation is easing to bothered respiratory passages, and dry heat can make them feel more inflamed.
3. However, if steam rooms are not completely and regularly cleaned, they could be reproducing grounds for germs such as MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) and the fungus that results in athlete’s foot.
4. Some people believe that saunas over-dry the epidermis and can result in irritation and broken capillaries.
5. Sauna use can be enormously dehydrating, so it is important to drink water before and after using a dry saunas. The same is true to a decreased extent for steam rooms.
It is doubtful that the far infrared sauna vs steam room debate will have a clear winner anytime soon. There are boons and disadvantages of both. If, for example, you attend a health club that has both, you ought to make your verdict based on your exact health history and on considerations such as cleanliness and sanitation.
Topic:dry sauna, dry saunas, hot rocks, humidity levels, infrared sauna, infrared saunas, steam room, steam rooms, steam shower, steam showers