Steam rooms vs Saunas

Both steam rooms and saunas are very similar, but a sauna uses dry heat and a steam room uses moist heat.

Saunas are generally heated to between 80°C-100°C and are very low humidity. Saunas are safe being this hot because they use dry heat. Whereas steam rooms are usually only 40°C, however, if they were hotter than this they would probably scald the skin.

Saunas and steam rooms are made from very different materials, because of the way they are heated. Saunas are heated with stones on the heater. This is generally an electric or wood-burning heater. The temperature is raised by pouring water over the stones which produces steam, raising the temperature of the sauna by a few degrees. Saunas tend to be made of wood and contain wooden benches.

Steam rooms are heated by a steam generator, the steam is pumped in to an almost airtight room. This makes the humidity rise to almost 100%. Steam rooms are usually made from ceramic tiles or a similar material because it keeps the moisture in. Steam rooms are also built with slanted ceilings to prevent steam dripping on occupants.

Which is better- steam room or sauna?

This tends to be down to personal preference; however both saunas and steam rooms have the same therapeutic benefits:

• Improving the blood circulation
• Rejuvenating and cleaning the skin
• Easing muscle tension
• Promoting relaxation and feelings of well-being
• Increasing detoxification

However, it is argued that taking both where possible is the best option.

Here are some points about steam rooms:

• In a steam room sweat doesn’t evaporate so it feels hotter, people tend to think that they sweat more in a steam room but this isn’t so, the sweat just doesn’t evaporate like it does in a sauna
• If you have respiratory problems, steam rooms might be better because it is very effective against allergies and asthma.
• Steam rooms could be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria due to the moist, warm conditions. This doesn’t tend to be a problem if the steam room is cleaned properly.

Steam rooms, saunas and hot tubs all heat the body from the outside, whereas infrared saunas emit infrared rays which heat the body from the inside. Many experts believe that heating the body from the inside provides more additional benefits. Maintaining a steam room or sauna is relatively easy. Steam rooms can be cleaned using a ceramic tile cleaner. The wooden floor inside a sauna should be cleaned at least once a week to prevent mould and rotting, the walls and ceiling don’t need to be cleaned as often.