Sauna Vs Steam Bath: WhatÂ's The Big Difference?
Sauna vs steam bath. This is the common subject matter of arguments of some health professionals and spa enthusiasts. Some prefer sauna while others like to have steam baths. Actually, both have the same therapeutic effects. Sauna and steam baths can relax tense muscles, ease joint pains, and can relieve stress. The heat generated by sauna and steam can detoxify your body and improve blood circulation. When it comes to healthy benefits you can gain, there is no contest between sauna and steam baths. Sauna came from Europe specifically Sweden and Finland. It uses dry heat and the temperature can be raised to around 70 - 100 degrees centigrade. Water is usually poured over a heating material to generate steam. This raises the humidity level and heat. People with asthma, sinusitis and other respiratory ailments will have a difficult time breathing the dry heat of saunas. Thats why other people prefer steam baths which uses moist heat to generate steam and heat. Steam baths can be very beneficial for people with respiratory problems. As against saunas, the steam can unclog blocked airways which cause cough, asthma and sinusitis. Stem baths have a higher humidity level and the temperature should be maintained at around 40 degrees centigrade. A higher temperature can scald the skin.
Sauna rooms and bath primarily use wood, stones and bricks. These are easier to maintain and clean because of the dry nature of sauna baths. Some prefer to vacuum clean the wood and stones and if molds get into the wood, it can easily be treated with acid and chemical wood treatment. Steam baths on the other hand use ceramics to contain the heat. Because steam generates moisture, ceramic materials are really best to easily clean steam rooms. You must ensure however that steam rooms are properly wiped dry after every use. Moisture is a sure breeding ground of germs and bacteria so proper clean up and maintenance is required to keep your steam bath in top condition. Generally, a sauna room is easier to construct and install in your house. It will need little fabrication and carpentry work. Steam rooms are more elaborate when it comes to construction. You need to install ceramic tiling and construct a slanted roof. Glass windows should be secured with a special ceramic plaster in order to keep the heat inside. There are pre-fabricated portable steam rooms available on the market today. These compact steam rooms can provide convenience in terms of installation and assembly. You can actually install these compact portable steam rooms right in your bath room. There are also portable steam saunas that are being sold on the market. Some are pre-fabricated wood while other models use a special waterproof cloth. |
