Dry and wet sauna - differences and benefits The dry sauna, as well as the wet one, is a form of relaxation and therapy for more and more people.
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| Dry and wet sauna - differences and benefits |
The sauna has many benefits, but it can also be contraindicated in certain situations. Here's what it's good to know before going to the sauna, to make the right choice
Contents:
- What is a wet sauna?
- What is a dry sauna?
- The difference between dry and wet sauna
- What are the benefits of the dry sauna, as well as the wet one
- When the sauna is contraindicated
- What is good to know before going to the sauna
What is a wet sauna?
Sauna therapy is a centuries-old practice that originated in Finland, and was actually originally not meant to be a therapeutic method, Rather was used as a way to provide warmth and protection in harsh Finnish winters .
The rudimentary saunas were nothing more than pits dug in the ground, and hot stones were placed on fireplaces that were built inside the pits to generate heat.
Water is then poured over the stones to further increase the heat and humidity. The results were so effective and the temperature rose so substantially in the early saunas.
Users had to strip down and found that time spent in these warming pits did more than protect them from the pounding ice and snow of wind;
They discovered that it also offered a number of health benefits.
Today, the wet sauna is a room or room lined with wood (usually cedar) with built-in benches. Saunas have a heating element, which can be powered by either electricity or fuel.
Water is poured over the stones that are located on the heating element, which produces moisture as well as heat in the environment. Of course, exposure to heat and humidity triggers sweat production.
What is a dry sauna?
A dry sauna is a room lined with wood (usually cedar). Saunas usually have built-in benches that you can sit on and of course, heating elements that increase the temperature inside the space.
The heating element can be electric or fuel-powered, and dry air is circulated throughout the space to generate an intense warming effect on the body.
There are also dry infrared saunas. These components produce infrared rays that permeate the body using specialist technology. Whether it's a traditional or infrared sauna, the warm, dry air penetrates the skin and the body sweats.
The difference between dry and wet sauna
Despite their similarities, wet and dry saunas differ significantly from one another in addition to how they are heated. These differences include:
The humidity. Obviously, dry saunas produce dry air, while wet saunas generate moisture in the air. While the temperature may be the same, it feels much different in a dry environment than in a humid environment.
Heating rate. Wet saunas tend to heat up fairly quickly, while dry saunas heat up more slowly. The presence of water on the heating element is the cause. As the water evaporates, the moisture spreads much faster into space. Dry saunas take longer to heat up as the infrared panel or stones have to heat up on their own as they have no added moisture to speed up the heating rate.
Effects of heat. In terms of how heat affects the body, dry saunas offer better results. This is because dry air is used, which penetrates the body much more efficiently. The combination of moisture and sweat has a cooling effect on the body.
What are the benefits of the dry sauna, as well as the wet one
Wet and dry saunas differ in how they generate heat, but they have many similarities in terms of the beneficial effects they have on the body. These similarities include:
It stimulates perspiration. Of course, both wet and dry saunas encourage sweating because each generates high temperatures, and as those temperatures warm the skin, the pores open up, leading to sweating.
Skin rejuvenation. Believe it or not, sweating is one of the most basic ways to improve the appearance of your skin. Sweating triggers the opening of the pores, which releases any germs and dead cells that are trapped in the pores and sitting on the surface of the skin. Detoxifying dead skin bacteria leaves room for new cells to grow.
Weight loss. When used in conjunction with exercise and proper nutrition, both dry and wet saunas can help support and accelerate weight loss. When your body is overheated, you burn more calories and fat. It also increases your metabolic rate, which further helps support weight loss.
Relaxation. Both types of saunas help relax the body, as the heat can reduce inflammation, which, when combined with the detoxifying effects, can help you feel much more relaxed.
When the sauna is contraindicated
Sauna in moderation poses no danger to most people, but patients with cardiovascular or kidney conditions should seek medical advice. Blood pressure can drop suddenly from the sauna, which means that hypotensive people should be careful, but hypertensive people should also use the sauna with caution.
The sauna is also prohibited for pregnant women or people suffering from epilepsy.
What is good to know before going to the sauna
- Avoid associating alcohol consumption with sitting in the sauna.
- Do not use antiperspirant. Antiperspirant does not allow the body to sweat naturally, which is contrary to the purpose of sauna therapy. It can take a few days for antiperspirant to be removed from your skin, so skip antiperspirant altogether and use deodorant instead (which kills odor keeping bacteria at bay but still allows you to sweat).
- Drink plenty of water. You will need to re hydrate properly each time.
- 20 minutes maximum. The recommended time for a sauna session is 20 minutes.
- Shower after the sauna to remove toxins from the skin.