Deciding between a steam room or a sauna is a tough choice as either may be preferable depending on your medical condition.
If you’re judging based on heat, there are clear differences between a sauna and steam room. For example, a sauna is dry heat that will heat the body from the inside and out, and so the air does not carry much moisture. Comparatively, a steam room is very moisture-driven. A steam room heats the entire room rather than the body and so it’s a very heavy, wet heat. Visiting a steam room generally is more intense because of this.
A steam room prevents sweat from evaporating and so when you sweat, it simply sits there on surface. The humid air also takes to storing more heat than a dry sauna would. Steam comes to touch the skin, condenses, and then, there’s more sweat which is released in response. Now, an infrared dry sauna is not any slouch heat-wise. Temperatures can range up to 190 Fahrenheit. You’d never know though because there’s low humidity and so core body temperature tends to stay cooler.
Now if you have breathing difficulties like asthma and bronchitis, steam rooms are generally recommended. The humidity can alleviate some of the symptoms. The heat will cause the body to sweat, just like a sauna will. A sauna works similarly except you don’t have the benefits of wetness in the air.
When it comes to chronic pain, although both can be effective at minimizing symptoms, an infrared sauna will likely provide more pain relief than a steam room. This is because infrared rays are heating the body from the inside out. The body’s response to this is much more instant and intense than what would be the case in a steam room.
Thirdly, regarding skin conditions or how to have more glowing skin, both a steam room and sauna are going to open up pores, help with blood circulation, and engage the body’s lymphatic system. Both will soften the skin and give it a healthy pink glow which can be perceived as making a person look younger. The steam will clear our impurities which is great for those with acne while saunas can eradicate blackheads effectively.
That said, to get the skin benefits, one must remember to wipe away the sweat when they walk out of one of these rooms. Otherwise, everything that was brought to the skin surface will just remain there.
Please note that both options carry a similar warning which must be heeded – don’t stay in too long. Too lengthy a stay in a sauna will result in dehydration and excessive thirst while extending your stay in a steam room can cause dizziness or a rapid heartbeat.
Evidently, both have their advantages. If you’re buying for a household, most will choose an infrared sauna as their design is much more affordable and they do not require a water source to function. That said, some commercial businesses may prefer a steam room for the reasons mentioned.
For steam rooms, infrared saunas, and traditional Finnish saunas, as well as other sauna accessories, you can visit Steam Sauna. A representative would be happy to answer any questions and help to recommend the most appropriate options for your needs, should one be undecided.