Overview
If you’re in the mood for some pampering, step into a steam room or sauna. Although they offer similar benefits and some people use the words interchangeably, steam rooms and saunas create two different environments. Neither environment is necessarily better, but after examining their differences you might decide that one is more beneficial for you.
Differences
The primary difference between a steam room and a sauna is that steam rooms employ moist heat and saunas provide dry heat. Because humidity can cause high temperatures to be physically less tolerable, steam rooms are typically set to temperatures around 100 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternately, saunas can reach temperatures up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit because they are so dry. To accommodate the type of heat they offer, steam rooms are typically made of a moisture-safe material such as ceramic tile. Saunas, on the other hand, are typically made of wood.
Unproven Claims
Some enthusiasts believe that steam rooms and saunas are able to detoxify the body, or rid the body of toxins that accumulate by environmental exposure. However, no substantial research has proven this claim to be accurate. Both hot environments undoubtedly cause sweating, but whether this sweat is carrying out toxins has yet to be determined.
Effects
According to Harvard Health online, extreme heat such as that felt in a sauna or steam room will cause physiological responses, including having the temperature of the skin rise to about 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the pulse increasing by at least 30 percent and losing about a pint of sweat. Sometimes this change can have beneficial effects such as improved skin, relaxed muscles, and increased feelings of relaxation and emotional well-being. However, increased temperatures can be dangerous for persons who are pregnant, have high blood pressure or heart disease.
Choosing One
Steam rooms and saunas have similar physical effects, so choosing the “better” one usually becomes a matter of personal preference. For example, if a person doesn’t like feelings of extreme humidity she may feel more relaxed in a sauna. She might also be hesitant to enter a room with high humidity because enclosed, humid areas are more susceptible to breeding fungus and bacteria and they might not all be cleaned properly. However, a person with a respiratory condition such as asthma or congestion will likely find that the steam helps clear out airways.
Reducing Risks
No matter what option a person chooses, he can improve his experience by reducing his health risks when he steps into a steam room or sauna. According to Harvard Health online, those entering a sauna should avoid consuming alcohol or medications that could increase the chance of overheating or interfere with their ability to sweat. They should also only stay in the sauna between 15 and 20 minutes and drink between two and four glasses of cool water after exiting. Finally, those feeling unwell before or during the sauna should avoid or leave the sauna. The same rules apply to using a steam room, but those using a steam room may also want to wear sandals when entering to reduce exposure to fungus and bacteria.
About this Author
Christa Miller has been writing since the day she was able to pick up a pen. She attended San Francisco State University to earn her Bachelor’s degree in creative writing with a minor in journalism. Her web articles can be found on such sites as eHow, Travels and LIVESTRONG. When she’s not writing, Miller works as a therapeutic massage therapist in Phoenix, Ariz.
