The primary difference between a steam bath and a sauna is that dry heat is used in a sauna and a steam room employs moist heat. Saunas can reach much higher temperatures because they are so dry and low in humidity. Dry heat rooms can reach temperatures as high as 212 degrees Fahrenheit safely, say the experts at Steam-Sauna. A steam room, on the other hand, rarely goes much above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, or the steam would be scalding.
Materials
The steam in a sauna is usually produced by pouring water over hot stones. The stones are heated by an electric or wood-burning device and the steam dissipates quickly, requiring users to constantly keep pouring water over the stones to maintain the steam. Steam rooms are fed the steam constantly and produce nearly 100 percent humidity within the airtight room. Saunas are typically made of wood, while steam rooms are usually lined in tile to keep the moisture from seeping into the materials.
Similarities
Experts at Steam-Sauna say that the choice between using a sauna or steam room is usually a matter of personal taste. Both forms of cleansing carry many of the same benefits including improving circulation and easing muscle tension. The pores are cleared and cleansed in both baths and the body receives some detoxification benefits due to sweating. Both baths also leave the bather relaxed and refreshed.
Disparities
While the sauna vs. steam choice often depends on personal preference, there are a few differences to note. Most people say that steam rooms feel hotter because their sweat does not evaporate in the tiled room. On the other hand, the moist heat of a steam room may help to ease congestion or respiratory problems in users. Stuffed sinuses can benefit greatly from a good steaming. On the down side, steam rooms tend to collect more germs and mold and must be maintained on a very strict schedule so as not to breed dangerous bacteria.
Infrared
A new approach to heating the rocks in a sauna involves infrared heating elements to provide the heat source. While researchers at the Mayo Clinic agree that saunas and steam rooms can provide many health benefits ranging from pain control to treating chronic fatigue syndrome, the extreme claims made by manufacturers of the new technology have not been proven to be legitimate.
Cooling
Cooling off is quicker in a sauna because there is time for the sweat to evaporate. The user has more control over the amount of steam and the cooling process. As a result, the toxins that were released from the body might dry on the skin and re-enter the body. "Sauna Therapy," written by nutritional counselor Dr. Lawrence Wilson, who consults for the sauna and steam room industry, says that it is important to take a shower after either a sauna or a steam bath to wash away impurities that have poured from the body and those that may have been picked up while in the room.
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