Finnish sauna (wet)
The most common is the Finnish sauna, in which, from time to time, water should be poured with stones (usually a lot of granite rock), which are arranged at the top of the furnace. Each time a clearing of hot stones induces the formation of clouds of steam spreading throughout the room, which usually has 2-3 “storeys” (shelves), the higher the temperature, the higher the temperature. In the Finnish sauna, the stove heats up the air to a temperature of 80-100 ° C. The humidity in the room is from 25% to 40%. However, it is worth remembering – that a sauna not made of wood or not entirely covered with wood – is no longer a sauna only a steam bath (Roman).
Swedish sauna (dry)
Swedish sauna according to some historians belongs to the oldest types of sauna, preceded by the appearance of a typical Finnish steam sauna. However, it is better not to tell any Finns about it, because they are quite sensitive on this point. However, this sauna is also called old Scandinavian, and the names probably do not come from the air. Swedish sauna appears not very often outside of Scandinavia. It does not enter into it until the temperature reaches about 100 ° C, and the humidity drops to slightly above 10-15%. This is, therefore, a sauna that causes thermal shock in people who are not prepared. Practically, the decor is no different than a Finnish sauna (also a wooden carpet), except that the fireplace is generally in the adjacent room and the sauna itself is heated rather with heated air. Sometimes this type of sauna is used by athletes in our country in training centers, especially before competitions in countries with a dry and hot climate. While the Finnish sauna is considered healthy and even healing, in relation to the Swedish sauna there are quite serious medical contraindications for its use by people suffering from heart disease and cardiovascular diseases, as well as some skin diseases. It is also not recommended for pre-school children.
Roman bath
The Roman bath is something different from the sauna. It comes from the Mediterranean circle. The principle of operation is very similar to the Finnish sauna. A sauna heater can be installed in the room of the bathhouse. The basic difference is noticeable in the decor. The Roman bath also requires a much larger surface area and cubage. The walls of the Roman bath are not lined with wood. As a floor covering, mainly stone slabs (mainly marble, rarely granite or basalts) are used. Ceramic bathroom tiles can also be used. However, it is necessary to considerably more than in the case of the sauna care for efficient water drainage (from condensing steam) and ventilation allowing for the exchange of air after the bathing session. The principle is also – regardless of the shower enclosure – the device of even a small pool in the immediate vicinity of the proper bathhouse.
Infrared sauna
It is a sauna without steam and with low air temperature (40-65 ° C), where instead of traditional stoves, ceramic infrared radiators are used. From the system of deep heat penetration into the body, infrared can be used by anyone. The safety of use is also evidenced by the fact that infrared cabins emit heat very similar to heat energy from the sun, as well as that which our body produces, burning energy substances to maintain the right temperature. Infrared tissues absorb them, which causes a significant increase in both regenerative and curative possibilities. There is no danger of excessive irradiation, because when the saturation level is reached, the rest of the rays penetrate the tissues without any adverse effects. Sauna for infrared rays is a sauna without steam, hot air and related breathing difficulties. Infrared rays are simply thermal radiation that penetrates the skin to a depth of over four centimeters and is easily absorbed by the body. An infrared sauna is an excellent substitute for a traditional sauna. Infrared saunas cleanse the skin and subcutaneous tissues from unnecessary toxins, resulting in firm, clean and healthy skin. The cleansing effect of the infrared sauna is similar to a traditional sauna. The idea of beauty flowing from the interior is here in the best place, because it is the new, beautiful and healthy skin that replaces old, peeling skin and poisoned toxins.
When using the sauna for infrared rays, the body heats up and the blood vessels expand. The result is increased blood flow and better oxygenation and blood supply to tissues. The skin turns red, which means that the oxygen-rich blood reaches places where it can often be lacking in sufficient quantities. This process also removes large amounts of toxins from the body that do not reside in the deeper layers of the skin. Free of toxins, healthy skin burns better and slows down more slowly. The best results can be achieved with regular use – preferably once or twice a week. Regular visits to such a sauna also have a positive effect on reducing cellulite .. An infrared sauna, causing intense sweating, allows you to get rid of some of the unwanted “trash” from the body.
The sauna cabin reaches temperatures from 80 to 100 degrees C, and even more. Our body can withstand this temperature only because the air in the sauna is extremely dry. The body responds to such heat with the release of a large amount of sweat – up to 30 g per minute or up to 500 g at each bath, the evolving sweat cools the surface of our body. With high humidity evaporates much less sweat, which reduces the possibility of cooling the body and, accordingly, it can withstand much lower temperatures or higher temperatures not so well. As an example, a steam bath with its high humidity can be used here. Although the bath is done here at a temperature of about 45 degrees C, our body tolerates it much worse than a very dry bath in the sauna. Bathing in the sauna, consisting in staying in hot dry air as well as then deeply cooling the body has a very beneficial effect, especially when it comes to the work of the heart as well as the bloodstream, causing intense congestion of the skin. Sauna cleanses the body of toxins, immunizes and tones our body, while contributing to the improvement of well-being. In comparison to a steam bath, a sauna is a smaller burden on the body. This is due to the following facts: dry air – compared to humid – and increasing the speed of air circulation in the sauna greatly facilitates the processes of evaporation from the surface of the skin and excretion of water with expiratory air, less intensely heats tissues (due to lower thermal conductivity), thus promoting better to withstand high ambient temperatures.
Blood pressure is lowered (especially in people with hypertension), venous pressure increases. In the sauna we deal with the acceleration of circulation and the displacement of blood from the internal organs to the skin and lungs. Circulation load in the sauna corresponds to the load resulting from light physical labor. The sauna exerts an exercise on the myocardium, and according to some authors, the sauna operates in the same way as the heart muscle and the exercise capacity of the system, like regular physical training. The sauna bath is a kind of combination of the body overheating treatment using hot, dry air with periodic, short impact of high humidity and high intensity of the electric field followed by the cooling of the body with air bath and cold hydrotherapy. For a healthy person, all processes initiated by a stay in a sauna are safe and beneficial. It is a training for the circulatory and respiratory systems. During the procedure there are also changes in the hormonal system. The pituitary-hypothalamic system, managing the entire endocrine system, is stimulated. The sauna has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and mental condition. The body fluid moves, along with toxins and harmful waste products. The temperature of the skin rises to 40 ° C, the subcutaneous vessels dilate, while the internal shrinks. Heart rate rises, blood pressure rises, but at the end of the procedure, the frequency of breathing increases, which increases the ventilation of the lungs.