How does a sauna work?

A wellness ritual that originated in Nordic countries, the sauna is appreciated for its benefits to body and mind. It’s a fact that the action of heat offers our bodies an unparalleled moment of relaxation. But do you know how it works in practice? Find out everything you need to know about how saunas work.

Traditional sauna vs. infrared sauna: how does it work?

Did you know? There are two main types of sauna heating: traditional (wood-fired or electric) and infrared. Although their principle is similar (to spread heat), they don’t work in the same way. Discover the differences below!

The traditional sauna, based on dry heat.

Originating in Finland, the traditional sauna provides a dry heat bath. Traditionally located in a small wooden hut outside, there are now models that can be used both inside and outside your home.

The principle of the traditional sauna is to heat the ambient air to warm the body. The room is heated by a wood-burning (or electric) stove. This heats the sauna stones (kiuaskivi). Often of volcanic origin, these stones can accumulate heat while withstanding considerable thermal shock.

It then takes between 30 and 60 minutes on average to preheat the stones (depending on the power of the stove, the type of wood used for a wood-burning stove, etc.). Once hot, the stones can be sprayed with water. This creates the famous steam bath and brings moisture, much appreciated during a moment of well-being.

The air in a traditional sauna is very dry(humidity of 3 to 20% at a temperature of 70 to 100°C). Traditionally, temperature and humidity are controlled by sprinkling water on the stones. Nowadays, however, models with electric heaters feature a thermostat that can be adjusted via a control panel.

The traditional sauna has multiple health benefits, both psychological and physical. The heat is gentle and increases naturally. The steam optimizes sweating, helping toeliminate toxins. Ideal for an incomparable moment of well-being!

How infrared saunas work, based on infratherapy

Originating in Japan, the infrared sauna is based on the infratherapy technique. This heat therapy uses infrared waves to penetrate the body and heat it up. These invisible waves, known as ” type C far infrared “, are harmless to health. They are even said to have beneficial effects on joint and skin diseases!

Unlike traditional saunas, infrared saunas don’t use stoves. Instead , heat is emitted via infrared radiation, from reflector panels placed on the cabin walls. The emitters can be made of different materials:

• Carbon (most commonly used): distributes heat evenly throughout the cabin while consuming little energy. Not very powerful, the heating time is rather slow and does not allow high temperatures to be reached;
• Quartz / magnesium: for even heat distribution. Powerful, it heats up quickly;
• Ceramic (ideal for large outdoor saunas): for concentrated heat distribution over a small area. Very powerful, heating time is very short.

This technology heats up faster than traditional saunas. Allow 15 to 20 minutes on average. The heat is gentler, with a lower temperature (between 40 and 70°C). This makes it ideal for people who are very sensitive to heat.

Finally, the infrared sauna also has multiple health benefits. It is said to cause 3 to 6 times more sweating than its traditional namesake. The benefits are therefore even greater, particularly in terms of skin appearance and joint pain.

How the sauna works on the body: proven benefits

Now that we’ve seen how traditional and infrared saunas work , let’s move on to their action on the body.

How a sauna session affects the body

When you enter a sauna, your body is confronted with a high temperature. Between 40 and 100°C! This high heat has an immediate effect on the body.

Faced with this heat, blood vessels dilate and the heart rate increases. The skin sweats profusely (you can lose up to 1.5 litres of water per session!). Endorphins are also secreted, deeply relaxing the mind.

Traditionally, we recommendalternating hot and cold to maximize the benefits. The idea is to get out of the cabin after ten minutes or so and take a cold shower. Scandinavians even take the opportunity to roll around in the snow…

Then return to the sauna to enjoy the warmth, alternating this process up to 3 times in a row. And don’t forget to hydrate in between!

The hot-cold effect really re-energizes and revitalizes the body in depth. This has many beneficial effects, both physical and psychological.

Physical and psychological benefits

The way the sauna works on the body produces a number of beneficial effects:

• Relaxing: combats stress and relieves tension, while promoting restful sleep;
• Cardiovascular: helps keep the cardiovascular system in good working order by dilating blood vessels;
• Immune: improves immunity by putting the body into a state of artificial fever;
• Purifying: eliminates toxins by stimulating perspiration and dilating the skin’s pores;
• Muscular: helps relieve muscle aches and pains by stimulating blood circulation.

 

Whether traditional or infrared, the sauna has many benefits to offer your body. In short, it’s an essential part of your wellness routine! So don’t hesitate to install a sauna in your home to enjoy the benefits on a daily basis.