Why are saunas and steam baths so often confused? Saunas and steam baths both enhance well-being, but there’s a difference. Middle East and Scandinavia!
What’s the difference between sauna and hammam?
Sauna and hammam originate from different regions and civilizations. While the hammam originated in Turkey, and even earlier in the thermal baths of Roman times, it should also be pointed out that it developed extensively in the Middle East. Saunas, on the other hand, originated in Scandinavia. Saunas are traditionally made of wood, while hammams are built with mosaics and even earthenware!
Dry and humid air
When it comes to air humidity, there’s a radical contrast. In the , the air is hot and dry. In the hammam, on the other hand, the air is warm but also saturated with moisture (100% humidity). As for air temperature, it can rise to fifty degrees in a hammam. In a sauna, however, the air temperature can reach a hundred degrees! Note that in a hammam, the heat comes from a steam generator, whereas in a sauna, the heat comes from a stove or infrared radiator.
A hammam… but not only!
It’s also worth noting that a hammam is more than just a “steam bath”. Here, we mean that a complete hammam session is accompanied by treatments such as scrubs and sometimes even masks. Traditionally, this is done with black soap. Sauna sessions are much more sober. It is often limited to immersion in a cabin of dry heat. Inside, hot volcanic stones are sprinkled from time to time, whereas this method is not used in a hammam.
The Bio-sauna
For sauna and steam room enthusiasts, there’s also the bio-stove or bio-sauna solution. This is a sauna heater with an integrated evaporator. In this way, you can constantly diffuse steam into your sauna and humidify the cabin.
This version of the sauna cabin is considered an alternative to the traditional sauna. The temperature is closer to 60°C than 100°C, with humidity levels ranging from 20% to 60%, depending on your preference.
