What should be the temperature and humidity in the bathhouse during health procedures? This question is no less important than the choice of a heater or a bath broom.
When using a bathhouse, it is recommended to adhere to certain rules for increasing the temperature relative to air humidification in different rooms.
First of all, novice bathhouse attendants need to know this, because it is difficult for them to determine the correct ratio of these parameters when visiting the steam room for the first time.
How does heat affect the human body?
When a person comes to a steam room or bathhouse, his body is subjected to thermal stress. As a result, sweating is stimulated, toxins are eliminated, and metabolic processes are accelerated. The body warms up gradually: this can be seen with the naked eye. The skin turns red, beads of sweat appear on the body.
Visiting a bathhouse and exposure to elevated temperatures have the following positive effects on the body:
The processes of nutrition and nutrient transfer in cells are accelerated . Tissue regeneration occurs much faster. The skin is rejuvenated, the healing time of wounds and abrasions is reduced.
The load on the cardiovascular system increases . If a person is healthy and follows the rules of visiting the steam room, such a load will be useful for him, as it acts as a workout for the heart muscles.
There is profuse sweating . Together with sweat, excess water leaves the body, reducing the severity of edema. Through enlarged pores, toxins and waste are removed, reducing the load on the liver and kidneys. The skin becomes more beautiful, healthy, and acquires an even tone.
The muscles warm up . Due to this, metabolic processes in tissues are accelerated and lactic acid is removed. Muscles become more elastic and recover faster after training and increased stress.
In addition to the above, being in a steam room relieves nervous tension, normalizes sleep, and helps fight the consequences of experienced stress and depression. With the right approach, the bath has exceptional benefits for the human body.
Temperature conditions in baths of various types
The temperature regime in baths of different types has fundamental differences. Moreover, the level of humidity in the steam room differs. That is why it is necessary to choose the appropriate type of bath based on both temperature indicators and the characteristics of your body.
Russian bath
This is the most popular type of baths.
Its main distinguishing features are:
- High humidity.
- Low temperature (50-80 degrees).
- Possibility of temperature control due to the formation of hot steam.
Due to the increased humidity, high temperatures in a Russian bath are much more difficult to tolerate. Therefore, visiting a very hot steam room is not recommended for people who cannot tolerate heat. However, such a bath has many advantages.
High humidity in tandem with hot air contributes to:
Rapid opening of pores and removal of toxins.
High-quality warming up of muscles and ligaments.
Acceleration of metabolic processes.
If you supplement the Russian bath with a massage with a broom, the benefits will increase several times.
Finnish sauna
The humidity in such a bathhouse rarely exceeds 10-15%, but the air temperature fluctuates around 90-110 degrees.
Due to the low humidity, being in a Finnish sauna is somewhat easier to bear than in a Russian steam room.
However, when visiting a sauna, an unprepared person may experience unpleasant symptoms such as dry nose and sore throat.
Turkish sauna (hamam)
Its distinctive characteristics:
- High humidity 100%.
- Low air temperature, not exceeding 50 degrees.
- Presence of thick water vapor.
Visiting the hammam is much easier for people to tolerate. You can stay here for a long time without experiencing any particular discomfort. However, if you like to steam, the hammam is unlikely to suit you.
Mini sauna
Home saunas are quite popular because they offer the opportunity to visit at any time you wish. The mini-sauna has many modifications, so you can easily choose the right option. The design allows it to be disassembled and subsequently transported to a new location. It is possible to purchase a mini-sauna already fully equipped, so there will be no need for additional purchases. It has certain protection, decorative cladding and all the necessary equipment. Over time, the sauna in the house becomes an integral part of it.
Features of visiting a steam room at different temperature conditions
Important! Only healthy people can visit the bathhouse and sauna. If you are feeling unwell, have chronic diseases in the acute stage or have serious illnesses, you should refrain from exposure to high temperatures.
There is no strict limit determining at what temperature a person should steam. Everyone chooses the most comfortable and acceptable conditions for themselves. Most often we are talking about a Russian bath, since the hammam and Finnish sauna are not intended for this purpose.
So, with high humidity, the temperature in a Russian bath should not exceed 70 degrees. Otherwise, the body overheats very quickly. Body temperature rises, general health worsens, and attacks of nausea occur.
For a Russian bath, the optimal ratio is 40% humidity and a temperature within 60 degrees.
It is this regime that is much easier to tolerate by the body. At this temperature you can both warm up and steam. The higher the temperature and humidity, the more difficult it will be to steam.
In addition, the higher the heat, the less time you should spend in the steam room (in this case we are talking about a prepared body!!):
- Over 70 degrees – no more than 60 minutes.
- Over 80 degrees – no more than 40-50 minutes.
- Over 100 degrees – no more than 20 minutes.
Why shouldn’t the temperature regime be violated?
Violating the temperature regime and staying in a bathhouse at high temperatures can have the opposite effect on the body.
In simple words, being in extreme conditions (and high temperatures are extreme conditions), protective reactions are activated:
Blood flow accelerates, the heart has to work several times more intensely.
Pores close to reduce fluid loss. As a result, toxins accumulate.
Body temperature rises, organs and systems go into increased work mode.
Thickening of the blood increases the risk of blood clots.
The longer an unprepared person sits in a hot bath, the more severe negative influences he is exposed to. As a result of overheating, loss of consciousness and even cardiac arrest can occur.
Step by step warming up the body in the bath
During a visit to a steam room, the body goes through several stages:
- Adaptation . The first 5-7 minutes of being in the steam room.
- Warming up the skin . Comes in 10-15 minutes. This increases sweating.
- Warming up internal organs, accelerating metabolic processes . It comes in another 10 minutes.
If at any stage you feel unwell, do not tolerate the fever. Leave the sauna immediately or go to a place with a more comfortable temperature.
Arrangement of ventilation and thermal insulation
The level of heat and its preservation depend on how well the thermal insulation is done and how the bathhouse is built. To keep the heat longer, a heat insulator is placed between the walls during construction. Only then can the optimal temperature for a Russian bath be maintained.
The steam room must be built in such a way that heat cannot escape. For this purpose, the doors are made low and the thresholds high. It is better to place the stove near the door, then the steam room will warm up evenly. To keep the floor surface warm, the floor covering is laid in several layers.
Ventilation in the sauna is needed to maintain equal pressure inside and outside. As for the Russian version of the bathhouse, the air pressure in it is increased, so steam must be supplied carefully so that the doors do not blow out. A bathhouse with high humidity leaves condensation on all surfaces, so dry cleaning and long-term ventilation are required after visiting.
What should be the temperature in the steam room during bath procedures?
Important! The maximum time spent in a steam room at temperatures above 70 degrees for experienced bathhouse attendants is 30 minutes. If you are a beginner, your stay time should be halved.
The temperature in the steam room should be acceptable for humans. In simple words, he should feel comfortable and not feel unwell.
Also, temperature indicators can vary greatly depending on the specific part of the bath:
Locker room . Comfortable temperature +25 degrees.
Waiting room . Optimal temperature is +30 degrees.
Bath and steam room . From 40 to 80 degrees.
Expert opinion
Lovkachev Boris Petrovich
Bath master who knows everything about steaming
In this case, the humidity in the main room should be approximately 40-60%. In this case, the most comfortable conditions are created, allowing you to steam for quite a long time without harm to the body.
If the temperature in the bathhouse and steam room is 60-70 degrees, and the humidity reaches 80%, this option is suitable for experienced bathhouse attendants. Beginners will not be comfortable in such conditions.
If a steam room or bath is being prepared for a child or an elderly person, the optimal temperature in this case should be no more than 40-50 degrees.
Important! Temperatures above 120 degrees are considered extreme and can lead to the death of an unprepared person.
How to avoid negative effects from high temperatures?
- Do not go to the sauna on an empty stomach . Also, you should not overeat immediately before the bath. It is best to eat 1.5 -2 hours before bath procedures.
- Be sure to remove any metal jewelry . As a result of heating them, you risk getting burned.
- While warming up, change your position periodically . This will help you avoid overheating and warm your body more evenly.
- Move slowly and smoothly . Sudden movements may cause dizziness, leading to fainting.
- Wipe away sweat from time to time . This way you will speed up the process of sweating and removing toxins and waste.
- While in the steam room, wear a special headdress . It will help prevent overheating and ear burns.
- Take the correct position . It is best to lie in a bathhouse or sauna on a shelf or bench with your legs slightly raised. This improves the outflow of lymph and normalizes blood circulation.
- Don't tolerate discomfort . If you feel hot or feel unwell: immediately go to a more comfortable area, for example, a dressing room or locker room. Do not forget that visiting the bathhouse should be for the benefit, and not to harm the body.
- Don't drink a lot of liquids . If you are thirsty, you can drink some clean water (150-200 ml). Drinking a lot of water increases the load on the heart and can cause illness.
Precautionary measures
Even with precise temperature control, it is difficult to predict each organism's individual response to such extreme levels of heat. Moreover, this can be influenced by a lot of external factors. In order to be able to isolate ourselves from the dangers of the sauna, let's figure out what effect it has on a person and how to visit it correctly.
Impact
The influence of dry steam temperature is less aggressive than wet steam. A person's pulse in a Finnish steam room does not exceed 120 beats per minute, while in a Russian one it reaches 170.
Advice: hypertensive patients are recommended to visit the sauna, not the bathhouse. Because in a dry environment blood pressure drops, and in a humid environment it increases.
Check your blood pressure levels before using the sauna
The following instructions for visiting a Finnish steam room will help you get maximum pleasure and a minimum of negative feelings:
- Before visiting, you should take a light shower without washing your hair and thoroughly dry off any remaining moisture.
- Wear a special hat, most often made of felt due to its low thermal conductivity.
Examples of funny bath hats
- For beginners, it is recommended not to stay in the steam room for more than five minutes. Experienced steam lovers can afford a period of 10-15 minutes.
Tip: while inside the steam room, try to breathe through your nose evenly and calmly. Rapid intake of air can cause burns to the mucous membrane.
- The best body position for the procedure is lying down. This way the heating occurs evenly, which has a beneficial effect on the circulation of internal processes in the body.
Correct body position when visiting the steam room
- Remove the released sweat from the surface of the body, as its presence prevents further sweating.
- After leaving the hot zone, do not rush to take a lying or sitting position. Better wait, adapting to the normal environment.
- When you visit again, be sure to dry yourself again.
- Taking a shower or other water procedures is possible only after the steaming process is completed.
Question answer
At what temperature is it best for a beginner to start visiting a steam room?
It is very important to listen to your feelings. If you have no contraindications for bath procedures, then you can start steaming at a temperature of 50-60 degrees.
Can heatstroke occur in a bathhouse?
Heatstroke in a bathhouse is not uncommon. This can happen even to an experienced bathhouse attendant. That is why, when visiting a steam room, it is important to listen to your body and follow the recommendations of specialists.
Why are temperatures above 100 degrees dangerous?
Such temperatures are extreme for the body. In this case, internal organs and systems experience enormous stress. As a result, overheating, loss of consciousness and even cardiac arrest can occur.
At what temperature can a child over 3 years old be steamed?
You can carry out bath procedures with children at a temperature of 40-50 degrees. At the same time, carefully monitor the baby’s well-being.
How long can you sit in the steam room?
It all depends on the preparation of your body and the ambient temperature: experienced bath attendants can sit in the steam room for more than an hour. The most important thing is not to tolerate discomfort. If you feel unwell and hot, leave the room immediately.
Who is not recommended to visit the hammam?
Now let’s talk about those for whom visiting a Turkish bath can be harmful and people with what diseases should still refuse to visit the hammam.
- You should not visit the hammam if you have a high temperature.
- People with severe lung diseases.
- In the presence of any infectious diseases that are transmitted by airborne droplets.
- Psychoses are also a contraindication for visiting the hammam.
- Weak heart.
- Oncological diseases.
- Pregnancy - it has long been proven that any heat has a bad effect on the fetus, a visit to the hammam in this case can also negatively affect the health of the unborn baby.
But if you are not sick with any of this, but on the contrary, you want to heal and cleanse your body as effectively as possible, then of all the possible steam rooms, you can safely choose the hammam and not only enjoy and relax visiting it, but also greatly contribute to rejuvenation, cleansing and normalizing the health of your body as a whole!
