Treatments in a dry sauna, also known as a Finnish sauna, are known for their beneficial impact on health and well-being. Regular sessions improve skin condition, reduce stress and fatigue, and support the immune system. Due to its numerous advantages, the dry sauna is also hugely popular in Poland. How does a dry sauna work, how to use it, and what are its benefits?
How does a dry sauna work?
The custom of using a dry sauna has its roots in the traditional warm baths practiced in Finland. But how does a sauna work, how is it different from a steam sauna or infrared, and what processes occur in the human body during a session? A Finnish sauna is a room lined with or made of wood, where very specific conditions are created. The dry sauna is characterized primarily by the fact that it has a high temperature, ranging from 80 to 120 degrees Celsius, while simultaneously having low humidity, around 15%.
See also: Is sauna healthy?
A few or several minutes of treatment can heat a person's skin up to 42 degrees Celsius, and the overall body temperature increases by one degree. In such a state, the production of immune bodies in the blood, which are responsible for fighting viruses and bacteria during infections, is stimulated. Moreover, due to the high temperature in the sauna, skin pores widen and sweat glands start working more intensely, contributing to faster and more effective cleansing of the body from toxins and other contaminants.
What does the dry sauna offer? Benefits of treatments
The properties of the sauna mean that regular warm baths can have a very beneficial impact on our health. Using the sauna:
- strengthens the immune system,
- supports digestive processes,
- increases metabolism intensity,
- cleanses the body of toxins,
- speeds up blood circulation,
- improves the function of internal organs,
- relieves mental tension,
- reduces stress and fatigue,
- improves the condition of body and facial skin.
How to use a dry sauna?
A dry sauna is a great way to improve health and well-being. However, to ensure that the sessions bring the expected results, it is necessary to know how to use the sauna. Before each treatment, you must thoroughly wash the body and then dry off completely. In keeping with Scandinavian traditions, saunas often enforce what is known as a nudity zone. This means that you should enter the dry sauna naked, ensuring the proper exchange of heat. It is also recommended not to wear a swimsuit – especially a wet one, as it may cause skin burns. However, you should take a towel into the dry sauna, which should be spread under the entire body area – including the feet.
How long can you stay in a dry sauna? A single session should last from 8 to 12 minutes. After this time, the body should be gradually cooled down: taking a cool shower or bath or – following Finnish customs – first stepping out into the fresh air. Thanks to the alternating action of heat and cold, the body initiates thermoregulation processes, improves blood circulation, and relaxes muscles. After cooling the body, you should rest for at least half an hour. Such a series within one visit to the sauna should be repeated a maximum of three times.
There are also several additional rules to remember, regardless of whether you plan a session in a Finnish sauna, steam sauna, or infrared sauna:
- before entering the sauna, remove watches and jewelry – heated by temperature, accessories can cause burns,
- regardless of the type of sauna, you should not enter it while agitated – this poses a risk of sudden pressure increase, and consequently fainting; in such a situation, rest for a while first,
- visiting dry saunas, infrared sauna or going to a steam room, you should not be either hungry or too full – in the first case, you risk fainting, and in the second, the regulation of heat processes in the body may be improper. You can safely go to all types of saunas about an hour after eating a meal.
How often can you use a dry sauna?
For sessions to bring optimal, expected results, it is best to use the Finnish sauna 2 to 3 times a week. Initially, sessions can be a bit shorter so that the body gradually gets used to the different conditions prevailing in the sauna.
Contraindications to using the sauna
Although it's hard to question the benefits of the dry sauna, there are some contraindications to using the treatments. Women who are pregnant or menstruating should refrain from using the Finnish sauna. Sessions in the dry sauna are also not recommended for people with cardiovascular diseases, hormonal disorders, eye diseases, mental illnesses, and for those suffering from epilepsy and claustrophobia.
Dry sauna – discover its benefits at Belmonte!
We invite you to the modern sauna complex at Hotel Belmonte, where you can effectively regenerate body and mind! We offer our guests a Finnish sauna, a steam bath, a salt sauna, a herbal sauna, a family sauna, and an ice grotto. Choose the best type of sauna for you and enjoy the health benefits of the sessions.
