Saunas and steam baths help to soothe the body and mind, but which one to choose? Here’s all the information you need to make your choice.
The sauna
The sauna is synonymous with warmth and relaxation. In just one session, you’ll be able to see the benefits for your skin and your morale. In a sauna, the temperature varies between 70°C and 100°C, allowing you to relax your muscles and achieve a sense of well-being.
Sauna benefits
Saunas not only help you relax, but also strengthen your natural defenses, making it easier to fight off infection and stress, and boosting your circulatory system. Our skin is toned, joint pain relieved and toxins eliminated.
The disadvantages of a sauna
Despite its benefits, the sauna is not recommended for everyone. It is not recommended for people with heart disease or high blood pressure, asthmatics or pregnant women.
Finally, hypersudation could aggravate certain skin conditions, such as eczema or atopic dermatitis.
The Hammam
Eliminate muscular tension, stimulate blood circulation and dilate the pores: the hammam allows you to relax and gently cleanse your skin. Treatments can be chosen to enhance its effect: with its moist heat, relaxation is yours!
The benefits
The hammam, with its steam bath, guarantees a feeling of well-being and extreme relaxation: the tensions of everyday life are banished, leaving room for relaxation!
The benefits of the hammam include cleansing the skin, eliminating toxins, improving blood circulation and relieving muscular tension.
Its drawbacks
People with venous circulation disorders or cardiovascular disease should not choose the hammam. It is not recommended for asthmatics or pregnant women.
Health benefits? Not always
Beneficial for their pleasantly relaxing effects, we have seen that the sauna and hammam
are not recommended for people suffering from certain medical conditions.
Apart from these special cases, there are no contraindications. If in doubt, ask your GP for advice.
Before a sauna or hammam session, avoid alcohol and wait until digestion is complete. Whether you choose the sauna or the hammam, it’s advisable to listen to your body and its sensations: don’t try to force yourself, and if you can’t stand the heat, it’s best to stop the session.
In conclusion, which one to choose?
In addition to their different atmospheres (saunas are usually made of wood, while hammams are tiled), there’s a major difference between saunas and hammams: in a sauna, the air is dry, while in a hammam it’s very humid.
In a sauna, the heat is dry, because there’s no steam; in a hammam, there’s a lot of humidity. We all have our own preferences! To make your choice, it’s best to try both to make an informed choice.
