NEW STYLES OF STEAM SAUNAS ARE CHANGING THE GAME

Steam saunas and steam rooms are very popular right now, partly because the new style of steam saunas are so easy to install in your home. However, many people believe that steam rooms and saunas are the same thing, but this isn't correct. Yes, both have many health benefits that we will discuss later in this article, but there is a key difference between the two: the moisture level each uses. In short, from a steam room, you get heat from the wet heat or steam at a slightly lower temperature. In a steam sauna, on the other hand, you are getting completely dry heat from a higher temperature. 

Read on to discover why steam saunas are so beneficial to your health, how to install one in your home, and which steam saunas are the best to purchase.

Historical Use of Steam Saunas

Nowadays, many people want their own steam sauna to relax in, and it's easier than ever to install in your house. However, steam saunas have a rich background that extends many years back. Let's look at some historical steam saunas and how they were used.

Hammams

A hammam, or a Turkish bath, is a steam bath associated with Middle Eastern or Islamic cultures. These steam saunas were modeled after Roman baths as they are also a form of public bathing, so it's a very social place to go. A hammam has many health benefits, such as extreme relaxation, and it's very good for your skin.

However, instead of using thermal waters like Roman baths, a hammam uses hot steam to give you a deep cleanse. A hammam will also use olive oil-based soap rich in vitamin E, which nourishes and exfoliates the skin. Many hammams additionally use hassoul clay on your body, which contains an antibacterial mineral that removes toxins from the body.

Korean Baths

Korean bathes, or as Koreans call them, jjimjilbangs, are Korean-style bathhouses that include hot tubs, showers, kiln saunas, and massage tables. The word "jjimji" literally means heat, so you know what you get when you step into one of these bathhouses. The walls are typically decorated with minerals, crystals, stones, and metals to induce healing.

Korean baths are so popular in Korea that you can even stay overnight at some of them to fully enjoy the steam saunas. Steam saunas in Korea are called Hanjeungmak and are meant to be intensely hot and dry. Traditionally, it burns pine to heat a domelike kiln made of stone. Many years ago, the Hanjeungmaks used to be their own entity, but today they are incorporated into the experience of a jjimjibang.

Temazcals

Temazcals, or Mayan steam baths, are an ancient form of steam saunas. Its history extends all the way back to the Mayans. Temazcals are shaped like stone igloos and are heated to high temperatures. The experience of a temazcal is to strip down to no clothing and get an intense sweat going while listening to the sound of chanting and smelling the fragrance from herbs like sage or copal.

These steam saunas were typically carried out with a small group and led by a shaman, and the whole ceremony lasted for roughly two hours. Volcanic rocks are placed in the center of the temazcal, and water is poured over them to create steam. Many say this experience is very similar to Native American sweat lodges.

 

Benefits of Steam Saunas

 

Like many steam showers known to relax the mind and body, there are many benefits when using a steam sauna. We will talk about improved skin health, increased relaxation, improved circulation, reduced blood pressure, and promoted mental wellness.

Improved Skin Health

Your skin will feel brand new after using a steam sauna because it will open your pores and cleanse your skin. Additionally, it can help loosen any dirt or debris on your skin, improving your skin's overall appearance. Toxins underneath your skin are released from your pores and clear your skin from breakouts. Overall, many people who use a steam sauna will have clearer and more even-toned skin.

Increased Relaxation

Along with increased relaxation, steam saunas also reduce stress (mostly because of the relaxation you experience while in the steam sauna). One study showed that people have high-stress jobs will dramatically decrease stress with the use of steam saunas. Essentially, you will leave a steam sauna feeling relaxed and mentally refreshed even after a long, stressful day.

Improved Circulation

The steam sauna can improve your circulation because the heat in the room can dilate and/or enlarge your blood vessels, which helps move your blood from your core area to your skin and lowers blood pressure. By doing this, your body will compensate by raising your heart rate, which improves circulation.

Reduced Blood Pressure

Can a steam sauna truly benefit your blood pressure? The answer is yes, it can. A study conducted in 2021 found that steam saunas can improve your heart function by lowering your blood pressure. Scientists noticed a major reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure from those who took a 10 to 15-minute steam bath once a week for 12 weeks.

Promotes Mental Wellness

Steam saunas greatly support mental wellness as it directs attention towards relaxation and diverts it from anxiety-producing factors like your job or even doomsday news stories. This study suggests that steam saunas create a state of mindfulness and turn your focus on your breath, which boasts many health benefits, including stress reduction, mood boosts, and sleep improvement.

How to Create a Steam Sauna in Your Home

As you have noticed, many of the steam rooms and saunas we discussed are set in social situations, meaning many people can enjoy them simultaneously. The real game changer in the steam sauna world right now is that it's incredibly easy to assemble and maintain a steam sauna in the comfort of your own home to get the full sauna experience without the social aspect. It's as easy as purchasing a stainless steel boiler and the actual sauna room if you want to go beyond a steam shower. You don't need someone to set it up as there are many instruction videos you can find online to set up your steam sauna.

 

How to Set Up a Steam Shower

 

Installing a steam shower generator to your shower or bathtub is pretty easy to create the ultimate steam sauna. All you really need is a little space in your attic, closet, or under a built-in shower bench, as long as it isn't exposed to the steam in your steam shower. From there, you will easily transform your shower or tub into the perfect steam shower to enjoy at your leisure. Of course, you also want to ensure that the space you intend to be your steam room should be enclosed to keep the steam in and should be constructed of tile, marble, or other non-porous material. It should additionally have a water-tight shower door and a drain.

The Best Steam Saunas to Purchase

Let’s introduce you to our two exceptional steam saunas that promise a world of relaxation and well-being. Discover the perfect addition to your home spa experience:

Summary of Steam Saunas

 

As you discovered, steam saunas boast many health benefits and have come a long way over the years. Now you can enjoy a steam sauna session in the comfort of your home without adding other people in the mix, not to mention these steam saunas are incredibly easy to install, so you don't have to deal with the headaches of hiring someone to do it for you.

 

If you want to discover more available steam saunas, please browse our extensive collection to learn more.

Don't hesitate to contact our team with any questions you might have as well.