SAUNA TYPES

Explore the features and characteristics of saunas to choose the right one for you!

FINNISH SAUNA

Temperature: 85-120⁰С
Humidity: 5-15%
Number of sessions per sauna visit: 6-7
Duration of one session: 10-15 min

A true Finnish sauna is very similar to the Russian banya, also known as a steam sauna. In a Finnish sauna, steam is produced by pouring water on the heated stones. Just like in the Russian banya, you can also use birch whisks in the Finnish sauna. The main difference between the Finnish sauna and other types of steam saunas is the extremely high heat, as the air temperature rises to as high as 120°C.

Health benefits of the Finnish sauna

The Finnish sauna improves blood circulation in the skin and provides a positive cosmetic effect. The sauna is beneficial for health due to the optimal balance between humidity and temperature.

How to use a Finnish sauna?

Take a shower before entering the steam room for the first time, but do not wash with soap. No need to wet your hair. Then dry yourself. If you are a beginner, limit yourself to 4 minutes the first time you stay in the steam room. An experienced sauna user can stay in the steam room for 7-8 minutes. When leaving the sauna, you should rest for at least 15 minutes.

Subsequent sessions can be longer but should not exceed 15 minutes. Between sessions, take a cool shower, gradually lowering the water temperature. Drink cool mineral water, herbal tea, natural kvass, or juice. The total duration of the sauna visit should not exceed three hours.

RUSSIAN BANYA

Temperature: 50-60⁰С
Humidity: 40-70%
Number of sessions per sauna visit: 5-7
Duration of one session: 10-20 min

In the Russian banya, there is a large brick stove used to heat the steam room. These stoves produce invisible, soft, velvet-like light steam, which is generated when the stones in the stove are heated to over +350°C.

Health benefits of the Russian banya

In Slavic culture, there is a legendary saying: the banya is like a second mother — it softens the bones and heals the whole body. The heat in the banya increases and cleanses all the body’s pores, removing dirt and dead skin cells. After repeated sauna visits, the physiological properties of the skin improve, fat metabolism normalizes, and blood circulation improves.

Thanks to intense sweating, oxidation processes are activated — proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and microelements are better absorbed, which significantly aids in weight loss.

How to use a Russian banya?

Before visiting the banya, do not eat a heavy meal. Have a light snack an hour to an hour and a half before the sauna, and avoid alcohol on sauna days. Before entering the steam room, take a warm shower (36-38°C) to warm up your body and prepare it for the extreme temperatures.

The first time you enter the steam room is to warm up your body and allow it to adapt to the heat. At this stage, whisks are not used, although you can take them into the steam room and soak them. The second session in the steam room is longer, lasting 10-15 minutes. During this time, your body will sweat well, and you can also experience the benefits of using the whisk. After leaving the steam room, passionate sauna lovers jump into cold water, rub themselves with snow, or douse themselves with a bucket of cold water.

STEAM SAUNA

Temperature: 43-46⁰С
Humidity: 100%
Number of sessions per sauna visit: 2-4
Duration of one session: 10-20 min

A steam sauna is a steam room lined with ceramic tiles, mosaic tiles, or natural stone. Today, the steam sauna is one of the most popular SPA treatments. The optimal temperature for a steam sauna is considered to be 43-46⁰C, which is ideal for people who cannot tolerate high heat and for children.

Health benefits of the steam sauna

The steam sauna reduces the body’s sensitivity to weather changes and makes it less susceptible to pathogens. Blood circulation in the skin is strengthened. The sebum and sweat that clog pores are softened and expelled, allowing the skin to breathe better. The cleansed body becomes firmer, improving the body's vitality. The steam sauna is relaxing and restores your energy reserves.

How to use a steam sauna?

You can stay in the steam sauna for up to 30 minutes. Before visiting the sauna, avoid eating heavy meals and drinking alcohol.

INFRARED SAUNA

Temperature: 40-50⁰С
Humidity: 0%
Number of sauna sessions per sauna session: 1
Duration of one session: 20-40 min

In an infrared sauna, the body is heated by thermal waves emitted by infrared heaters. This radiation is perceived as a pleasant, soft warmth that primarily heats the body, not the air in the sauna. The thermal waves penetrate up to 4 cm deep into the body, which is much more intense compared to the heating of the body in a traditional Finnish sauna (up to 5 mm). The infrared cabin helps save both time and energy, heating up in just 15-20 minutes.

Health benefits of the infrared sauna

Infrared rays penetrate deep into the body, warming all organs, muscles, bones, and joints, significantly speeding up blood and lymph circulation. This boosts immunity and helps prevent colds even in cold and damp weather. The infrared sauna has the most profound cleansing effect on the body. This type of sauna warms up the muscles and subcutaneous connective tissue, burning 1600 kilocalories in just one and a half hours!

How to use an infrared sauna?

It is recommended to visit the infrared sauna in the evening after an active workout. Before going to the sauna, have a light snack or drink vegetable or citrus juice, and take a shower. During your sauna session, it's a good idea to drink some water.

ANY QUESTIONS?

Be sure to check out the "Frequently Asked Questions" section! If you don't find an answer to your question there, come consult with Saunamaailm experts in-store or contact us via email or phone.