The Finnish sauna is a sauna of dry heat, where the air has low humidity (10-25%) and a high temperature (90-110°C). From the nature of the impression and structure of the sauna room, it is more like a Russian bath. The word “Bath” is of Finnish origin, and means closed space, stove heated with stones, and built in order to create a dry hot bath.
The first sauna in Finland appeared in the 5th-8th centuries. Its main element was an oven, which was just a pile of stones. These stones were heated, and people took baths next to them. The Finnish sauna was built like a wooden log-house, usually consisting of one room. It was heated from the inside with smoke and fire; a method called "on-black."
At the end of the 18th century, Finnish saunas appeared by means of closed ovens with three holes: for the fire, for the steam and extraction, and for smoke removal. At the end of the 1930s, the first models of electric heaters were developed. Mass production of the electric oven began only in the 1940s. Its main advantage was the simplicity of use—one click of a button and the stones were heated by the electrical resistance. Another advantage of the electric oven is directly related to its convenience: it became possible to place a Finnish sauna in apartment bathrooms.
The Finnish sauna and a Russian steam bath differ primarily by moisture. In the steam bath, the temperature is 40-70 °C and relative humidity is 90-100%, while in the Finnish sauna the temperature is 90-110 °C, with humidity in the range of 10-25%. In a well-heated Sauna the air is dry, and when water is thrown on the stones the humidity increases for some time. The differing humidity and temperature management between baths and saunas are connected with the specifics of their impact on the human body. The relatively mild temperature conditions of the Finnish sauna facilitate the processes of thermoregulation and tolerance to high temperatures. Therefore, the sauna is recommended for older people, children and women.
For a comfortable and safe visit to the Finnish sauna, it is recommended to consider a few simple rules: before going to the sauna, take a shower and wipe yourself dry. In order to not burn the body, bathe sitting or lying down, and be sure to use a bath towel. Breathe with an open mouth, and try to speak as little as possible. Split your time in the sauna to several sessions of 5-10 minutes. Rest and cool in the swimming pool after every session.
