In the modern world there are a huge number of different baths. They differ among themselves not only in design, organization of the internal space and color, but also in the conditions during the procedure. It is the ratio of temperature and humidity that distinguishes one or another bathhouse in a separate form.
This is a very useful procedure. But a visit to a steam room should please a person. Only in this case is it advisable. To choose the right kind of procedure for yourself, you need to find out what baths are. This will be discussed in the article.
Microclimate
Studying the question of what baths are, it should be said first of all about the steam room microclimate. This classification is one of the main ones. After all, it depends on the microclimate whether it will be comfortable for a person to be inside. To date, 5 main types of baths are distinguished by the type of environmental impact on the body.
The first one is a steam bath. It is characterized by a mild microclimate. The temperature here is not very high (only up to 45 ° C), and humidity ranges from 90 to 100%.
The second type of microclimate is inherent in a steam sauna. Humidity is quite high (45-60%), but the temperature is already much higher. It reaches a mark of 60-70 ° C. Steam under these conditions settles on the skin, forming a thin water film. Under these conditions, the body warms up more.
The third type is a dry sauna. There is no steam in it, but the temperature is much higher (up to 110 ° C).
The fourth type of microclimate is called a wet sauna. This is a slightly transformed dry sauna. The temperature here is quite high (up to 95 ° C), but the humidity rises artificially. To do this, spray the stones with water. This is one of the most extreme and unsafe health options for the microclimate.
The fifth type is a water bath. This is essentially a hot tub. Water is heated to 50 ° C.
The way to increase the temperature
In the above varieties, the temperature is increased by special devices. The steam bath is heated by pipes with water, which are laid under various surfaces of the room.
In other varieties of steam rooms, furnaces may be used. They also differ in the device and the principle of heating.
What are the stoves for a bath, should be considered in more detail. The steam sauna uses a brick indoor heater. Sometimes a metal stove lined with a stone casing is used. In a dry and wet sauna, metal varieties of heaters are used. To prevent the temperature from dropping quickly, stones are placed inside the iron crate. They gain heat and give it into space for a long time.
The water bath uses a wood-burning metal stove. She is in a barrel of water.
Humidity
Considering the question of what baths are (photo is presented below), it is necessary to say about a way to maintain the humidity level for each type of microclimate.
In a steam bath, humidity is increased to the desired level with the help of boilers (or steam generators), which are arranged outside the walls. The floor and sun loungers are tiled here, with which water also evaporates under the influence of heat.
Steam sauna involves increasing the level of humidity by adding water to the hot stones of the furnace. Sometimes a boiler with water is placed on the heater. In a dry sauna, on the contrary, steam does not form. Humidity can be slightly increased if a small portion of water is poured onto the heater. A wet sauna uses the same procedure, but on a large scale. Every 30 minutes 0.5 liters of water are poured onto the stones.
In a water bath, steam does not affect a person. The body is heated only with hot water.
Russian sauna
Having considered the main characteristics of the microclimate, it is necessary to say a few words about the popular varieties of baths. When choosing a type of steam room, it will be interesting for every person to find out what bath-house layouts are, what they are called and how the whole procedure is going on.
The first, most popular in our country, is a Russian bath. She has a dressing room where you can change clothes and relax. Next is the main room. She corresponds to a type of microclimate called "steam sauna."
During the procedure, warm water is poured on the stones. At the same time, you need to stand away from the window of the furnace. Otherwise, steam may burn. Inside there are 3-4 wooden shelves. And, of course, there should be a broom in the steam room. They are soared, enhancing the positive effect of staying in the steam room.
Finnish sauna
The second most popular in our country is the Finnish sauna. It is built from light wood. The room is quite large. Attention should be paid to the very word "sauna", considering what baths are. The names of the microclimate, which were given earlier, contain it in a number of cases. In Finland, a sauna is called their special bath. But today this word has tightly entered into domestic life.
In the sauna, the procedure takes place at a low or medium steam level. Initially, it was a dry bath, but today even Finns like to pour hot stones on hot stones.
The lower the humidity inside the room, the higher the temperature can be pumped up during the procedure. Dry microclimate is well tolerated by people with high blood pressure. But with diabetes, atherosclerosis, tuberculosis, visiting the Finnish sauna is strictly prohibited.
Hammam - steam bath
The Turkish bath is called a hammam. The prevailing type of microclimate, which is called a steam bath. In shape, it resembles a palm. The round room in the center is a bathhouse. The corridors leading to her are like fingers. According to them, visitors can get into different steam rooms. They support different temperatures. Visitors go through all the premises.
Next, you need to go into the room with sunbeds. They differ from those used in the Russian and Finnish saunas. Studying the varieties of steam rooms, one can not help but say what are the benches for the bath. In the hammam they are heated. They are made of stone, decorated with mosaics.
After a good warm-up, a person can go on to the room with the lowest temperature. Here he is given a massage. Then visitors wash and go to the pool.
Japanese bath
Considering what types of baths are, one can not say about the exotic ofuro. In Japan, when bathing, preference is given to hot water. If it is a public bathhouse, it is called sento.
Here people come to chat, meet friends. They relax in the pool with hot water (temperature reaches 40-50 ° C). Benches here are also in the water. A bathhouse with the same principle of operation, but for home use, is called ofuro.
Before attending such a procedure, you must wash yourself under a hot shower. Water should not be above chest level. A hat is put on the head, which is periodically wetted with cold water. The procedure lasts no more than 10-15 minutes.
Taking ofuro, you can add orange peel, salts of thermal springs to the water. The Japanese believe that in such a bath a person is cleansed not only physically, but also spiritually.
Infrared sauna
Having considered what baths are, one cannot but pay attention to one of the new varieties. This is an infrared sauna. Its popularity is due to its small size and the way it affects the body. The booth in which the procedure takes place can be very small.
An infrared heater acts on the surface of the cab and the human body. The emitters inside are located in a special way. This allows infrared rays to penetrate under the skin up to 4 cm, to reach very deep layers. With ordinary heating, this effect cannot be achieved.
Stimulated fluid circulation in the tissues, blood circulation. In this case, the muscles train, the elasticity of blood vessels increases, and the tissues are saturated with oxygen. But the positive effect will become noticeable only after a few procedures. During the session, the body requires a plentiful drink. Sweat must be wiped with a towel. Otherwise, infrared rays cannot penetrate deep into the body. Having considered what baths are, you can choose the best option for yourself.