Heat baths, as they are also known, have positive effects on both the body and the mind. The steam bath has its origins in the "Turkish bath", which in eastern countries is used as a ritual for the care of the body and mind, linked to the Muslim religion. The bath has controlled temperatures with clouds of hot steam that oscillate between 35 and 60 degrees C. It is carried out in closed areas equipped with special materials that ensure its duration and low contamination.
In a traditional sauna, you start with a heater, which raises the temperature of a pile of rocks, and radiates dry heat into the room. In most saunas, you can pour water over the hot stones to generate a little steam and increase the humidity, although it is nowhere near the level of a steam bath. Saunas have a vent hole, which is usually located near the floor next to the heater. This draws in the fresh air, limiting the build-up of moisture. Some saunas use infrared light.
Inside a steam room, a device called a steam generator boils water and releases it into the air. Unlike a sauna, a steam room is almost airtight, so the humidity accumulates 100%. Here, the air is so humid that the water condenses on the walls. The body cannot detect much of a difference due to humidity variations. A typical sauna can be set between 160 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit (around 70 and 90 degrees Celsius), with a humidity level of 5% to 30%.
Steam baths, meanwhile, peaked at around 110 to 120 degrees (around 40 to 50 degrees Celsius), but the humidity prevents sweat from evaporating, causing some people to feel hotter. Hot, dry, or humid air always rises, and therefore, in saunas and steam rooms, the higher you sit, the warmer you get.