The sauna basics
Finns have saunas in their DNA. They know from an early age how to take a sauna properly and what is and is not allowed in the sweat room. But that can only be because they usually experience their first saunas as babies. By the way: sauna bathing is in the Finns' DNA. They know from an early age how to take a sauna properly and what is and isn't allowed in the sweat chamber. However, this can only be due to the fact that they usually experience their first sauna sessions as babies. Their way of using the sauna and steam bath has inspired and guided us.
Do- Our sauna tips
- A successful, healthy sauna session begins with taking off your clothes and cleansing your body. Even if you have already showered at home, you should shower again in the sauna facility, wash off deodorant or perfume residues and remove all make-up. This way your skin (and hair) are ready for the sauna.
- Invest in a real sauna towel! An ordinary towel won't do, because the whole body must have room on the towel - including the feet. Quality is also worthwhile, because there is no build-up of heat or wetness on high-quality towels.
- Drink plenty of fluids before and after a sauna session, preferably unsweetened teas or mineral water (but avoid coffee and alcohol). During a sauna session, you lose about 500 ml of fluid - and you need to replenish this. Experts advise you to quench your thirst afterwards to promote the purification process.
- Go to the sauna without worrying if you have skin diseases such as neurodermatitis, acne or psoriasis. Taking a sauna can provide relief from the symptoms.
- Loosen tensions in the sauna. The sequence of heat and the subsequent cold bath relaxes the muscles and promotes the healing process with increased blood circulation.
- Cool down slowly between sauna sessions and don't jump straight into the cold water! Instead, first get some fresh air, flood your lungs with oxygen and then, after about 2 minutes, take a cold shower. Always direct the water jet towards the heart: first the feet and legs, then the forearms, and finally the head and neck. The brave can then take a short dip in the cold water pool or lie down in the snow. But those who go outside should not cool down so much that they get goose bumps. It is better to walk up and down with quiet steps. The entire cooling process can take a good 10 minutes.
- Feel free to refresh yourself several times: repeated cold water applications train the blood vessels and increase the body's resistance.
- After cooling down, bathe your feet in warm water. This way, the body completely compensates for the temperature fluctuations and a pleasant feeling of warmth builds up.
- Massage and sauna are a super relaxing duo. But only choose massages that are relaxing - the sauna already puts enough strain on the circulation. Between the individual sauna sessions or afterwards is the ideal time for a massage.
- Sport also goes well with the sauna - but only in a certain order. You should always do sport first and then go to the sauna. After sports that put a strain on the circulation, you should wait until your pulse rate has returned to normal before taking a sauna.
- Go for the magic number three: so three sauna sessions are quite enough to be perfectly cleansed and relaxed. More important than the number of sauna sessions is the regularity of sauna use.
- If there is a sauna master making the sauna infusion, be in the cabin in good time and do not leave before a certain time has elapsed. The other sauna guests do not usually like it if the door is opened during the infusion.
Don't- What you shouldn't do in the sauna
- Never go to the sauna with a cold or acute infection! This is extremely stressful for the circulation and can lead to anything from headaches to cardiovascular weakness.
- Do not get onto the sauna bed soaked in the shower, but dry yourself well before entering the sauna: because dry skin sweats faster.
- Even if it's tempting: don't go to the sauna with cold feet. A warm foot bath before your first sauna session promotes circulation and healthy sweating.
- Do not show false ambition and stay too long in the cabin. It should be a maximum of 15 minutes per run. And two to three of these per day are enough.
- Do not visit the sauna with serious cardiovascular diseases - or only after consulting your doctor. You should also refrain from saunas if you have high blood pressure, weeping skin diseases or hyperthyroidism.
- Undress completely for the sauna - this way you do not hinder the sweating of the body. For health and hygiene reasons, it is not permitted to wear swimwear: Bikinis and the like emit unhealthy substances and chlorine residues.
- Do not run into the sauna with bathing shoes. So-called softeners could volatilise from the plastic sandals and lead to unpleasant odours.
- Don't climb all the way to the top straight away: sauna beginners should ideally look for a cabin seat at a medium height. It is hottest on the upper benches - so they are only suitable for advanced sauna users. If possible, lie on your back so that your entire body is in the same temperature range. Before you leave the sauna, however, straighten up for a moment and stay in the sitting position for a minute to readjust the blood circulation.
- Don't sleep during the break between saunas, because a nap like that brings your circulation down too much. Rather, allow your blood pressure to return to normal. The optimal resting time is between 15 and 20 minutes.
- It's not good to take a sauna on a full stomach - but not on an empty one either! Instead, you should have eaten a light, easily digestible meal beforehand.
- Do not apply any creams, scrubs or masks to the skin and hair before going to the sauna. The intensive conditions could disturb the acid mantle, lead to skin irritations or even allergies. An exception are products specially developed for sauna use, such as sauna honey or sauna gels.
Sauna and steam bath etiquette: how to behave appropriately
Finnish sauna etiquette would probably state the following:
Don't chat, don't flirt and don't watch other sauna visitors. What sounds so unsociable actually protects your privacy and increases the individual relaxation effect. A Finnish rule says it all: You should behave in the sauna as you would in church.
We would also like to recommend a few further rules of behaviour:
- Do not disturb the peace. If possible, speak in a hushed voice and avoid laughing too loudly. Switch off your mobile phone.
- Move carefully and keep a minimum distance from other sauna visitors - this applies all the more if the sauna is relatively crowded.
How do you deal with being naked?
Sauna etiquette in Finland and Switzerland states that you should enter the sauna naked. With the exception of special textile saunas, most local saunas actually prohibit the wearing of textiles. If you don't want to be naked yourself, you can enter the cabin wrapped in a large towel. If you are unsure how to behave, it is best to speak to the staff to find out what is permitted or customary.
Would you prefer to draw up your own sauna etiquette? Then a home sauna is probably the best choice. As a sauna manufacturer, Küng offers sauna construction for Switzerland and can design a sauna cabin to suit your taste. You can buy a sauna from us that stands out visually or choose a design that is based on the classic sauna aesthetic. Or the Finnish sauna.
