In the past, there have been plenty of debates over the appropriate garb for a sauna. Should you go naked as Nature intended, or don a swimming costume? Do leggings or jogging bottoms work best with a sauna blanket? And do you really need a long-sleeved T-shirt?
But now, a new factor has entered the mix – the sauna hat!
So why do you need a sauna hat? Is it just a fad, or a genuine sauna essential?
That’s what we’re here to find out! So step this way as we discover everything you need to know about sauna hats …
What is a Sauna Hat?
Sauna hats appear to have originated in Russia, where they were part of the banya sauna tradition. Here, the hats are made of woolen felt. They’re designed to cover both the top and sides of your head, including your ears.
Similar hats are also worn by some sauna users in Finland, home of the traditional sauna.
In many public saunas, you may be able to hire a sauna hat for your session. Traditional ones are shaped like a cloche. But if you’re looking for something to stand out from the crowd, there are other options.
We’ve found sauna hats shaped like flowers, a pilot’s cap, and even Sponge Bob Square Pants! So if you want to cut a dash in the sauna, the sauna hat could be the perfect solution.
But as striking as many of them are, the point of the sauna hat isn’t aesthetic! So what is it?
What’s the benefit Behind a Sauna Hat?
The idea behind a sauna hat is that it keeps your head cool. That might seem strange – after all, isn’t the idea of a sauna to get hot?
Well yes – but you don’t want to overheat. Staying in a sauna too long or at too high a temperature can lead to serious problems. You may become dehydrated. And worse, if you’re unable to maintain your core temperature at the right level, you can suffer heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
These conditions can result in feeling thirsty, all the way to losing consciousness and even death. So it’s very important to take them seriously.
A sauna hat can help by providing some protection from the heat for your head. The long sides can also prevent your ears from burning if they’re not covered by hair. And if you have plenty of hair, it can stop the steam in the sauna from making it brittle.
How Does a Sauna Hat Work?
Although it might seem counter-intuitive, sauna hats are made from thick, well-insulated material. They’re most commonly made of woolen felt, although we’ve also heard of hats made of fur.
That might sound as if you’re going to be getting a very warm head. After all, these are the kinds of materials we look for in a hat to keep us warm on a wintery walk.
The difference, though, comes in the air temperature. If we’re outside in winter, we want to prevent the heat from our head being lost to the air. Materials like wool are good insulators, so the heat finds it difficult to get through.
The same principle applies in the sauna. In this case, though, we want to prevent the hot air of the sauna from reaching our head. While the heat generated by our bodies will stay inside the hat, the much hotter air outside it can’t get in. As a result, we stay much cooler than we otherwise would.
Of course, the rest of your body will still get warm and sweat. But most people find the sauna experience much more comfortable when wearing a hat. And that allows them to enjoy a longer session without any unwanted side effects like feeling sick or tired.
Sauna Hats and Hair
For those of us who have hair on our heads, our hair performs a similar function to the sauna hat. Hair is designed to keep our head warm – and it’s just as good at keeping it cool in very hot conditions.
A sauna hat will still provide extra insulation, though. And for bald sauna users, it will make an especially big difference.
For those with hair, saunas can also have some unfortunate effects on their crowning glory. That’s because the moisture in the steam can get into the cuticles – the outermost part of the hair structure. That moisture then expands the cuticle, leading to frizzy hair.
And if your hair tends towards the curly anyway, you can end up with a truly spectacular amount of frizz!
A sauna hat can avoid all that by preventing the damp air reaching your cuticles. It will help keep your hair looking sleek – or at the very least, will make it easier to get a brush or comb through it after you leave the sauna!
Other Options
So there are plenty of advantages to wearing a sauna hat. But what if you hate hats? Don’t worry – there are also plenty of ways to get the same benefits without one!
One easy way is to replace the sauna with a sauna blanket. With these, you simply wrap your body inside and let the infrared light heat up your skin. Because your head stays outside the blanket, you won’t need to worry about wearing a hat to protect it.
Remember that you do need to cover your skin when using a sauna blanket. The inside can get hot, which can be uncomfortable and even lead to burns if you don’t. Place a towel inside the blanket before you use it too. That will help absorb the sweat.
If you want to stick with a traditional sauna, though, you can. Wrapping a towel around your head will do much the same job as a sauna hat. The layers of cotton will provide good insulation and help keep your head cool. And it will draw less attention than a Sponge Bob Square Pants hat!
And if you want to stay comfortable in the sauna for longer, you can always turn down the heat. A lower temperature will be just as effective in giving you that feeling of relaxation. And you’ll be able to enjoy a lengthier session without risking dehydration or heat exhaustion.
If you’re worried about dry or frizzy hair, there are other options too. Applying a leave-in conditioner before you enter the sauna will close your cuticles. That will prevent the moist air from getting inside and causing the frizz.
You can also spray your hair with water, or a mixture of water and conditioner, before you get into the sauna. That will keep the hot air from drying out your hair.
And if you want to, you can even use the sauna as part of your hair care regime! Apply the conditioner, then cover your hair in a plastic shower cap. Now hit the sauna. The combination of heat and conditioner will leave your hair nourished and shiny.
Stay Well – With or Without a Sauna Hat
Whether or not you choose to wear a sauna hat, it’s important to protect yourself from the effects of heat and sweating.
One important way to do that is to make sure you stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before you get into the sauna or use a sauna blanket. Do the same when you get out too. And keep water on hand to sip while you enjoy the heat.
Doing this will ensure you replace the fluid you’re losing as you sweat. And it will prevent tiredness, dizziness and the other symptoms of dehydration.
Don’t drink alcohol before you use a sauna either. That will make you more prone to dehydration. And if you’re tipsy, you may be less able to notice the signs of too much heat.
It’s also important to remember that a sauna hat doesn’t mean you can stay in the sauna for as long as you like. Make sure you listen to your body at all times. If you start to feel uncomfortable, get out straight away. It’s a sign your body is dehydrating or struggling to maintain its correct temperature.
Leave the sauna and drink plenty of water. You may want to lie down until you feel better. And if your symptoms don’t disappear, seek medical advice. Remember – heat stroke is a very serious condition, and it needs prompt treatment.
Ready to Get a Sauna Hat?
That brings us to the end of our answer to the question of why do you need a sauna hat! We hope it’s helped you decide whether a sauna hat is for you.
They certainly have plenty of advantages, from keeping your head cool, to avoiding burnt ears and frizzy hair. But they’re not a cure-all. You still need to stay hydrated during and after your sauna, and don’t overdo the heat.
And if you don’t like the idea of a hat, don’t worry! A towel turban can help keep your head and ears cool. And a spritz of conditioner before you get into the sauna will help prevent dry and brittle hair.
Whether or not you choose to try a sauna hat, we hope you enjoy your next sauna!
