The traditional sauna originated in Finland, but we can have more other options nowadays, including an infrared sauna, steam room, or portable sauna, as well.
As you probably know, the primary aim of the sauna is to enhance your emotional state and physical wellbeing. However, one of the crucial questions is what to wear in the sauna once you decide to use it. Let’s uncover the mystery together.
Think about Your Preferences
Believe it or not, your first step before entering the sauna is to undress completely and take a shower. It is necessary to take off the dusty and dirty clothes and shoes you have worn throughout the working day.
If you enter the sauna dressed in everyday clothes, the heat will release dirt and dust into the air. Consequently, it will decrease the benefits you can get from the sauna.
After that, you should decide what to wear or avoid having on during these 10 to 45 minutes. Basically, it will depend on your attitude towards social norms and personal comfort.
If you don’t care about conventions, take the clothes off and let every part of your body to have the benefits of the high temperatures and consequential sweating. Of course, you also don’t need to worry about the clothes if you have your own home sauna. In that case, feel the benefits of using the sauna while naked.
Otherwise, you should decide what to wear while sitting inside the public sauna. Whatever your choice is, you should definitely follow the simple rules to wear as little clothes as possible and to avoid wearing the wrong stuff.
Your goal should be to relax and enjoy the benefits of the sauna as much as possible. What is the point of spending time feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed?
Wear the Right Clothes in the Sauna
1. Swimsuit
Even though swimsuit is a practical solution, it can be dangerous for your health. Like every other clothes made out of PVC fabrics, it will prevent the breathing of your skin. Not to mention the possibility of melting and giving off toxic chemicals and fumes on the high temperatures.
Additionally, that insulating material will make you feel uncomfortable after spending some time in the heat. You won’t enjoy wearing anything absorbing too much heat.
Therefore, you should choose a loose-fitting bathing suit made from natural fibers if possible. That kind of material will allow better ventilation while sitting in the sauna.
Also, take care not to wear the swimsuit with metal parts, to prevent getting them hot and burning your skin.
2. Towel
Regardless of whether you use a swimming suit or not, you will need a towel in the sauna. Basically, if you don’t want PVC fabrics on your skin while enjoying the heat, the towel is everything you need. Otherwise, you can wear a swimsuit but also use the soft towel to place it on a bench before sitting.
The Finns believe that wearing just a towel around the waist is the only way to get the ultimate experience. It will be enough to protect both your privacy and the bench from your sweat and spreading bacteria.
My advice is to pick out the towel made of cotton. That material will entirely absorb your sweat and help you feel comfortable.
3. Something made of cotton
If you feel that your swimsuit is not enough for you or you want to avoid it, you can wear something comfortable made of cotton. A classic, oversized T-shirt, loose-fitting cotton wrap, and shorts are always an excellent choice for the sauna.
They will absorb excess heat and let your skin breathe freely. Always wear clean clothes, dressed on just before getting inside. Keep in mind that wearing these clothes doesn’t mean that you should avoid bringing the towel in the sauna.
On the contrary, if you don’t need the towel as a cover, it will be necessary to put it on the bench and sit on it. That way, you will keep yourself safe from bacteria and the seat clean at the same time.
One more tip! Try to skip tight underwear, especially your bra, to avoid discomfort, which tight clothes can cause in the cabin with high temperature and humidity.
4. Loofah
Some users enjoy using a loofah to scrub off dry, dead skin while taking the sauna. Yes, it is fantastic and highly beneficial for your skin, but you should think twice before using it.
Using the loofah in your private, portable infrared sauna is OK, but scrubbing your body in the public sauna is impolite towards other users, don’t you think?
5. Footwear
Never wear shoes while using the sauna, especially the ones using outdoors. You can wear the shower sandals to avoid walking barefoot on slippery tiles, but you need to take them off once you get inside.
Wearing footwear while you sit on the bench is not polite to other people sharing that sauna with you. It is exceptionally rude to put the shower sandals on the lower sit while lying on the upper one.
What to Avoid in the Sauna
Whether you use the traditional or infrared sauna, there are things you shouldn’t bring inside, including:
- Dirty and tight-fitting clothes – It is uncomfortable to let the heat loosen the dust and release it into the air.
- Workout clothes and sweat suit – All clothes made of PVC is the wrong choice when you use the sauna since it may melt at high temperature.
- Jewelry made of metal and piercing – It will heat up and may hurt you.
- Lotions and creams – They will clog up your pores and prevent your skin to breath freely
Conclusion
Going nude to the sauna is hygienic and probably the best choice of all. There is no other way to get the ultimate enjoyment and feel all the benefits of sweating. The best of all, if you enter the sauna naked, you don’t need to worry about what to wear. The answer is simple – nothing!
Unfortunately, most of us hesitate about this unconventional approach. If you are one of those people who feel uncomfortable wearing nothing in a public place, you have a few options available. All in all, the only thing that matters is to get the best that the sauna offers.
