Why do we sweat in the sauna and what is the function of sweat?
When we sit in the sauna, we feel sweaty and exhausted after a short time. But why is that? Why do we sweat in the sauna and what does the sweat do?
Sweating is a natural reaction of our body to regulate body temperature. When it gets too hot, we sweat to cool the body down. During this process, sweat is secreted from sweat glands that are distributed throughout the skin. Sweat consists mainly of water and salts and has a cooling effect on the skin.
In the sauna, the temperature can rise up to 100 degrees Celsius. This causes our bodies to try to cool down by sweating more. The sweat is absorbed by the skin, evaporates and thereby cools the body.
Besides cooling the body, sweat has other functions. For example, it helps to remove pollutants and harmful substances from the body. Sweat also plays an important role in regulating water and electrolyte balance.
So overall, sweating has an important function for our body and is a natural process. Therefore, it is also important to drink enough fluids so that the body can produce enough sweat.
So the next time you sweat in the sauna, remember that your body is just trying to cool down and cleanse the skin. So use the sauna to relax and do something good for your body.
Reasons to wipe the sweat in the sauna
Sweating serves an important purpose and is the body’s natural method of regulating temperature. When the skin temperature rises, sweat is produced and evaporates on the skin, cooling it. So the sweat itself has an important function and should not simply be wiped away.
Nevertheless, there are some reasons why some people wipe the sweat in the sauna. A common reason is the uncomfortable feeling that can occur when sweat runs into the eyes or sticks to the skin. If sweat bothers you, be sure to wipe it off carefully for a more pleasant sauna experience.
Another reason why you should wipe off the sweat in the sauna is the unpleasant smell that can sometimes come from sweat. However, this can usually be avoided if you shower extensively before visiting the sauna. Fresh sweat does not smell!
Reasons for not wiping sweat in the sauna
Sweating is the body’s natural way of cooling down when it gets too hot. Sweat is formed in response to an increase in skin temperature and evaporates to lower the surface temperature of the body. Sweat acts as a barrier that keeps the skin from drying out, but wiping it off removes that barrier.
Wiping sweat too often can lead to dry, sensitive skin. This can irritate the skin and spoil the sauna session. The sweat of the skin forms a natural barrier against infections. Sweat acts as a barrier against germs and viruses, so wiping it off is counterproductive.
Sweating helps to keep the skin moist. Sweat contains moisture, which is necessary for the skin to look fresh and well-groomed, and this moisture is lost when you wipe it off. The sweat on the skin also has a relaxing effect. If you wipe off the sweat, it removes the relaxing effect and may interfere with the sauna experience.
Tip: According to sauna etiquette, it is inappropriate to simply wipe away sweat with your hand in the sauna. Beads of sweat flying around should be avoided.
A brief summary
Reasons to wipe the sweat in the sauna:
- Unpleasant feeling when sweat runs into the eyes or sticks to the skin
- Unpleasant smell of the sweat
Reasons not to wipe the sweat in the sauna:
- Protection of the skin from dehydration and irritated skin
- Protection against infections
- Preservation of skin moisture
- Relaxing effect of sweat on the skin
Our conclusion
In summary, sweating in the sauna has an important function and is of great importance for the body. It helps regulate body temperature and remove pollutants and harmful substances from the body.
While some people wipe off sweat in the sauna to feel more comfortable or to prevent unpleasant odors, there are also good reasons for not wiping off sweat. These include protecting the skin from dehydration and irritation, maintaining skin moisture and the relaxing effect of sweat on the skin.
Overall, it is important to view sweating in the sauna as a natural process and to allow the body to cool down and relax.
