Sauna etiquette and tips

Just wanted to say thanks for all the help 🙂

I finally made it through my visit to the Spa (barely survived)

And honestly, everything turned out exactly how Megan Long96 said it would:

You guys are great. I actually just went ahead and grabbed an annual membership to the Spa 🙏

Alex Wilson said:Just wanted to say thanks for all the help. 🙂

I made it out of the Spa alive—barely.

And everything went exactly how Megan Long96 said it would.

You guys are great—I actually just went ahead and grabbed an annual membership for the Spa. 🙏

🙂Tell me about it...

If you go to http://www.wiesbaden.de/ and search
for the Spa, then click the link for the Spa area, you can see all thirteen different types they offer. I had an annual pass there all last year—and during those particularly rough weeks, I’d just grab a weekend package to reset... felt like being born again.
🙂

Cheers once more from a fellow spa addict. 😁 👋

A buddy told me he basically "found salvation" through the sauna. So, naturally, I went. It was a Finnish-style setup—you pour water over the hot stones and all that. Since it wasn't free, I figured I should get my money's worth, so I stayed in there for about 50 minutes total. I did maybe six or seven rounds, roughly seven minutes each, followed by a cold shower after every session. Then back in again. Well, now I’ve been in a complete fog for two days straight. My sinuses are gone, and my whole body just aches. I'm currently chugging about 17 liters of water a day just to keep up. Anyone else have experience with this? Did I overdo the duration, or do I just need to build up some tolerance?

I spent several years working in a sauna... and let me tell you, looking at some of the regulars who used to come in (some of whom had been hitting the heat their entire lives), I didn't notice them being any healthier than the rest of the population... if anything, they seemed to deal with heart attacks, angina, arterial plaque... the usual stuff you see in the average American... 😵I don't have the exact statistics or percentages to compare how common this is in the US versus elsewhere, but based on what I saw and heard (if "heard" is even the right way to put it, but 🤣well...), I think it's a massive, massive, massive misconception that saunas actually do wonders for your cardiovascular system... ☕

In my view, the original purpose of the sauna, maybe a hundred years ago, was purely for physical pleasure (because, let’s be honest, that cooling sensation after a session is incredibly relaxing, actually fantastic); and for socializing—sort of as a way of building community)...
As for it being "beneficial"... honestly, from everything I witnessed, I just don't buy it.

Sure, if you say it clears out your sinuses—that sounds realistic, logical, and I've actually seen it happen, so I can believe that. 🙂
But preventing heart disease and vascular issues? Yeah, right.... ☕

Anyone know where I can find infrared saunas around Los Angeles or the surrounding areas?
Not just some fancy spa zone or whatever—I mean a specific room or booth where you can actually book a private session..

Is there anywhere?

Looking for full-body setups—not those weird little things where your head sticks out 🤣

Just figured I’d breathe some life back into this thread since it feels like it’s been ages since anyone actually posted anything. I was wondering if you guys had any solid recommendations for saunas in the Washington, D.C. area? I’m looking for places that actually maintain their hygiene standards—you know, somewhere that doesn't feel sketchy—and I’d love to get a heads-up on what the pricing usually looks like at those spots.

Figured I’d jump back into this thread. I don't have any recommendations for Washington, D.C., but wouldn't it be easy enough to just head out to Tuhelj, Catez, or maybe some spots over in the Midwest?
I recently started hitting the sauna, and honestly, it’s been a game changer. Despite the winter weather, I haven't dealt with a single cold or flu so far.
The only thing that bugs me about the smaller saunas here in the States is how people ignore basic etiquette—specifically, the rule about not wearing swimsuits. If someone is shy or doesn't want to show off their "private parts," they can just wrap up in a towel. Synthetic fabric just smells bad and gets in the way. I've tried both ways...

So, are you guys regular sauna users? And more importantly, have you noticed any weird side effects on your health?

For me, I’ve been hitting the sauna about 2 or 3 times a week for almost a year now (though my consistency is pretty hit-or-miss). Honestly, it feels incredible. I feel "lighter" immediately after—it’s like this massive mental and physical reset. It even seems to help with my weight loss goals since I’m sweating out so much water.

But, there’s a catch. I’ve got this annoying side effect where I just keep sweating even after I leave the sauna. Like, for 15 or 20 minutes afterward, I’m still dripping. It gets super awkward too; if I end up in a crowded, warm place, my face starts sweating instantly, so I’ve actually started avoiding big crowds during peak hours just to avoid the embarrassment. It takes a while to level out—maybe like 10 days (usually right around my period)—of not going at all before things stabilize, but as soon as I start again, the whole thing repeats. It’s totally out of my control.

Also, ladies, has anyone heard that saunas can mess with your cycle? I’m pretty sure it’s happening to me because my period has arrived up to 10 days early a few times now. Is that actually harmful, or is it just because my body hasn't fully adjusted yet? (I'm 22).

What kind of sauna would you recommend for a beginner?
Salt or infrared?

I’m not really a fan of high heat, humidity, or steam, but I’d love to give a sauna a shot just so I don't pass out while trying it.

Is it harder to handle high temps (around 175-210°F) or high humidity (90-100%)? I've been browsing different types online, and it seems like the ones with lower temperatures always have crazy high humidity, and vice versa. I can't seem to find anything that sits around 105°F with 50% humidity.😁

Humidity doesn't bother me much unless it's raining outside, but when it's hot out, the moisture is just too much.🕺

Rebecca Reed3 said:What kind of sauna would you suggest for a beginner?
Salt, infrared?

I’m not a fan of high heat, humidity, or steam, but I want to try a sauna once—just so I don't pass out while I'm there.

Is it harder to handle high temps (around 175-210°F) or high humidity (90-100%)? I've been looking online at different types, and it seems like the ones with lower temps have massive humidity, and vice versa. I can't find anything around 105°F with 50% humidity.😁

Humidity doesn't bother me unless it's raining outside; otherwise, I can't stand it when it's hot.🕺

Traditional American style, or Roman baths.
Infrared is alright, I guess. Personally, I go for the traditional or Turkish styles—the hotter, the better. Then hit the ice bath.👍

boldnomad45 said:Finland, and Roman.
Infrared is just meh. Personally, I'm all about Finland or Turkey—whatever hits harder. Throw me in the deep end.👍

Hmm, infrared isn't really my thing either. I skipped it because infrared heating just doesn't appeal to me.

Finland? No thanks. Too hot for me.

So, Turkey is the only option left.

I stopped by a wellness center once and tried one of those "gentle" saunas—about 85-105 degrees with 50% humidity. That’s more for relaxing muscles after a workout.

Question for anyone who wears prescription glasses and can't live without them—or can't live without the sauna 😁—how do you handle that combo? I'm worried my lenses will fog up instantly in a Turkish bath, and without them, I might actually trip over something in the dark 🕺 (my prescription is -5)... I read somewhere that even soft contacts aren't a smart move in a sauna...

Feel free to walk in there with soft soles; nothing is going to happen to them.

I absolutely love hitting the sauna, and I’ve got some downtime coming up soon to get my sweat on—but there's a catch. My blood pressure tends to tank pretty fast when I'm in there, which leads to that nasty dizzy feeling, or even those moments where everything just starts going black.
Any tips on how to stop that from happening?🕺

Angela Howard, I honestly don't think you're going to be able to help me much here. For instance, I feel perfectly fine while I'm just lying down, but the moment I stand up and sit on that lower bench, I get this dizzy spell. To top it off, my personal record was maybe six or seven minutes, and even then, it was only because my skin started feeling like it was actually on fire—especially my thighs and lips, which end up looking bright red after the sauna. Is that actually normal, or should I just stay far away from it? Also, I'm curious how everyone manages the transition between the dry sauna and the steam room, you know, that super humid space? Do you go from one straight into the other, or is it better not to mix them on the same day? And ladies, please tell me: are you using any specific face, hair, or body masks during or after these sessions?

A few days ago, I found myself indulging in a bit of a sauna marathon. I cycled through three different varieties of Finnish saunas at varying temperatures—ranging from a mild 60-75 degrees up to a more intense 70-80—alongside infrared sessions and even a stint in the steam room.
I spent about two and a half hours total navigating this circuit. Honestly, I wasn't even keeping track of the minutes; I was simply following my body's lead and staying in until I felt I had reached my limit. I didn't really bother with any elaborate combinations or strategic rotations either; I just drifted into whichever unit happened to be vacant at the moment, as there is something quite profound about having the space entirely to oneself. By my count, I hit the steam room twice, probably five Finnish sessions, and about five infrared rounds. Eventually, once I started feeling a bit lightheaded and unsteady, I realized I had pushed things just far enough. My routine involves retreating to a lounge area to rest and sip some tea whenever I sense I’ve overextended myself. For me, a two-to-three-hour soak is the absolute sweet spot. Regardless of the intensity, I can certainly say my sinus issues have cleared up significantly. No side effects to report, just pure relaxation.

Can anyone recommend a good sauna in Washington, D.C.?
I'm not really looking for anything fancy or high-end design-wise. For my first time, I just need a solid, functional setup—either Turkish or Finnish style—with friendly staff.
So far, I’ve narrowed my options down to Verizon, SpaFinder, and Sensa Spa.
Has anyone here actually been to any of those? If not, I'd love to hear your own suggestions. 🙂

Also, how long should a beginner stay in the sauna?
Even though I'm new to this, I stay pretty active and have good physical stamina. I can handle a decent amount of fatigue and discomfort.