What to Wear in a Steam Room?
Visitors from the world of steam rooms, where relaxing and bathing go together in hand. But what you wear will determine how much these benefits are noticed. Not only is it important to dress comfortably when using a steam room, but it’s also important for your health and safety.
You may be asking yourself, What to Wear in a Steam Room? We’ve covered all the key suggestions, techniques, and manners for sauna sets that any beginner should be aware of in this guide. We’ll also advise you on what not to wear in a Steam Room because some clothes may be unpleasant or even harmful in the high temperatures.Â
What is a Steam Room?

Steam rooms are restricted, heated, and moist environments used for healing and relaxation. Even with brief use, humidity and heat can have a substantial positive impact on circulation, assist relax muscles, and lower stress levels. A steam room is usually a tiny, enclosed chamber with seats that is heated by a steam generator.
While some of these rooms are made of wood, materials without pores that can avoid high humidity levels, such as tile, marble, or stone, are typically used in their construction. Steam rooms typically have temperatures between 40 and 50 °C and up to 100% humidity.
Read also: Is It Safe to Use a Sauna with Stitches?
Steam Room Benefits

Several health benefits can be obtained from steam rooms:
Enhances Circulation
Regularly visiting a steam room might improve heart function, especially in elderly people. The moist heat helps in the expansion of small blood vessels, boosting the body’s ability to carry oxygen and blood overall. This treatment can help restore damaged skin tissue, decrease blood pressure, and improve the heart.
Boosts Skin Health
The heat from steam rooms encourages sweating, which opens pores and purges the skin of dirt and dead cells. In contrast to saunas, this procedure may help remove toxins that are hidden under the skin’s surface and help in the treatment of acne.
Reduces Stress
The heat of a steam room causes endorphins to be set free, and endorphins are believed to reduce stress. Moreover, it lessens the stress hormone cortisol, which makes users feel more refreshed and at ease.
Opens Lungs
The steam can relax the tissues, which in turn helps to facilitate breathing. Treating colds and clearing sinuses may benefit from this.
Calorie Burn
Steam rooms can raise heart rates and help in calorie burning, they should be used alongside a suitable workout routine. It is important to stay hydrated because the loss of water in a steam room is typically the cause of any weight loss. While steam rooms don’t help people lose weight on their own, they can improve overall wellness when used alongside a nutritious diet and regular workouts.
Promotes Post-Workout Recovery
Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), a type of post-exercise muscle pain, may arise. Moist heat from a steam room can relax muscles and calm the nervous system, lessening discomfort and maintaining strength.
Improves Mental Wellness
By distracting attention from worry and excessive news consumption, heat-based treatments like steam rooms may improve mental wellness. Using heat treatment promotes breath awareness and mindfulness, which can lead to better sleep, less stress, and feeling happier via self-care.
Relaxes Stiff Joints
Using a steam room before exercise has the same benefits as a pre-workout warm-up in terms of increasing joint mobility and decreasing stiffness. Wet heat may heal just as well as dry heat and even be applied more quickly.
COVID-19
It’s not a good idea to use a steam room if you have COVID-19, but the study is looking into how the mild heat stress that comes from saunas, steam rooms, and hot springs may replicate fever and strengthen the body’s defenses against viruses, including COVID-19. Heat therapy has been used traditionally to treat disorders, even though there are currently no treatment suggestions for COVID-19.
Steam Room Risks

Although steam rooms have many benefits, users need to be informed of certain issues. Because the extreme heat might cause dehydration, it’s advised to stay well-hydrated before entering and to spend no more than 10 minutes there.
The moisture promotes the growth of fungi and bacteria, which raises the risk of illnesses like athlete’s foot. Using a towel and wearing sandals or shower shoes can help reduce this danger. For some people, such as the following, steam rooms are not advised:
- People with extremely high or low blood pressure.
- Individuals affected by epilepsy.
- Pregnant people.
- Individuals suffering from heart diseases.
- Anyone using alcohol, Drugs tranquilizers, or medicines.
Read also: Sauna vs Hot tub: Which is better for you?
Why It is Important to Dress Properly?

Your clothing selection is an important factor that determines your health and safety when using steam rooms. Improper clothing might put you at risk due to the intense heat and humidity. Materials that are breathable and heat-tolerant help in maintaining body temperature, and avoiding skin irritation and overheating.
Dressing appropriately might improve your steam room experience. Wearing loose clothing enables your skin to breathe and benefit from the increased circulation and cleansing that come with steam.
It is important to consider not just what you wear but also what you don’t wear. You may avoid discomfort and possible health risks by avoiding synthetic fabrics and tight clothing, which will let your visit to the steam room be a relaxing one.
Top Materials for Steam Room Clothing
It matters what you wear inside the hot comfort of a steam room. Choose materials that breathe, such as bamboo or cotton. By absorbing moisture and letting your skin breathe, these natural fibers save you from overheating. Clothing made of cotton is perfect for steam rooms since it doesn’t retain heat and is kind to the skin.
Synthetic fabrics such as nylon or polyester should be avoided. They may cause discomfort and even skin rashes by absorbing heat and moisture. Limiting the detoxification process are these components, which stop sweating from evaporating normally.
Hemp and linen are great fabric options for individuals who value sustainability in the environment. They are sustainable as well as breathable, which fits with the wellness concept of reducing environmental effects.
What to Wear in a Steam Room?

While there are not any strict rules about what to wear in a steam chamber, you should keep the following points in mind while dressing for a steam session. Wearing loose-fitting clothing made of natural fibers like cotton, bamboo, or linen is ideal.
These breathable materials help keep your skin dry even when you sweat by improving air circulation and having breathable qualities. This is particularly crucial if you want to incorporate a sauna session into your workout routine. These materials are often softer and more pleasant to the skin, enabling you to fully experience the calming benefits of a sauna.
What to Wear in a Steam Room for Men?
It is comfortable and private while letting your body sweat freely, most guys wear panties in steam rooms. But if you want to go all out for the real bathhouse experience, or if you’re attending a spa that has dress codes, these are some possible options:
- Gym shorts or a bathing suit composed of cotton or another natural material.
- A towel hanging over the shoulders or wrapped around the waist.
- A breathable or light t-shirt.
- Sauna kilt.
What to Wear in a Steam Room for Women?
The first thing to do when choosing a woman’s sauna dress is to decide if you want to visit a women-only sauna or a coed facility. You may wear pretty much anything comfortable for the latter. But if you’re going to a coed sauna, spa, or anyplace else where there’s a dress code, think about these options:
- A bikini or swimsuit composed of cotton or other natural materials.
- A skirt or a towel.
- A loose-fitting, airy dress or skirt.
- Thin blouse or T-shirt.
- Cotton gown or the scarf.
- Spa gown made of hybrid silk.
What Not to Wear in a Steam Room?
- Keep clear of synthetic fabrics: These materials, which retain moisture and heat and cause discomfort, include nylon and polyester. Go for natural textiles such as linen or cotton.
- Exercise Caution When Choosing Swimwear: Avoid wearing swimwear with metal components since they can heat up and burn easily.
- Remove All Makeup: Using makeup might cause breakouts by blocking pores and delaying detoxification all over your session.
- Avoid Strong Fragrances: Heat can boost aromas and irritate skin. Choose light-scented essential oils or none at all.
- No Jewelry: Metal items can get too hot, triggering burns, and swelling from heat may make the removal of rings or bracelets difficult. For safety reasons, do not bring your phone into the steam room.
How to Use the Gym’s Steam Room?

Here’s a quick guide on using the steam room at the gym:
- Drink water both before and after your steam session to stay hydrated and prevent dehydration. Avoid alcohol and eat small meals before to avoid stomach problems.
- Before using the steam room, take a shower and make sure you’re completely clean.
- Put on loose cotton garments or a towel to ensure the right clothes. Avoid metal or PVC shoes and clothes.
- Allocate a maximum of 15-20 minutes for your session, starting with 5-10 minutes. If you feel uneasy, go on.
- After steaming, cool down by rehydrating, taking a shower, hydrating, stretching, and unwinding.
Conclusion
Wearing the appropriate clothing in a steam room is essential for both safety and enjoyment. Select natural, breathable clothing and comfortable shoes. Keep jewelry and accessories simple and free of synthetic materials. Keep an eye on the time and stay hydrated. You may make sure your visit to the steam room is not only enjoyable but also healthy and good for your well-being by following these ideas.
Read also: Does Using a Sauna Help with Headaches?