The important thing about taking a sauna is the state achieved after bathing a clean, relaxed and pleasant sensation. You don't need to sit in the heat very long for this.
A great deal has been written about sauna and sauna bathing. However, there are certain things on which most people would agree. You can make sure your sauna is a success by following the recommendations below:
You may shower before you enter the sauna.
A shower prepares you for the heat. It's relaxing and of course it's better to enter the sauna clean. Stay in only as long as you enjoy it.
The humidity drops to a low level in modern, electrically heated saunas. And dry heat is easier to take than humid. But there are drawbacks. When the sauna temperature is too high, water thrown on the stones causes an exaggerated sensation of heat as the humidity rises. The temperature in modern, electrically heated saunas should be 70-90 C (170-190F). Then the sauna is not too hot, and the humidity is right.
before adding water to the stones, relax and let your body adjust to the dry heat for a few minutes.
When you emerge from the heat take a quick shower and a brief rest. Wrap yourself up in a big sauna towel, sit back, relax and enjoy a refreshing drink. Many consider beer the only real sauna drink, though anything cold and refreshing serves the purpose.
Washing is part of the Finnish sauna ritual. Finnish sauna-goers usually wash thoroughly after the first round of heat and rest. The Finn often uses a rather coarse brush with which he rubs down his soaped skin. This promotes surface blood circulation.
Followed by more heat.
Go back to the heat after a good scrub and shower. Take the most comfortable position possible and let the heat limber up your muscles. Haste has no place in the sauna. Stay in the heat as long as you like, then take another shower. This time a rather cold one, to refresh you. To finish up: relax and cool off.
Don't dress as soon as you leave the sauna. Instead, let your skin cool off at its own pace after a quick once-over with a coarse sauna towel. If you're not alone use this time for a chat and a drink. Enjoy that after-sauna sensation. The wash and the heat have done the preliminary work. Don't spoil it now by rushing things. When your skin temperature has finally returned to normal, put on clean clothes at your leisure. You'll feel like a new person.