Sauna with long hair: hairstyles, protection and care
With long hair, the same question comes up every time in the sauna: where to put it? Loose, it sticks to your neck; wet, it drips onto the bench; and the hot, dry air doesn't exactly do the ends any favours either. With a few simple tricks it becomes much more comfortable – for you and for the guests next to you. Here you will find practical tips for before, during and after the round, suitable hairstyles for the cabin, ideas for protecting your hair and the equipment that has proven useful.
Contents11
- Sauna with long hair: before, during and after the round
- What the heat does to your hair
- The best hairstyles for the cabin
- Curls, fine or thick hair: small differences
- Protecting your hair: towel, hat or treatment
- During the break: turban and hood
- Consideration: hair on the bench and lounger
- After the last round
- The right equipment
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
Sauna with long hair: before, during and after the round
| Phase | Tip |
|---|---|
| Before the first round | Shower, squeeze hair out well, tie it up |
| In the cabin | Loose bun or braid, hair tie without metal, hair on your own towel |
| While cooling down | Keep hair tied up, cool your head last |
| During the break | Wrap in a small towel, hood up |
| After the last round | Wash, condition and dry thoroughly before heading home |
What the heat does to your hair
In a Finnish sauna the air is hot and dry, and it is warmest just below the ceiling – exactly where your head is. Long hair can dry out, especially the lengths and ends. Many people notice this sooner with coloured, bleached or naturally dry hair. That doesn't mean you have to give up the sauna. It's just worth protecting your hair a little from the direct heat and caring for it well afterwards.
Another point is comfort: loose hair traps heat on your neck, sticks to your skin and falls onto the bench. Tied up, it is much more comfortable in the cabin for most people.
The best hairstyles for the cabin
- Loose bun: tied high on the head, it keeps your neck free. Not too tight, so it doesn't pull on the scalp.
- Braid: keeps the lengths together and can be laid on the towel when you lie down.
- Low knot: practical if you wear a sauna hat, because the hat then sits better.
- Hair tie made of fabric or plastic: metal gets very hot in the heat. Take off clips, grips and metal hair accessories beforehand. More on this in the article Glasses, jewellery and contact lenses in the sauna.
Curls, fine or thick hair: small differences
Long hair isn't all the same. Depending on your hair type, different little things are worth doing:
- Curls: many people tie them loosely into a "pineapple" on top of the head so the curls don't get squashed. A thin cotton towel rubs less than a rough terry towel.
- Fine hair: a loose braid is often enough. A bun that is too tight can leave kinks in fine hair.
- Thick hair: it dries slowly and holds warmth for a long time. Allow more drying time after the last round and section your hair when blow-drying.
- Coloured or bleached hair: here protection with a towel or hat is especially worthwhile, plus a conditioner in the lengths after your sauna day.
In the steam room
In the steam room the heat is milder, but the air is very humid. Long hair quickly gets wet and heavy there. A braid and a small towel around your head help here too, and afterwards you simply wash it as usual.
Protecting your hair: towel, hat or treatment
A small towel around your head
Many people wrap their long hair in a thin cotton towel before going into the cabin. The Mini Diamant hammam towel (approx. 90 × 45 cm, approx. 120 g) is light enough for this and made of 100 % OEKO-TEX certified cotton. According to the product description, it is also intended as a hair or face towel.
A sauna hat
A felt hat shields your head from the heat below the ceiling. Whether you find it comfortable is best tried out for yourself. Everything about material and care is in the article Felt sauna hat.
Care for the lengths
Some people put a little conditioner or hair mask on the lengths before the round and then wrap a towel around it. Whether that is allowed in your sauna is set out in the house rules – what matters is that nothing drips onto the bench or lounger.
During the break: turban and hood
After cooling down your hair is often wet, and you don't want to get cold in the relaxation room. A towel turban keeps your hair together and absorbs moisture. How to wrap it quickly and securely is shown in the article Drying your hair with a hammam towel turban.
A hooded bathrobe goes well with it. The Trimita Elephant hooded bathrobe and the Zebra model are made of three-layer muslin and 100 % Turkish cotton. The hood keeps your head and neck warm during the break.
Consideration: hair on the bench and lounger
- No dripping: squeeze wet hair out well before every round so that no water runs onto the wood.
- Everything on your own towel: when you lie down, your long hair belongs on your towel too, not on the bench next to it.
- No brushing in the cabin: do your combing and brushing in the changing or shower area, not in the cabin or relaxation room.
- Keep the drain clear: remove hair from the drain after washing – the next guests will thank you.
After the last round
Many people only wash their hair after the last round, since it is wet anyway by then. A conditioner in the lengths feels good after the dry heat. Then dry your hair thoroughly, especially in winter before heading home – or take a hat. Flat-woven towels absorb less water than thick terry, but dry again faster. In our experience at the Meri Sauna, a hammam towel takes about 60 minutes to dry indoors.
The right equipment
- Small towel for your hair: Mini Diamant hammam towel in beige, blue, yellow, grey or mint
- Large towel for the bench: Ocean hammam towel at approx. 180 × 100 cm, so there is room for long hair too
- Hooded bathrobe: Trimita Elephant or Zebra, more models in our bathrobes collection
- Little extras: two hair ties without metal, a comb, perhaps a hat for the way home
Related reading: Make-up and the sauna: why you should remove it first · Top or bottom? Which sauna bench is right for you · Relaxation room etiquette: the unwritten rules of the sauna break
Conclusion
Going to the sauna with long hair is easier than it sounds: tie it up, no metal, a small towel for protection or as a turban and a hooded bathrobe for the break. After the last round, wash, condition and dry well – that keeps the bench, your neck and your hair relaxed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to wash my hair before the sauna?
You shower before the first round. Whether you wash your hair at the same time is up to you. Many people only wash it after the last round.
Should long hair be wet or dry in the sauna?
Above all, it shouldn't drip. Squeezed out well and tied up, it's fine either way.
Can I wear a sauna hat?
Yes, if the sauna allows it. Many people with long hair wear a felt hat or wrap a small towel around their head.
Why no metal hair clips?
Metal gets very hot in the heat and can be unpleasant on the skin. Hair ties made of fabric or plastic are the better choice.
May I use a hair treatment in the sauna?
Each sauna decides that itself. If it is allowed, wrap a towel around your hair so that nothing gets onto the bench or lounger.
How do I get long hair dry quickly after the sauna?
Squeeze it out well first, wrap it in a towel turban for a few minutes and then blow-dry it. That shortens the blow-drying time and your hair is dry before you head home.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.