Steam and Skin
Because wet saunas cause you to sweat, your pores open up, leading to a temporary cleansing of the skin. Likewise, the heat dilates your blood vessels, increasing blood flow by about 100 percent after 10 or 15 minutes. This lends your skin a healthful, “glowing” appearance. Sweating in the sauna does cause your body to release excess salt, but no evidence exists to support a release of toxins from your skin during this period.

Mind and Muscle
According to Columbia University's “Go Ask Alice!,” the key health benefits of the wet sauna lie in its relaxing qualities. The heat lowers your blood pressure and your pulse, creating a soothing feeling and helping to fight the effects of stress. Wet saunas also help reduce soreness and encourage recovery by relaxing the muscles. Similarly, the TriHealth hospital system reports that heat exposure may help ease the symptoms of arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Breathing Easy
Although dry saunas offer many of the same benefits as wet saunas -- including opening the pores and relaxing the muscles -- only wet saunas help out your sinuses. The moist heat thins mucous, frees up the sinus passages and opens the Eustachian tubes. If you've previously treated cold or clogged sinuses by breathing in steam, you'll likely experience similar success at the wet sauna. However, if you suffer from asthma, steer clear of a wet sauna, as an attack may be brought on by the wet sauna's moist air.