Therefore it has remained uncorrupted for centuries. So a Finn who happens to visit a Central European mixed-sex sauna is likely to be embarrassed, although no indecency may be involved. Controlled mixed-sex bathing in other countries hardly damages the reputation of the genuine Finnish sauna. What really damages it are the various kinds of massage and entertainment parlours which operate in many countries under red lights and hide behind the name of sauna. Finns also tend to get irritated by all sorts of artificial sweat-producing devices which have nothing to do with the sauna but are marketed under the name.
Some people firmly believe that the primary purpose of the sauna was to warm up the body.
A bath would prevent colds, soften up tense muscles and alleviate any pain, exhaustion or depression. Gradually, though, the sauna's function as a place where the body was thoroughly cleaned by washing and flushing became important. Cooling off nowadays often includes swimming. Many people like to cool off in the open air, and there are also brave ones who want to roll in the snow or take a dip in the sea or lake through a hole in the ice. A sauna bath without a birch whisk is like food without salt as the saying goes.