What Is Facial Steaming?
In aesthetics, we use a device called a facial steamer to give the client a more relaxing experience and help with the care of said client’s skin. A facial steamer is a machine that squirts out water steam over the face to cleanse your skin and pores.
The Benefits of Using Facial steam
The benefits of using facial steam in your skincare routine are that it can infuse your skin with moisture, enhances and accelerates your skincare regimen. It also reads your face for exfoliation, extractions, and ingredients that will absorb much faster and deeper into the skin. The facial steam also promotes blood circulation.
Benefit #1: Steam plays a significant role in cleansing the skin
Incorporating water steam into your skincare routine can help keep your pores open to prevent blockage and build-up of dirt.
Benefit#2: Remove blackheads
Blackheads are an open comedo that is caused by clogged hair follicles (pores) in the skin. Utilizing steam can help soften blackheads that, in turn, can make them easier to remove.
Benefit #3: Release acne-causing bacteria and cells
Facial steam releases dead skin cells, bacteria, and other impurities that can clog the pores and contribute to acne.
Benefit #4: Increase Perspiration
Steam can cause sweat to flow; it lifts the dirt, dead skin cells, and other debris trapped in the skin when this happens. It then brings the impurities to the surface to be cleansed away.
Benefit #5: Circulation
Another benefit of using a facial steamer is the increase in circulation. Circulation will increase by the dilation of the blood vessels to boost the flow of your blood under your skin, bringing more oxygen. When this happens, it nourishes your skin, giving it a much more natural, healthier glow.
Benefit #6: Better absorption of products
When steam is used during your skin’s care, your skin’s permeability is enhanced, enabling better absorption of your favourite skin products and saving you money.
Benefit #7: Shed dead skin
Every day our skin cells have a turnover rate. Our skin gets rid of old skin cells and replaces them. But sometimes, our skin needs an extra boost in helping to get rid of the dead cells; this is where a facial steamer and an exfoliating product comes in. Without it, the build-up of dead skin cells makes your skin look old and tired. Steaming allows your skin to harness its natural anti-aging properties by shedding dead skin.
Benefit #8: Prevent Acne
One of the peskiest skin conditions we all dread is seeing acne/pimples on our faces. With steam helping to open the pores and thus cleaning out the nasty dirt and oil buildup, you will see fewer pimples or acne on your complexion.
Benefit #9: Hydration and Soothing
The best benefit, in my opinion, about using steam is the hydration it provides to your skin. This is very beneficial to us dry skin individuals like myself. Steam increases the natural oil (sebum) production in your skin, giving it the much-needed moisture it craves. Also, just having steam helps calm and relax you. Adding essential oils like aromatherapy can add extra benefits to calm your aurora.
Benefit#10: Promotes collagen and elastin
Just as I discussed earlier, circulation( increase blood flow) the added blood flow also upregulates the making of collagen and elastin in your skin. Both collagen and elastin are key in what keeps your skin looking firmer and younger-looking.
Benefit #11: Kills bacteria
Last but not least, steam can kill viruses and bacteria on the surface of your skin. That, along with a cleanser, keeps the skin clean and impurities from being clogged, causing acne. It also aids in unblocking the nasal passage for nasal congestion and relieves sinus congestion and headaches.
In conclusion, the best thing about facial steaming is that it is completely affordable. There is no need to pay a fee at a spa every week to get the benefits of a facial sauna. There are three ways you can incorporate steaming into your beauty routine; a facial machine, boiling water and using hot towels. Here’s how
Method #1: Use Personal Facial Machine
You can simply purchase an affordable facial steamer machine from your favorite retail store. I bought my Nano Facial Steamer Warm Mist off amazon for less than $30. Having one of these on hand will save you money and make it way easier to include in your weekly skin routine. Simply just read the instructions in your chosen machine manual to add water and turn it on. Note it is preferred to use purified water in facial machines instead of tap water due to tap water usually having hard minerals that can disrupt the facial machine.
Method #2: Boiling Pot of Water
This method utilizes boiling water to steam your face. This one is the most affordable way because you most likely already have running water and a pot ready to use.
This is what you do for this choice of method.
- Get 4 to 6 cups of water to boil in a kettle or pot, whichever depending on the size of the bowl you plan on putting the water in.
- This is optional, but if you want to use herbs, once the water starts to boil, add the herbs of choice and stir.
- Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 2 or 3 minutes. Then pour the water into a bowl. At this time, if you are using essential oils, this step is when to add them.
- Have a seat and drape a towel over your head and pot. Hold face 6 inches above the bowl of water. Raise and lower your head for more or less heat.
- Steam face for 5 to 10 minutes
Method #3: Hot Towels
In this last method, you will simply take one of your hand towels and submerge it in hot or boiling water to steam your face. This method is similar to method two, but instead of draping the towel over your head, you place it over your face; here’s how.
- Get a hand towel and either use tap water to wet the towel or boiling water to put in a bowl.
- Then cleanse your face and neck with your choice of exfoliating cleanser.
- Soak the towel in hot water, or if using boiling water, put water in the bowl and put the towel in. Then wring the towel out until damp.
- Lean back in a chair or lie down and place the towel on your face. Hold each corner up, so they meet in the center of your forehead.
- Finally, adjust the towel to where it covers your entire face, except your nose. Sit back and relax for about 5 minutes.
