10 benefits of facial steam and how to do it at home

Looking for a way to take care of your skin naturally and get spa-like results? Facial steaming is one of the best ways to keep your face fresh and smooth. Facial steaming is a simple method of at-home facials and a shorter time commitment than actually going to the spa. So is sauna good for facial skin? Read more below about 10 benefits of facial steaming and how to do it at home.

If you're missing out on your usual spa facials, self-care treatments are now a popular alternative. Facial steaming — a relaxation and detox method is a popular supplement for most people who are always busy with office work and is also very easy to do at home. However, like any other beauty method, facial steaming also has its own advantages and disadvantages. And the information below will give us an overview of this method.
1.1. What are the benefits of facial steaming? Apratim Goel, dermatologist and laser surgeon, Cutis Skin Solution, says: “Steaming and facial steaming for skin lightening has become extremely popular, the process leaving your skin clear. will, rosy and radiant, is synonymous with beautiful skin. Due to the heat, the blood vessels under the skin of the face will dilate, which improves blood flow in the body, increases the amount of oxygen to the skin, and makes the skin healthier. Improved blood circulation promotes collagen formation and provides anti-aging benefits to the skin. Dr. Rinky Kapoor, The Esthetic Clinics adds that facial steaming makes skin healthier and unclogs pores. She advises people with acne-prone or oily skin to do this regularly as it helps to unclog pores clogged with sebum and remove excess dirt as the pores open up. , easier to clean.

1.2. Who should not perform facial steaming? Steam is good for most skin types, however, people with extremely sensitive skin are advised to skip this method. “If you have rosacea or dry sensitive skin, facial steaming is not recommended.” Dr. Kapoor says that during steaming, blood vessels dilate and add to facial redness and worsen rosacea. She adds that people with inflamed skin, psoriasis, eczema, active stages of acne, rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis should not try facial steaming.

2.1. 10 Benefits of Facial Steam Cleanse your face. Steaming opens pores and helps remove dirt build-up for a deeper clean. Enlarged pores also soften blackheads, making them easier to remove. Promotes circulation under the skin. The combination of warm steam and increased sweating will dilate blood vessels and increase circulation. This blood flow boost nourishes the skin and delivers oxygen. The result is a naturally healthy glow. Release bacteria and cells that cause acne. Opening up the pores allows the release of dead skin cells, bacteria, and other impurities that clog pores and contribute to breakouts. Releases trapped sebum. This natural amount of sebum is produced by the body's sebaceous glands to lubricate the skin and hair. When sebum gets trapped beneath the surface of your skin, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and causes acne and blackheads. Skin moisturizing. Saunas hydrate the skin by helping to increase oil production, keeping the skin's natural moisture. Steam helps the skin to better absorb skin care products. Steam increases the permeability of the skin, helping the skin to better absorb topically applied substances. This means we will get more benefits from the skin care products applied after the sauna. Promotes collagen and elastin production. Blood flow is increased during facial steaming to promote collagen and elastin production. This leads to firmer and younger looking skin. Relax. Feeling the warm steam on your face is very relaxing. Add some soothing scents by using herbs or essential oils for aromatherapy for a soothing sensation! Facial steam helps relieve sinus congestion. Steam baths can help relieve sinus congestion and the headaches that often come with it. Adding certain essential oils to the steam can increase the effectiveness. Affordable and easily accessible. We don't have to spend a fortune on facials at a spa to enjoy the benefits; It can be done at home using readily available items.

2.2 Facial Steaming Techniques There are a number of ways we can enjoy this versatile skin treatment at home. This is a very inexpensive and easy method to do. Here are the steps to follow to perform this technique:
Sauna using a bowl or basin of hot water:
Grab a large cotton towel and choose a position where you feel most comfortable. Comfort is key, so if you're doing a steam bath over a sink, you'll need a chair or stool of the right height. Otherwise, using a bowl on the table is the most reasonable way. Hold hair tightly to prevent hair from sticking to face and clean using a gentle exfoliating cleanser. Don't forget to clean your neck before proceeding! Boil 4-6 cups of water in a kettle or pot, depending on the size of the sink or bowl. Add in a handful of herbs when the water starts to boil and stir well. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 2 or 3 minutes. Carefully pour into the sink or bowl. If you're using essential oils, it's time to add a few drops to the water. Prepare a seat, cover your head and basin with a towel, and keep your face about 10cm above the water. Raise or lower your head to reduce the heat and raise one corner of the towel to cool if needed. Steam your face for 5 to 10 minutes.

Steam with a warm towel
Grab a hand towel and turn on the hot water. While the water is still hot, fill the sink or bowl with enough water to absorb the towel. Add herbs if desired. Hold your hair tight to keep it from sticking to your face and clean your face and neck with a gentle exfoliating cleanser. Dip the towel in hot water and wring it out to reduce the moisture. Lean back in a chair or lie down. Place the towel over your face, lifting each corner up so that they meet in the center of your forehead. Adjust the scarf so that it covers the entire face, including the eyes, leaving only the nose. Relax for 5 minutes.

Steam with a facial steamer at home
Read the instructions for use in the manual for the home facial steamer and fill it up as directed. Place it on a table near an outlet for easy access to electricity. It will take a few minutes for the machine to start emitting steam. Hold your hair tight so it doesn't stick to your face and wash your face with a gentle exfoliating cleanser. Choose a comfortable seat and place your face inside the cone-shaped sauna, 10 to 15 centimeters away, as directed in your sauna manual. Steam for 2 or 3 minutes each time with a 1-minute break to see if your skin is too sensitive to the machine. It should be noted that facial steamers provide a stronger steam stream than other methods.
2.3 How to choose water source for facial steaming The options for water source for sauna are very diverse, depending on the preferences, conditions and suitability of each person. Some commonly used water sources for facial steaming include:
Tap water. Tap water is usable and free, so it's very convenient for people who don't have too much time to steam their face Distilled or spring water. We can also use distilled or spring water, although there is no evidence that distilled or spring water is actually better than tap water for sauna use. Tea. Beauty teas offer good health benefits from the inside out, like antioxidants. They are also believed to help the body effectively detox. Research has found that green tea and others containing polyphenols have protective and anti-aging benefits when applied topically. 2.4 How to Add Herbs and Oils to a Facial Steam Adding dried herbs and oils to the steam can provide many benefits. Certain herbs are said to be more beneficial with different skin types. Certain essential oils and herbs are known to have a calming or invigorating effect, depending on each person's needs. Herbs
Chamomile: Many studies show that the Roman chamomile flower can help fight skin inflammation, which is great for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin. Rosemary: Rosemary is a very fragrant herb and can be a good choice for those with oily skin.

Oils
Lavender. Lavender oil is great for dry skin or eczema and it has relaxing aromatherapy benefits. Geranium herb. This geranium extract oil is a natural astringent that helps firm and even skin tone. Eucalyptus. If you're dealing with acne or are congested, this is a great option. Orange. Along with aromatherapeutic properties, oranges can also help unclog pores and improve dull skin. 2.5. Facial Steaming Temperature, Time, and Frequency Steam burns are more harmful than boiling water burns, so special care should be taken when steaming your face.
To reduce the risk of burns, avoid getting your face too close to the steam. Increase the distance as needed so that the facial skin feels comfortable. The water should be warm, not hot if using the towel method.
Facial steam once a week for best results. Each sauna session is only about 10 minutes to avoid skin irritation.
Weekly facial steam is one of the great ways to relax and help us get a healthy facial skin. However, facial steaming is not a method that can be applied to everyone. For those who are using this method for the first time, the first thing is to consult a dermatologist to see if their skin is suitable for facial steaming. In addition, it is also necessary to pay attention to safety steps while doing it to avoid risks such as burns, skin irritation....
Please follow the website (www.vinmec.com) for more information. We will update our health care guidelines regularly.

Reference sources: vogue.in, healthline.com