How to steam your face properly?

Many women probably notice that after taking a bath or visiting a bath, the skin of the face becomes smooth, its color improves, and blackheads become less. These positive changes are happening not only because you have washed your face well, but also under the influence of steam.

The effect of hot humid air on any type of skin is very great. It helps to soften it, increase its elasticity. The effect of steam is beneficial for the vascular system of the face, as the processes of sweating and blood circulation are enhanced. After a steam bath, seals on the skin of the face often dissolve, and inflammatory reactions stop. However, the most important thing is that steam forces the pores to open, which facilitates the removal of fat plugs, keratinized cells, makeup residues and other contaminants that involuntarily accumulate in the pores of residents of megacities and areas with an unfavorable ecological situation.

Often this is practically the only way to heal problem skin, when many cosmetic creams, lotions and gels are powerless. The frequency and duration of steaming depends on the type of skin and its condition. For oily skin prone to acne and inflammation, the procedure lasts 8-10 minutes and can be done every 2 weeks. In exceptional cases, the exposure time can be increased to 12-15 minutes. The main indication for this is very oily and rough skin, which has a lot of dirty pores and seals.

If the skin is normal or combination and there are no pronounced contaminants on it, the steaming time is reduced to 5-6 minutes, and the procedure is sufficient to carry out once every 3-4 weeks. With dry skin, the exposure time is even shorter, and the frequency is even less frequent. Dry skin is rarely prone to comedogenic formation, so one steaming is sufficient once every 3-4 months. And if dirt is still present on dry skin, the procedure can be carried out a little more often - once every 2-3 months, and in the cold season, steam baths are undesirable.

In cosmetology, a steam bath is a basic procedure. After steaming, creams and masks are much more effective. In addition, it is necessary to steam the face before many cosmetology sessions. Before massage, peeling, use of scrubs and gommages, steaming is very desirable. It is especially necessary before cleansing the face. Steamed skin more easily gives up the contents of pores and blackheads; after cleansing, there is less visible redness and swelling on it.

While steaming is beneficial in many ways for skin, especially problem skin, keep in mind that getting rid of acne is a very time-consuming process. Therefore, you should not expect instant results from one procedure. Nevertheless, even with plentiful acne, you should not abuse it. A useful step is a consultation with a cosmetologist and a set of measures. With all the beneficial properties of the procedure, in some cases it should be treated with caution, given the state of the body.

Precautions can be as follows:

• do not exceed the recommended duration and frequency of steam baths, as this will lead to excessive loss of sebum, dilation of closely located blood vessels, and adverse effects on muscle tone;
• you should not use too hot steam, as it can lead to burns of the skin;
• it is advisable to protect very dry skin with a cream before the procedure;
• in the cold season, you should not immediately leave the room, you can go out into the open air no earlier than after 30-40 minutes after the procedure, since when steaming the pores opened wide, the skin lost its natural lubrication for a while, so the frosty air is harmful to blood vessels ;
• postpone the procedure if pronounced inflammation appears;
• it is often advised to add medicinal herbs and other products to steam baths, as long as you do not have an allergic reaction to them.

Like any cosmetic procedure, steaming may have contraindications:

• if pustular rashes are present, steaming is fraught with the transfer of infection to even larger surfaces;
• the presence of peeling should stop you, since steaming has a drying effect;
• a contraindication is sluggish skin with a large number of wide open pores, rosacea;
• you need to refrain from the procedure for serious diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• no need to steam the face if there are wounds, cuts, or other injuries;
• a serious reason to refuse the procedure will be the vascular mesh on the nose and cheeks, herpes, dermatitis, the stage of acne inflammation.

Choose a free day for steaming (it will take a lot of time), especially if you plan to clean your face later. To carry out steaming, you need to prepare for it. The preparation of the necessary items depends on the chosen method. Special devices are used in beauty parlors. Today they can be purchased at specialized stores or pharmacies. They greatly facilitate the process, since the water in them is heated to the desired temperature.They are often equipped with timers and regulators that deliver steam. Using the appliance will prevent you from accidentally spilling hot water on yourself.

The missing device can be easily replaced by a wide metal or porcelain container. Any bowl, salad bowl, or small bowl will do. Heat water and add medicinal herbs to it for brewing. You will also need a large terrycloth towel. For those who do not want to fiddle with basins, there is an easier way - you can put a small towel soaked in hot water on your face. For the same purpose, you can purchase a mask at the pharmacy. For pharmaceutical masks, natural materials are used; they are usually impregnated with extracts from medicinal plants. The mask is moistened with water and applied to the face. As a rule, manufacturers indicate how much to keep on the face. If there is no indication, 15 minutes will be sufficient.

Many brands produce special steaming agents. They come in the form of creams, gels, emulsions. From contact with water, they begin to generate heat. These products are more gentle and therefore less effective than real steaming. But on the other hand, they are perfect for those women for whom the use of hot steam is contraindicated. You should carefully read the instructions for use - it may indicate possible contraindications.

Now you need to prepare your face for the procedure. First of all, it must be cleaned of makeup using cosmetics. Then you need to wash yourself with warm water using antibacterial agents. You can use any brand of gels or foams that are suitable for your skin type. You can also use special soaps with different additives, which are produced in a wide variety, for example, tar or sulfur. Such a remedy will effectively cleanse the skin without tightening it, will have an anti-inflammatory and soothing effect.

The next step, especially for oily skin, is to apply a scrub or exfoliation. They need to be applied to the still damp skin and rubbed in easily, making circles along the massage lines. These lines are directed outward from the center of the face. It is advisable to protect the delicate skin of the eyelids and lips with a rich nourishing cream. In the case of dry skin, this must be done. Very dry delicate skin can also be covered with a thin layer of cream, only it must be applied to a thoroughly cleansed face. If you have a small amount of visible red blood vessels on your face, also lubricate them with cream.

If you have never done steaming, then for the first time it is better to contact the beauty parlor, where you will learn how to carry out the procedure correctly and receive recommendations corresponding to the condition and type of your skin from an experienced specialist. Subsequently, you will be able to do the steaming at home yourself. There are situations when there is a holiday event and you want to cleanse and refresh your face. To do this quickly at home, pharmacy masks and special gels will help you.

Of course, very deep steaming will not occur, but the composition of gels often includes substances that have an anti-inflammatory, soothing effect, they are enriched with vitamins and plant extracts. Steaming gels do more than cleanse the skin. They help to increase its tone and create a protective barrier. Gels from good manufacturers have a long lasting effect. In case of an allergic reaction, the use of the product must be discontinued. Also, simply and quickly, you will carry out the procedure using a towel moistened with hot water and wrung out. When it cools down, it is moistened again with hot water. This must be done several times.

To carry out the procedure using steam, pour hot water into a prepared container. Lean over it - the steam should not burn, the face should be steamed at a comfortable temperature. The optimal indicator is +60 C. If it gets very hot, lift the edge of the towel. After removing hair from your face and covering your head and shoulders with a towel over the container, stay in this position for the right time.

When finished steaming, scrub the skin. It will help remove any remaining comedones and other impurities from your pores. If your skin is tender and sensitive, skip this step.

Now rinse your face with cool water. Although this is necessary in order to tighten enlarged and cleansed pores, do not use too cold water. Blot your face with a clean towel and wipe with a disinfectant according to your skin type. For dry, lotions and tonics are suitable, for oily problematic you can use alcohol-containing agents, for example, salicylic acid, calendula tincture, chloramphenicol solution. They have an anti-acne effect and an astringent effect.

Your skin is now ready to apply nourishing creams and masks. Use ready-made cosmetics packed in tubes. Masks using egg white, lemon juice, cucumber and other products are often advised. They are really very useful, but not now, when the pores are still open and vulnerable to infection.

To make steaming even more beneficial, leaves, flowers or herbal roots are added to it. You can take one plant, it would be a good solution to prepare a collection from them. It is taken at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. for the procedure. In order for the herbs to show themselves better, they are immersed in water until heated and brought to a boil. By the time the water cools down to the desired temperature, the steam will be saturated with useful substances.

Herbs act on the skin in different ways:

• for all skin types, you can add chamomile and calendula, which have a bactericidal and soothing effect;
• nettle will be useful for toning the skin and stimulating the processes of cell metabolism;
• parsley and dandelion will help whiten freckles and age spots;
• for tired, lost skin tone, add rosemary, dill, linden flowers;
• for dry skin, lavender and lemon balm, leaves of coltsfoot are suitable;
• sage, lime blossom, chestnut fruits, peppermint will have a wonderful effect on oily skin;
• to get rid of acne more efficiently, it is advisable to use yarrow or succession, aloe or St. John's wort, oak bark.

Soda is often used on its own or with various additives as scrubs. If there are acne on the back and chest, it is recommended to take a soda bath. On the Internet, you will find dozens of recipes with this ingredient in its composition. For a steam bath, 1-2 teaspoons will suffice. product. You can also make a slurry of baking soda with water and apply it after the procedure. The skin will become soft, supple and delightful with clean pores.

Essential oils can also be added to the bath. They not only have a good effect on the skin, toning up and activating the processes in it, but also have an excellent effect on the psychoemotional state of a person. Today, there is a large selection of oils on sale, and their effect is indicated on the packaging. You can easily find the right one for you. A few drops of oil are enough for a steam bath. It must be added immediately before use.

A steam bath is a wonderful skin treatment and can help in emergencies.However, it must be remembered that facial care is not a single rare event, but a whole range of measures. Facial care should be done every day. Only then will you achieve a lasting positive result.

Don't forget to apply a night cream to restore the epidermis, and during the day, protect your face from harmful environmental influences and ultraviolet radiation with a day cream.

The right product from an inexpensive brand will be much more effective than an expensive and prestigious brand that does not match your skin type. When caring for your face, do not forget about the delicate skin of the eyelids - they need a special remedy, because ordinary eye creams will be too heavy. If, for any reason, it is difficult for you to decide on the methods of care, seek the advice of a cosmetologist.

For information on how to properly make a steam bath for your face at home and clean your pores, see the next video.