How to properly steam your face at home. How to properly steam your face for cleansing

One of the main secrets of the excellent skin condition of many stars is a regular facial steaming procedure. It helps get rid of pimples, blackheads and dead cells. The procedure can be carried out in different ways and in different places. For this purpose, you can use special devices, or you can use a basin of water. In addition, steaming gels and masks are now on sale. But first things first.

The essence of the steaming procedure

During steaming, the pores open, the skin softens, and it becomes much easier to remove remnants of makeup, dirt, and dead cells; in addition, toxins are eliminated. After the procedure, it is much easier to remove pimples and blackheads.

The process itself can be carried out using special devices, usually used in beauty salons, but you can also find a home version in stores. The economy class solution is steaming with water and herbs. There are also steaming gels and masks that heat up when in contact with water. By the way, they give very good results. However, today I offer you some tips on how to properly carry out the steaming procedure at home so that your skin becomes healthy and beautiful. You will notice changes after just a few procedures.

Preparing the skin

Before you start steaming your skin, you need to thoroughly prepare it.

Wash your hands first.
Use warm or cool water to wash your face.
Before the procedure, the skin must be exfoliated. Steaming should be done no more than once a week, as should exfoliation. The fact is that frequent exfoliation disrupts the pH balance of the skin and makes it drier, and frequent steaming disrupts the natural protective functions of the skin, which can lead to the growth of pimples and.
After the procedure, rinse your face with water and wipe with lotion.

Steaming the skin

Method 1. For the procedure you will need: a cup, a towel, hot water, herbs or essential oils, facial lotion.

So, first of all, pour hot water into a cup and add dry or fresh herbs and essential oils. Let the main heat go down. To do this, you need to wait 2 minutes. Then we bend over the cup and cover ourselves with a towel. And we sit like that for several minutes. You will immediately feel that your skin has become softer and more hydrated.

Sit like this for a few minutes until the steam stops coming out. Then quickly wipe your face with lotion to remove what comes out. Then you can apply a mask. By the way, after steaming, the effectiveness of the mask increases significantly.

If you have, then add rose, rosemary or lavender. It doesn't matter in what form.

If you have skin, then lemon, peppermint and thyme will suit you.

Rosemary, chamomile, lime, rose and geranium are suitable for this.

Steaming is good because it is suitable for all face types and is a good auxiliary.

Method 2. Take a napkin, preferably cotton. Place it in hot water. Wring it out and place it on your face, making sure the cloth is not too hot. Let cool and repeat this 3-4 times. You can also add a decoction of herbs or essential oils to the water.

Steaming masks

For those who don’t want to sit over a bowl for 10 minutes, steaming masks are quite suitable. On the shelves you can find something for every taste and budget. Moreover, the effect they produce is amazing. Great for taking with you on vacation. After all, such a mask will tidy up your facial skin in just 3 minutes.

In their composition you can find zinc, cucumber extract, strawberries, and cream. In general, every woman can choose what she likes.

Warning! Steaming is, of course, a good thing, however, it cannot always be done. If there is any inflammation or abscess on the face, it is better to refuse the procedure, as the situation may worsen. If after steaming you experience irritation, then consult a dermatologist or refuse this procedure and try steaming masks, or, conversely, steaming with herbs and essential oils.

Remember that the beauty of our skin depends only on how properly we take care of it.

There are many procedures that help bring your skin condition closer to ideal. The most accessible and widespread method of cleansing it is steaming. It is not neglected by elite beauty salons, where the latest developments in the field of cosmetology are used, but you can easily steam your face at home, using what is always at hand - for example, hot water.

Characteristics of the procedure

The essence of steaming is that hot and humid air, acting on the skin, increases its elasticity, makes it softer, increases blood circulation, and causes the pores to open. This makes it possible to remove dead cells, makeup particles, and fat plugs that were previously inaccessible. The procedure perfectly prepares the face for cleansing, that is, for the removal of acne, blackheads, and wen, and the effectiveness of masks and creams applied after it increases several times.

Steaming different types of skin has certain nuances:

The skin must first be prepared:

You need to remove your makeup and wash your face using a cleanser. If your skin is oily and prone to dermatoses, you can use a scrub. It is important that the skin is clean before the procedure, because if dirt gets into open pores, inflammation may begin.
Apply a rich cream to the skin of the eyelids and around the mouth for protection.
Hair is tucked under a special cap or bandage so that it does not fall on the face.

Further actions will depend on one or another steaming method.

Ways to steam your facial skin

Use of special means

Manufacturers of cosmetics offer ready-made masks that have a steaming effect. The components of the product, when interacting with water, emit heat, under the influence of which the pores expand and are cleaned of excess fat and impurities. This product cannot completely rid the skin of comedones (blackheads), but it dries and tones the skin well. The advantage of these masks is that they can be used even by those for whom intense heat exposure is contraindicated (people suffering from hypertension, bronchial asthma).

The cold hydrogenation method is gaining increasing popularity today. Products for this procedure are indispensable when traveling, as well as in cases where the skin is contraindicated from exposure to moist heat. Their action is based on the ability of the liquid from the gel components to penetrate the surface cells of the skin, causing them to swell and reject dead particles. The undoubted advantage of using such products is that the time required for the gel to act is limited to 5 minutes.

Products for cold hydrogenation are sold in the form of gels

Online stores sell reusable steaming cloths. It is made of a material resembling microfiber. To carry out the procedure, just moisten it well, place it in the microwave for 20 seconds, and then apply it to your face for 5 minutes.

Carrying out the procedure at home

There are three main methods for steaming the skin at home - using steam (steam baths), using an application and using a steaming mask.

Steam steaming

For this procedure you will need water (a liter will be enough), a small wide container and a large towel that can cover your head and a bowl of water.

After steaming, you can begin cleansing your face. If it was not planned, then apply a moisturizer to dry skin, and after it is absorbed, rinse it with warm water. Oily and combination skin can be treated with a scrub, but this must be done very carefully. It's better to just wash your face with cool water and apply toner. If there is none, then lemon juice diluted with water in a ratio of 1:5, or apple cider vinegar (take a teaspoon of the product per glass of water) is quite suitable.

After steaming, you need to avoid exposure to sudden temperature changes. You should not use too cold water for washing or go outside (this is why it is recommended to do the procedure in the evening). If you still need to leave the house, it is better to calculate the time so that at least two hours pass after steaming.

In order for steaming to also have a healing effect, decoctions of medicinal herbs can be added to the water. When choosing a component, you need to consider which one is suitable for a particular skin type.

Decoctions for steaming are usually prepared in advance. Plant raw materials are taken at the rate of a tablespoon per glass of water (for sensitive skin, the volume of the herb is halved), brought to a boil, infused for 30 minutes, filtered and heated again for the procedure. Herbs can be used individually or made into a collection by mixing several that suit your skin type in equal parts.

Table: Herbs for different skin types

Photo gallery: Plants suitable for preparing steaming decoctions

Nettle tones the skin and stimulates metabolic processes Coltsfoot decoction helps relieve inflammation Calendula is great for acne Chamomile can be used for all skin types Elderberry decoction is good at relieving irritation on sensitive skin

The use of essential oils also gives the steaming procedure a lot of beneficial properties.. These substances activate metabolic processes and have a positive effect on the psychological and emotional state. However, if you plan to use an oil that is being used for the first time, its dosage for the first procedure should be reduced to two drops. It is also better to reduce the duration of steaming. This is done in order to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.

Table: Essential oils for steaming different skin types

Applications

Another very common method of steaming the face is applications. To carry out this procedure, you will need a container of hot water (you can also replace it with a decoction of medicinal herbs or add a few drops of essential oil) and a large cotton napkin:

We wet the fabric, wring it out and apply it to the face, pressing it tightly to the surface of the skin.
After it has cooled a little, remove it and repeat the steps described above 3-4 more times.
After completing steaming with lotion, wipe the skin and proceed to further procedures.

When steaming with a cloth, you need to be careful: if the water is too hot, you can get burned.

Masks with steaming effect

A steaming mask can be made using honey or oatmeal

If you do not trust products produced in industrial conditions, you can prepare a steaming mask yourself (the frequency of using such products depends on the type of skin: for oily and combination skin they can be done once a week, for dry ones - once every 10 days). Here are some simple recipes:

Mix the yolk, honey and olive oil in equal parts until smooth. The composition in a water bath should be brought to a temperature where it becomes noticeably warm, but not scalding, and applied to a cleansed face for 10 minutes. You can check the temperature of the mask by applying it to the back of your wrist. After the required time has passed, rinse off the composition with warm water.
A mask based on semolina will help not only steam, but also lighten the skin. To do this, you need to cook thick milk porridge (do not add salt, sugar and butter), and after it has cooled to a comfortable temperature, apply it to your face for 15 minutes. The composition is suitable for very sensitive skin or in cases where the vessels on the face are dilated or located close to the surface.
Another option is an oatmeal mask. From them, boil a thick porridge in water and add table soda (take a teaspoon of soda for 3 full tablespoons). The warm mixture is applied to the face for 15 minutes and secured with polyethylene. At the end, the skin is lightly massaged and only then the mask is washed off with warm water. This procedure is suitable for oily skin types.

Video: How to properly clean your home

Contraindications and precautions

The question often arises about how often you should steam your face. The permissible periods have already been mentioned above, but if there is no urgent need, it is better to reduce the frequency of the procedure to once every 10 days for normal and oily skin, once every three weeks for dry skin. The drier and older the skin, the worse it reacts to such aggressive influences and the higher the risk of irritation.

Steaming has its own contraindications. These include:

hypertonic disease;
vascular and heart diseases;
bronchial asthma;
skin diseases in the acute period;
rosacea (spider veins).

Steaming masks should not be used in parallel with other thermal effects, as this can cause tissue overheating and even burns. Although such compositions are not contraindicated for people with high blood pressure and poor circulation, they should be used with caution, carefully listening to your feelings during the procedure.

Before you start using a new component, you need to test for allergies by applying a small amount to the elbow and waiting two hours.

If no reaction occurs during this time, the composition with the ingredient can be safely used.

Skin health is one of the most important criteria for beauty. To preserve and maintain it, you need to constantly take care of your face. Steaming is the basis of many cosmetic procedures, and their effectiveness and final result depend on how correctly it is done.

For those who care about the ideal condition of their skin, it is important to know how to properly steam your face to cleanse blackheads at home, using proven techniques.

To understand why it is so important to steam your face before cleansing and correctly determine the best way to do this at home, let’s determine what processes are launched in the epidermis as a result of steaming:

stimulation of the skin's production of collagen, which is responsible for elasticity;
if antibacterial solutions are used with other agents, inflammatory processes go away;
Sebaceous deposits and dirt are removed efficiently and effortlessly;
Efficiency increases with subsequent use of scrubs; softened, keratinized scales come off much easier and more painlessly for the dermis;
remove comedones faster and easier;
The most important thing is that the procedure helps open the pores, which allows the beneficial substances applied to the face after steaming to penetrate deeply into the skin layers and moisturize and nourish the skin as effectively as possible.

Sometimes steaming is enough to get rid of blackheads and pimples. They pop out of the softened skin with slight pressure. Even pure steam has a disinfecting effect.

Did you know that steaming is most beneficial for mature skin? The hot steam treatment process stimulates collagen production, saturates the dermis with oxygen and has a positive effect on blood circulation. All this, in turn, slows down the aging process, the skin becomes firm and elastic.

You need to know not only how to steam your face before cleansing, but also how to properly carry out the steaming itself. The process requires preliminary preparation. Before the procedure you need to do the following:

Use cleansers and wash to remove decorative cosmetics from your face. For oily skin, scrub can be used. If this is not done, dirt can penetrate into the lower layers of the epidermis and cause inflammation.
Gather your hair into a bun. It is better to tie them with a scarf or hide them under a special cap so that the hairs do not stick to the forehead during the manipulation.
Lubricate delicate areas of the skin (eyelids and lips), which can be damaged by hot steam, with a rich cream.

In order to properly steam your face to remove all types of impurities from open pores, you should pay special attention to preliminary preparation. All of the above is done with thoroughly washed hands.

There are other features of skin steaming. For example, it is better to choose glass containers with a thick bottom for the procedure. They will make the process better and not burn your hands.

There are several popular ways to effectively steam your face at home in order to prepare for further cleansing:

traditional steam baths;
special cosmetic products and masks;
manipulations using a home mini sauna or inhaler;
warm napkins.

All of the listed methods of steaming the skin have the same contraindications and give similar results, so you need to choose based on your own preferences. When choosing a composition, take into account the possibility of allergic reactions to some ingredients, as well as the fact that in some cases manipulation is contraindicated.

Any steaming method requires compliance with safety measures:

the liquid used should not be very hot;
After the procedure, you should stay at home for several hours;
It is necessary to first protect delicate areas of the skin with creams.

It would be a good idea to consult a cosmetologist who can give advice based on your individual characteristics.

Traditional steaming

Classic manipulation involves the use of clean water enriched with decoctions of various herbs. The procedure looks like this:

Boil clean water in a kettle or other container.
Take a saucepan, preferably with a thick bottom, and pour dry grass into it. Since ancient times, women have used chamomile for this purpose.
Wait for the boiling liquid to cool to 50-60 degrees, and then pour it into the contents of the saucepan.
Wait a few minutes for the herb to brew, lean over the container and cover your head with a towel so as to direct the steam onto your face.
Stay in this position for 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove the towel and blot your face with a soft cloth or paper napkin.

Important: when preparing your skin for further treatment against acne and blackheads, try not to expose your face to hot jets to avoid getting burned.

If you breathe deeply during the procedure, this will allow the lungs to open and get rid of mucus, which will make breathing more free.

The manipulation should be carried out once every 21 days. For thick, oily dermis – once every 2 weeks.

Instead of chamomile, you can use other medicinal plants:

rose petals;
Linden blossom;
mint;
parsley;
lemon;
St. John's wort;
dandelion;
calendula, etc.

You can also use special herbal medicines.

A potato decoction with the addition of a small amount of starch and baking soda, as well as a few drops of tea tree ether, gives a good result.

Mini sauna or inhaler

In pharmacies and cosmetic departments of stores you can purchase a special inhaler or mini sauna, which will make steaming before cleansing the dermis more effective.

The device operates on the principle of an electric kettle. The main element of the electronic device is the heater located on the working part.

The process consists of several stages:

Pour water with oils or herbal decoctions into the container.
Turn on the device.
When steam comes out of the device, place your face under it.

Choose saunas with a timer and the ability to set different modes. This will allow you to use the inhaler for both cosmetic and medical procedures.

Masks with steaming effect

Modern cosmetology can give several clear answers to the question of how to steam your face without steam. This:

creams,
gels,
masks and other means.

The easiest way is to buy a ready-made cosmetic mask that has a steaming effect. This option will be especially useful for those who have contraindications to heat exposure.

A steaming mask for steaming the face before upcoming cleansing consists of scraps of natural fabrics soaked in extracts of medicinal plants. They are used as follows:

Place the mask in water until it gets wet.
Lightly wring out the fabric.
Distribute over face for 15 minutes.

Before starting the procedure, read the instructions carefully. The use of some types of masks has its own peculiarities.

Video steam bath for face

The presented video shows how quickly you can steam your face to remove blackheads, as well as peeling and other cosmetic procedures.

Steaming your face at home cannot be done if:

diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
lung diseases;
rosacea;
inflammatory processes on the skin caused by viruses or infections;
the presence of immature, inflamed pimples under the skin.

Before steaming your face, make sure that you do not have the listed contraindications to manipulation.

To summarize, we can conclude that steaming is a procedure that will be useful for people of all ages. Even those with problematic skin can find a safe method for softening the skin and preparing for cleansing. In addition to the skin, steaming has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system and other body systems, soothing and relaxing.

Facial cleansing is a popular procedure that helps you have beautiful, smooth skin at any age. But before you start cleaning, the dermis (the top layer of skin) needs to be steamed. Why is this done and how to properly carry out this procedure at home?

Why do you need steaming?

Rashes, inflamed areas, gray color, and comedones indicate the need to seriously take care of your face. The problem can appear at any age, although most often young girls and young women resort to cleaning. At their age, skin secretions are actively secreted, the pores become clogged, and they need to be cleaned often. Otherwise, alas: blackheads, endless pimples, acne.

But women over 30 also need to carry out deep cleansing of the dermis from time to time. In any case, the skin suffers from street dirt and cosmetics. Add the factor of chronic stress and poor ecology - and now all the years you have lived, and sometimes five to ten extra, are visible on your face.

What does steaming have to do with it? The relationship is the most direct. To remove sebaceous plugs that clog pores, they need to be softened. This can be done using heat treatment, that is, heating. In addition, the pores will expand, which means they will be able not only to easily release what they have accumulated, but also to absorb active nutritional components during subsequent manipulations. That's why it's important to know how to steam your face for cleansing.

Steaming is used in the following cases:

Before deep cleaning, which involves scrubbing;

Before acid peeling;

Before applying a mask with a nourishing or medicinal composition;

To remove the purulent contents of pores, pimples and blackheads;

In case of individual intolerance to cleansing cosmetics (masks, peelings, scrubs, etc.).

Steaming, which has become a regular procedure for deep cleansing the skin, will allow you to forget about acne, unsightly enlarged pores, and comedones. Knowing how to steam your face before cleansing, any girl will avoid injury to the skin and prevent skin infection with purulent secretions.

It is also recommended to steam the skin before depilation or shaving. The blade, scraper and epilator handle glide more easily over steamed and then well-scrubbed skin. There will be no pain from the procedure, and the likelihood of ingrown hairs is minimal.

How to prepare your skin for steaming

If there are no contraindications to thermal heating of the skin, you can begin steaming. But it is better to prepare for this procedure in advance. Much depends on the type of dermis. It is important not only to understand how to steam your face for cleansing, but also why dry or oily skin requires different preparation methods.

If the skin is dry or very dry, then before the procedure it must be softened by applying a cream or fluid. It is important that this skin type does not need steaming as often as oily or combination skin. The pores on a dry face are small and clog slowly, so three or even two times a month will be enough. In addition, you need to steam dry skin for no longer than five minutes.

Combination and normal skin just needs to be moisturized before steaming. First, rinse your face with water, pat dry with a clean towel, and then apply a light moisturizer. You can repeat the steaming procedure every ten days, the procedure time is no more than ten minutes.

For oily skin, a more frequent steaming regime is suitable: twice a week. The skin should be exposed to steam or heat for at least 12 minutes. Before you start steaming, oily skin needs to be wiped with lotion.

Important: before you start steaming, you should remove all makeup from your skin. The water for washing should be warm, the cleanser should be familiar and soft. It would be nice to make a light homemade scrub by adding a little ground coffee and honey to the cleansing gel or milk. After massaging the skin, you will need to wash off the composition, apply a product to your face according to your skin type and begin the actual steaming procedure.

Steaming facial skin over hot steam

How to steam your face for cleansing? There are three methods that are quite suitable for carrying out a home procedure:

Steaming over a herbal bath;

Hot wet compress;

Using a chemical heating mask.

A hot steam bath is the simplest, most cost-effective and safest way to steam. You need to prepare a deep bowl or small pan for hot water and a large towel. It is convenient to steam over a special steamer, which is designed like a mini-sauna for the face.

How the procedure is carried out:

1. place a vessel with hot water on the table;

2. sit down and lean over the bowl;

3. cover your head with a towel to create a bath effect.

Beware of leaning too far over the hot steam in the first minutes: you can get burned. Moreover, not only the skin of the face, but also the nasal mucosa can suffer. You can focus on the sensations: the steam should not burn.

In principle, you can simply steam your face over boiling water. But for greater benefits of the procedure, you need a herbal decoction - about a liter. You can brew any medicinal herb: calendula, chamomile, coltsfoot. After pouring boiling water over the raw material, you need to let it brew for about five minutes. You can enhance the healing and relaxing effect with the help of essential oil (two drops per liter of decoction).

What combinations are possible (herb plus essential oil):

Dry skin: linden blossom or chamomile for decoction and grape or rose essential oil. If the herb is dried, you need to take a glass of it per liter of water, if it’s fresh – half a glass.

Normal skin: a mixture of sage, lavender and nettle (in a decoction) and rosemary oil to enhance the effect.

Oily skin: thyme or calendula in combination with lemon or mint emir.

Having finished steaming, you need to either narrow, “close” the pores (if no other procedures such as cleansing or nourishing masks are provided), or continue facial care. If steaming was carried out as an independent procedure, the skin should be wiped with a hard towel (this will result in mechanical cleaning) or wiped with a streptocide tablet ground into powder. Then rinse your skin with warm water and wipe with a cube of frozen water. Ice acts instantly: the pores will narrow.

Steaming compress

This method is similar in action to steam, but hot water is used instead of water steam. How to steam your face for cleansing using this method:

Fold natural cotton fabric several times (you can take old, soft chintz or flannel) and make something like a napkin so that it covers the entire face and neck;

Brew herbs according to your skin type, leave them to cool slightly (your hand should tolerate the temperature calmly);

Dip a napkin into the broth, squeeze out;

Immediately, hot, put on your face and lie down;

When the napkin has cooled, wet it again in the hot broth.

Repeat the application procedure three more times until the skin acquires a bright pink color. Once completed, pat your face dry with a towel and begin cleaning.

Masks with steaming effect

Hot masks are another simple and effective answer to the question of how to steam your face for cleansing. Salons use professional chemical compounds that the cosmetologist applies to the face. These, but for household purposes, are sold in cosmetic stores. Their composition, as a rule, includes extracts of their plants (cucumber or strawberry, dogfish or tomato) and minerals (zinc).

Such compositions act in the same way: they create a vacuum between the dermis and the film of the applied product. This creates conditions for deep heating of the skin down to the deepest layers.

But you can steam the skin in another way: simply apply a hot composition to it, that is, use not the chemical, but the thermal principle of steaming. The following homemade masks have worked well:

Yolk-honey;

Oatmeal;

For the first mask, you need to mix one yolk with a tablespoon (tablespoon) of natural honey, mix and heat in a water bath. The composition should become quite hot, but pleasant to the face. You can enhance the nutritional effect of such a home remedy by adding a spoonful of vegetable oil to the honey and yolk (just not flaxseed oil, since flaxseed oil deteriorates when heated).

An oatmeal mask is oatmeal porridge cooked in water, to which no milk, salt or sugar is added. To enhance the cleansing properties, you can add a tablespoon of soda to the cooked gruel. A semolina mask is prepared in a similar way (but without soda). They need to be applied hot enough, but not scalding.

As a result of applying hot cereal masks, the pores open and sebaceous plugs soften. After washing off the compounds, you can begin cleaning. An additional effect that such masks will have is whitening and nourishing the skin.

For whom steaming is contraindicated

Not everyone can do procedures involving heating tissue. Steaming can negatively affect not only the condition of the skin, but also the overall well-being of a person. Hot air, saturated with water vapor, really penetrates deeply into the skin and affects cellular processes, lung function and the circulatory system. If there are any chronic diseases associated with these organs, it is not worth the risk.

Steaming is contraindicated for the following ailments:

Acute period of ARVI;

High temperature of any origin;

Bronchial asthma;

Hypertension;

Pneumonia and bronchitis;

Heart diseases;

Vascular diseases.

Interestingly, steaming before cleansing dries the skin rather than saturating it with water molecules. You should not wait for hydration after the procedure. That is why you should not ignore the preparation for steaming, especially if your skin is dry or sensitive.

If you have rosacea, which often appears on the cheeks and nose, you should not only steam, but also visit a bathhouse or sauna. If the vessels are weak, then it is strictly forbidden to carry out the procedure frequently. This can trigger the appearance of rosacea.

Everyone knows that facial cleansing procedures must be carried out regularly. But if a gel, foam or milk for washing is enough for superficial cleansing, scrub, peeling and the use of special lotions are enough for more thorough cleansing, then for deep cleansing of the skin, preliminary steaming of the face is required. In this publication we will talk about how to steam your face for cleansing at home, what stages the procedure consists of, and we will consider precautions so as not to harm the delicate skin of the face.

Why do you need steaming before cleaning?

To understand the importance of the steaming procedure before deep cleansing the face, let’s consider what processes occur in the skin during steaming:

pores open, which allows substances applied to the face after the steaming procedure to penetrate into the deepest layers of the skin and fulfill their mission of nourishing and restoring the dermis as effectively as possible;
blackheads, so-called comedones, are removed much easier and faster;
the scrub removes dead skin flakes much more effectively if the skin is pre-steamed;
dirt or grease is removed with steam easier and better;
when using an antibacterial solution, skin inflammatory processes disappear;
steam stimulates the skin's production of collagen, which means it gives elasticity.

Preparing for the facial steaming procedure

Any container with a diameter slightly larger than the face is suitable for the procedure. This could be a glass bowl, an enamel pan, a small basin, etc. You can purchase a special container for this procedure - an inhaler or a home mini-sauna. They are sold in cosmetic departments of stores and pharmacies. There are usually instructions on the packaging on how to properly steam your face before deep cleansing. .png" alt="facial steam sauna" width="450" height="221" srcset="" data-srcset="https://kozha-lica.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/img-2017-03-31-12-03-11-450x221..png 768w, https://kozha-lica.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/img-2017-03-31-12-03-11.png 812w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px"> !}

Preparing a steam bath:

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Preparing the face:

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Skin steaming procedure: 3 stages

The procedure for steaming your face at home is very simple and consists of only three steps. With the classic scheme you need:

Remove hair so that it does not interfere. A scarf, a special hair band or simple hairpins will do. Long curls should be tied into a bun.
Cover your head with a towel and bend over a container of hot liquid (herbal decoction or water). The optimal distance from the face to the water is 20 cm. Do not hold your head too close to the hot liquid to avoid skin burns. When using a “sauna” for your face, you do not need to cover your head with a towel.
Sit over the steam for 5 to 20 minutes. The duration of the procedure depends on the skin type. Before starting cleansing, the person steaming the face must know their skin type in order to choose the optimal duration of the procedure. The oilier the skin on your face, the longer you can sit over the steam.
Remove the towel, blot your face with a dry cloth (do not rub) and begin cleaning.

After the face is steamed, proceed directly to. The pores are open very well and blackheads and other impurities are removed without much difficulty. It is important to remember that when mechanically cleaning, your hands must be perfectly clean to avoid infection, and it is better to use special tools to safely remove blackheads.

After cleaning, it is necessary to “close” the pores, i.e. return them to their original state. How to do this, see the following video (the video demonstrates the entire procedure for steaming your face at home):

After the pores are narrowed, you can apply the cream, day or night, depending on the time of day. It is advisable to carry out the steaming procedure in the evening so that the face can rest well after deep cleansing.

How to steam your face before cleansing

For more effective steaming and solving some skin problems, it is recommended to use additional ingredients. These can be medicinal herbs and essential oils, as mentioned above, as well as some pharmaceuticals and even food products. Here are several options to solve different problems:

Herbal decoctions will help cope with many problems. If you are concerned about irritation and redness of the skin, chamomile and elderberry will help, they have the ability to soothe the epidermis. For inflammatory processes, you should use calendula (marigold), coltsfoot. If you have blackheads, the herb St. John's wort will help. For dry skin, strawberry leaves and the collection of the following medicinal herbs are suitable: linden flowers, peppermint and tea rose petals. If, in addition to cleansing, you need to whiten your face, get rid of freckles and other age spots, you can prepare a decoction of parsley and dandelion, and add lemon juice to the mixture before steaming.
With the help of essential oils, you can enhance metabolic processes in the skin. For dry skin, ylang-ylang, jasmine, orange are good, for oily skin - bergamot, lemon, tea tree, and for combination skin it is recommended to use lavender, grapefruit or neroli oil. Essential oils can cause an allergic reaction, so when using any oil for the first time, limit yourself to a maximum of two drops. In subsequent times, you can increase the amount of oil for the procedure to 5 drops.
Pharmacy antiseptics used for steaming are effective for treating problem skin. If there are acne and other rashes on the skin, you can add hydrogen peroxide, chlorophyllipt, miramistin, furatsilin, rotokan (a natural-based antibacterial agent) to the steaming water.
Potatoes boiled in their jackets will help rejuvenate your facial skin. The starch contained in the vegetable will help restore collagen and give elasticity to the skin. Add 1 tbsp to the water left over from cooking the vegetable. l. baking soda and 10 drops of tea tree oil. Thanks to this combination of substances, you can achieve a lifting effect and get rid of fine wrinkles.

Duration and frequency of the procedure

The duration of the steaming procedure is determined based on the type of skin. For oily skin, the procedure time can be 15-20 minutes, but for the first time it is better not to exceed 10 minutes. Dry skin is thinner and more vulnerable; prolonged exposure to steam is contraindicated for it, so we shorten the steaming time to 5-7 minutes.

The frequency of the procedure also depends on the skin type. Oily skin can be steamed once a week, while dry skin can be steamed once or twice a month. Combination skin needs pre-steaming before cleansing approximately once every 10 days.

Contraindications: who should not steam their face?

Although at first glance the steaming procedure seems harmless, there are a number of contraindications to its implementation:

You should not heat a face with noticeable inflammation over steam. As a result, inflammatory processes will only intensify.
In case of rosacea, the procedure is strictly prohibited. Damaged blood vessels can burst when exposed to hot steam.
High temperature is a contraindication to the steaming procedure.
Bronchial asthma and steaming are not compatible. The procedure easily provokes an attack.
Some eye diseases, especially those associated with increased intraocular pressure, exclude the possibility of a heating procedure.
It is not advisable to steam the face for people with diseases of the cardiovascular system. Hot steam can increase blood pressure and cause an exacerbation of heart disease.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the steaming procedure should be carried out very carefully. The skin during these periods is especially vulnerable to various influences. It's better not to experiment.
It is worth considering that hot steam deprives the skin of moisture, as a result it may become overdried and begin to peel. People with extremely dry skin should not steam. Mature skin, dehydrated due to age, will also not benefit from the procedure.

Alternative steaming methods

If you don’t really want to steam your skin over a bowl or pan, you can make applications: dip a clean napkin into the prepared hot infusion, then place it on your cleansed face and lie there for about 5 minutes. Then repeat the procedure three to five times (depending on skin type). The effect will be significantly less than with the classical method.

You can purchase ready-made steaming masks for facial cleansing. The substances included in their composition, when interacting with water, begin to release heat, as a result of which the pores expand and cleaning becomes easier. The effect will be small, but these masks will help people who are contraindicated for intense thermal procedures.

Due to the large number of contraindications and the fairly high aggressiveness of the effects of steam on the skin, it is gaining increasing popularity. The cosmetic product allows you to expand pores, soften sebaceous plugs and dead skin particles. When using the product, there is no heating of tissues, so almost everyone can use it. The cold hydrogenation procedure is best done by a cosmetologist, but if you strictly follow the instructions, you can do it yourself at home.

Finally

Clean skin is guaranteed only if the steaming procedure before cleansing becomes a regular rather than a one-time procedure. But remember that in general, the classic steaming procedure is aggressive for the skin and has many contraindications. Treat the procedure thoughtfully, weigh all the pros and cons, and the result will not disappoint.