How to steam the face?

Many women probably notice that after taking a bath or a bath visit, the skin of the face becomes smooth, its color improves, and the number of black dots decreases. These positive changes occur not only because you have washed your face thoroughly, but also under the influence of steam.

The effect of hot, moist air on any type of skin is very large. It helps to soften it, increase elasticity. Favorable effects of steam for the vascular system of the face, as it increases the process of sweating and blood circulation. After the steam bath, resorption of seals on the skin of the face often occurs, inflammatory reactions stop. However, the most important thing is that steam makes pores open up, which makes it easier to remove fat plugs, dead skin cells, makeup residues and other contaminants that inevitably accumulate in the pores of the inhabitants of megacities and areas with a poor ecological situation.

Often this is practically the only remedy for the recovery of problem skin, when many cosmetic creams, lotions and gels are powerless. The frequency and duration of steaming depend on the type of skin and its condition. For oily skin prone to the formation of acne and inflammation, the procedure lasts 8-10 minutes, it 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, on which there are many polluted pores and seals.

If the skin is normal or combined and there are no pronounced impurities on it, the steaming is reduced to 5-6 minutes, and it is enough to carry out the procedure once every 3-4 weeks. With dry skin, the exposure time is even shorter, and the frequency is even rarer. Dry skin is rarely prone to the formation of comedones, so one steaming is enough to be done every 3-4 months. And if there is still pollution on dry skin, the procedure can be carried out a little more often - once in 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 performing many cosmetic sessions. Before massage, peeling, using scrubs and gommas steaming is very desirable. It is especially necessary before cleaning the face. Steamed skin easier gives the contents of pores and blackheads, after cleaning it has less visible redness and swelling.

Although steaming is useful in many respects for the skin, especially problem skin, it must be remembered that getting rid of acne is a very long process. Therefore, do not expect instant results from a single procedure. Nevertheless, even with abundant acne should not be abused. A useful step is consultation with a cosmetologist and the implementation of a set of measures. With all the useful properties of the procedure in some cases, it should be treated with caution, given the state of the body.

Precautions may be as follows:

• do not exceed the recommended duration and frequency of steam baths, as this will lead to excessive loss of sebum, expansion of closely located blood vessels, and adverse effects on muscle tone;
• Do not use too hot steam, as it can cause burns to the skin;
• very dry skin before the procedure, it is desirable to protect the cream;
• in the cold season, you should not immediately leave the room, you can go out to the open air no earlier than 30–40 minutes after the procedure, as the pores opened wide when opened, the skin temporarily lost its natural lubrication, so the frosty air is harmful to the vessels ;
• should delay the procedure if there are pronounced inflammation;
• in steam baths it is often advised to add medicinal herbs and other means, as long as you do not have an allergic reaction to them.

As with any cosmetic procedure, steaming can have contraindications:

• if pustular eruptions are present, carrying out the steaming is fraught with the transfer of infection to even larger surfaces;
• you must stop peeling, as steaming has a drying effect;
• contraindication is sluggish skin with a large number of wide open pores, pink acne;
• 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, other injuries;
• a serious reason to abandon the procedure will be the vascular mesh on the nose and cheeks, herpes, dermatitis, acne inflammation stage.

To do the steaming, choose a free day (it will take a lot of time), especially if you have planned to clean your face afterwards. To conduct steaming, you need to prepare for it. The preparation of the necessary items depends on the chosen method. In beauty salons use special devices. Today they can be purchased in 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 steam regulators. Using the device will protect you from accidentally spilling hot water on yourself.

The missing instrument will easily replace a wide metal or porcelain bowl. Any bowl, salad bowl or small bowl will do. Heat the water and add medicinal herbs to it. You will also need a large terry towel. For those who do not want to mess with the basins, there is a simpler way - you can put a small towel moistened with hot water on your face. For the same purpose, you can purchase a mask in a pharmacy. Natural materials are used for pharmaceutical masks, they are usually impregnated with extracts from medicinal plants. Mask moistened with water and put on face. As a rule, manufacturers indicate how much to keep it on the face. If not, 15 minutes will be enough.

Many brands produce special steaming agents. They come in the form of creams, gels, emulsions. From contact with water, they begin to emit heat. These tools have a more gentle effect and therefore are less effective than the actual steaming. But then they are perfect for those women who are contraindicated in the use of hot steam. 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 with the help of cosmetics. Then you need to wash with warm water using antibacterial agents. You can apply gels or foams of any brand, suitable for skin type. You can use a special soap with different additives, which is produced in a wide variety, for example, tar or sulfur.Such a tool will effectively cleanse the skin without tightening it, will have an anti-inflammatory and soothing effect.

The next step, especially for oily skin, is the use of scrub or peeling. They need to be applied to the still moist skin and easy to rub, making circles on the massage lines. These lines are directed away from the center of the face. It is desirable 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 apply it to a thoroughly cleansed face. If you have a small amount of visible red vessels on your face, also lubricate them with cream.

If you have never done steaming, then the first time is better to contact the beauty parlor, where you will learn how to carry out the procedure correctly and get recommendations that correspond to the state and type of your skin from an experienced specialist. Subsequently, you can do the steaming at home by yourself. There are situations when there is a festive event, and you want to clean and refresh your face. Pharmacy masks and special gels will help you do this quickly at home.

Of course, a very deep steaming will not occur, but the gels often contain substances that have an anti-inflammatory, soothing effect, they are enriched with vitamins and plant extracts. Steaming out gels not only cleanse the skin. They help to increase its tone and create a protective barrier. Gels from good manufacturers have a lasting effect. In case of an allergic reaction, use of the agent should be stopped. Also, you can easily and quickly perform the procedure with a wet towel moistened with hot water. When it cools, it is moistened with hot water again. So you need to do several times.

To perform the procedure using water vapor, pour hot water into the prepared container. Bend over it - the steam should not burn, the face should be steamed at a comfortable temperature. The optimal rate - +60 C. If it becomes very hot, lift the edge of the towel. After removing the hair from the face and covering the head and shoulders with a towel over the container, stay in that position for the right time.

After finishing the steaming, scrub the skin. It will help remove the remaining comedones and other contaminants from the pores. If the skin is tender and sensitive, skip this step.

Now rinse your face with cool water. Although this is necessary in order to narrow the enlarged and cleaned pores, do not use too cold water. Dab your face with a clean towel and wipe with a disinfectant according to your skin type. Lotions and tonics are suitable for dry use; alcohol-containing agents, such as salicylic acid, calendula tincture, chloramphenicol solution, can be used for oily problem medicines. They have anti-acne effect, have an astringent effect.

Now your skin is ready for applying nourishing creams and masks. Use ready-made cosmetics packaged 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 useful, add leaves, flowers or roots of herbs to it. You can take one plant, a good solution would be to prepare a collection of them. It is taken at the rate of 1 tbsp. l for the procedure.In order for herbs to better manifest themselves, they are dipped in water before heating and brought to a boil. By the time the water has cooled to the desired temperature, the steam will be saturated with useful substances.

Herbs act on the skin in different ways:

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

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

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

Steam bath is a great skin treatment and can help in an emergency. However, it must be remembered that face care is not a separate rare event, but a whole range of measures. Facial care needs to be done every day. Only then will you achieve a lasting positive result.

Do not forget to apply the night cream to restore the epidermis, and in the afternoon to protect the face from the harmful effects of the environment and ultraviolet radiation with the help of day cream.

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

To learn how to properly make a steam bath for the face at home and clean the pores, see the following video.