As we are approach the British winter, we comfort ourselves with everything that brings more heat to our lives.
We wrap ourselves with comfy woolen clothes, pamper ourselves with heat therapies such as hot stone massages and dream about sunny escapes, booking visits to spas, where we can soak in warm whirlpools and indulge in steam and saunas.
For everyday warming remedies, heat treatments such as heating pads, hot water bottles or warm baths, tend to work best for soothing stiff joints and tired muscles. Heat enhances circulation, delivering nutrients to joints and muscles. When our body receives heat, blood brings oxygen to tissues and cells, relaxing any soreness and stiffness.
To maintain a healthy body, one needs to maintain healthy skin. One of the ways to support skin’s health, is facial steaming.
Heat therapy in the form of facial steaming, has an outstanding impact on the skin. Skin is the largest orga
n in the body and functions as protective armour against sun-damage, bacterial invasion and dehydration. It also acts as a temperature regulator and excretion medium of waste materials, ammonia and uric acid.
Face Steaming is a deep cleansing method that uses hot water vapour to open pores. Steam dilates the skin, making it easy to remove embedded dirt, blackheads and grime from the pores, helping to loosen blockages and clears pus from infected tissues.
Why is Facial Steaming so important?
It Cleanses your pores.
Clogged pores are one of the key contributing factors to acne breakouts, and can lead to infection and severe skin irritation. Whether you suffer from acne or have blemish-free skin, one of the best ways to cleanse facial pores is to steam your face.
The warm steam causes your face to sweat, which opens the pores and helps soften the surface layer of dead skin cells, releasing dirt and debris that could be the cause of breakouts and would otherwise stay trapped.
Our skin naturally produces sebum that protects and lubricates skin, but when it becomes trapped in a follicle, a breakout can occur. One such breakout is in the form of a blackhead. When steam is applied to the face, it softens blackhead plugs, gently releasing them from follicular openings. While this process can help clear up mild acne, those who suffer from severe acne or skin conditions like Rosacea should consult a doctor before trying an at home facial steam.
Steaming makes skin more receptive to other skincare treatments. 
Once your pores have opened and the dirt and debris have been eliminated, your clean pores can absorb better products such as a face mask or serum.
Steaming enhances circulation.
Without getting too scientific, steaming your face triggers a thermo-regulating response, in which blood vessels in the skin dilate so that more blood can flow to the skin, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the tissue. This is what gives tired, dull skin that rosy, dewy post-steam glow.
Removes toxins.
When you sweat in the steam room or take a hot detoxifying bath, your body perspires and releases toxins. Your face is no different, so facial steaming is a great way to release toxins that could be causing imbalances in your skin.
Promotes relaxation.
Steam has a calming effect on the system. If you add essential oils or herbs to the water, you can then have a soothing, healing aromatherapy session within your home facial steam. See top tips below for more details.
Deep Cleansing Facials at Shine
Dermalogica Customised Facial Skin Treatment 60mins – £60
Having regular facials that include steaming your face, is the best way to keep and maintain your skin’s health at its best. At Shine we have an extensive range of Dermalogica Facials, with every skin type carefully considered. You are always welcome to come in for a consultation and discuss your concerns with one of our Skin Specialists.
How To Do An At-Home Facial Steam
Essentially all you need is a bowl of steaming water, but there are other great things you can add to enliven the experience.
Bring a pot of water to the boil, transfer the water to a ceramic or glass bowl, put a towel over your head and the bowl, trapping the steam. Place your face close enough to the steam so that you feel it on your face, but not so close that your skin feels like it is burning or overheating.
Top Tips
- Steam for a minimum of 5 minutes, and no more than 10 minutes.
- Add a facial steam tea to infuse your skin with therapeutic herbs, flowers and roots.
- Steam once a week for the best results.
- Remember, if you have severe acne or a serious skin condition, please consult your GP before doing an at-home facial steam.
Steaming has other therapeutic purposes:
It can be used to reduce nasal congestion when you have a cold. Simply add a drop of mentholated balm to the water and then breathe in the steam for a few minutes.
For a good night’s sleep, add a few drops of lavender oil to steaming water. Inhale for five minutes at bedtime.
Clear a headache naturally by steaming with herbs. Add a bunch of fresh rosemary sprigs to the water and steam for 5- 10 minutes.
There are so many ways to benefit from steaming. We hope that you are suitably inspired to give it a go yourself, otherwise come and see us for a fantastic facial treatment today.
Dana Vronksa- Beauty Manager at Shine on the Green.
