There are many products out on the market now which claim to be the end all, be all for all of your acne woes. But before you shell out your hard earned money, consider giving the power of steam a try. Using steam to get rid of acne is not only considered a simple method of adult acne home treatment, but it’s also touted as a very powerful natural remedy. No longer do you have to worry about the ingredients contained in some of the more popular acne treatment solutions and how they will affect your skin. Continue on to learn how to use the power of steam to help rid your skin of acne.
Steam Bath
Creating an atmosphere for your pores to open can be achieved with a steam bath. This can be accomplished one of two ways: (1) by way of a sauna or steam room, and (2) creating your own steam bath at home.
At Home Steam Treatment
To accomplish an adult acne home treatment using steam, all you need is a bowl of hot water and a large cloth or sheet. Begin by filling your bowl with hot water. Don’t worry about the steam rising as this is essential to opening up your pores. Next, place you head over the bowl and face the water. Lastly, put the cloth over your head while you are facing the bowl in order to trap the steam. (Remember: Never use plastic as this could lead to suffocation if you place it over your head). The rule of thumb here is to only use breathable fabric. Ensure that the water is not too hot. To avoid this, do not use boiling water from kettles or pots. Instead, opt for hot water from the tap.
Your steam treatment should last for at least 10 minutes. At the 5 minute mark, be sure to check your skin for any adverse reactions. Once your treatment is over, wipe your face with an astringent such as apple cider vinegar or witch hazel to remove any excess oils that were drawn out by the steam. Since your skin is already sensitive, be sure to test for any allegoric reactions by applying the astringent to a small test area first. If you don’t have access to apple cider vinegar or witch hazel, cold water can also be used as an astringent.
Steam Room Acne Treatment
If you prefer not to do your own steam treatment, or you enjoy the comfort of a more controlled atmosphere, you can opt for a sauna treatment which will treat your entire body, or you can enlist the services of a specialist for a facial steam treatment. If you decide to use a sauna, make sure that you rinse off all of the impurities from your skin, and that you close your pores with cold water.
If you decide to go to a specialist for treatment, consider going to a dermatologist or beauty parlor for a personalized experience. Usually they will have you lie on your back while they direct steam to your face. A big advantage to this is that the temperature will be set at the best level for acne. This session will be followed by a cleansing and perhaps a face mask.
So How Does It Work?
Steam as an adult acne home treatment can help treat acne in two ways:
First, it opens your pores and hair follicles, and causes you to sweat. Sweating is essential for washing away any dirt and bacteria in the pores.
Secondly, steam stimulates blood circulation to your skin. This is helpful in bringing much needed oxygen and nutrients to the skin. In turn, it helps your skin resist infection.
So Are There Any Side Effects?
In some cases, people with very sensitive skin may find that steam that is too hot can cause them to have a negative reaction to steam treatment. In a very small number of cases, steam treatment can even aggravate acne. If you are prone to very sensitive skin, it is wise to consult a dermatologist to see if steam treatment is recommended for your acne.
Steam is a simple and cheap adult acne home treatment, but don’t be alarmed if your skin appears red after a steam treatment. The redness should disappear within about a half hour, although it varies for each individual. If you know that you have a big event coming up though, be sure to plan your steam treatments wisely.
Related posts:
