Help With Steaming Face (Pores)
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free skin care · Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:44 pm

Hi all
I come here for suggestions and support because everyone here is faboulous! So what is the process for steaming my pores. I mean, I know how to in the sense that I put a pot of water on the stove and when it starts boiling, put my face over it with a towel and steam away. But my question is, I was thinking that I should steam my pores first and then do my cleanse on my face once my pores are open...but, I have makeup on. So would I cleanse my skin first, then steam then apply my mosturizer? Help on the steps please and thanks. Very Happy

free skin care · Sat Apr 12, 2008 5:41 pm

I remember reading in a magazine suggesting to steam and then cleanse.

free skin care · Sat Apr 12, 2008 6:11 pm

you clean your face first, then steam your face.
After that people usually apply mask to get all that crap in the pore out.
I use Dr. Haushka's clay mask (or watever its called) after.

free skin care · Sat Apr 12, 2008 6:28 pm

Definately cleanse before steaming, otherwise you end up clogging up your pores. The order should go cleanse, exfoliate, steam, mask, moisturize (if you are doing all these steps).

free skin care · Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:16 pm

Once the water is boiled put it in a pyrex container and put a towel over the head to keep the steam in. You can add herbs or essential oils to it too for more benefits. Do not put face over the stove as you can have an accident that way.

Do not put face too close either or you can burn your face.

free skin care · Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:33 pm

CMAYC wrote:

Definately cleanse before steaming, otherwise you end up clogging up your pores. The order should go cleanse, exfoliate, steam, mask, moisturize (if you are doing all these steps).

I second that!

Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:23 am

No no no! First cleanse and then steam! When you steam you are opening up all of your pores and if you don't cleanse first, all of the makeup, sweat, dirt, etc...will go into your pores which is a recipe for disaster! Cleanse, steam and then if you wish do a blackhead cleaning, peeling and mask. Finish it off with a moisturizer and sunscreen!

free skin care · Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:31 am

CMAYC wrote:

Definately cleanse before steaming, otherwise you end up clogging up your pores. The order should go cleanse, exfoliate, steam, mask, moisturize (if you are doing all these steps).

I agree, but if you are acne prone, don't moisturize right away or use omega oil serum to balance your oil production.

free skin care · Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:58 am

bergquis wrote:

Hi all
I come here for suggestions and support because everyone here is faboulous! So what is the process for steaming my pores. I mean, I know how to in the sense that I put a pot of water on the stove and when it starts boiling, put my face over it with a towel and steam away. But my question is, I was thinking that I should steam my pores first and then do my cleanse on my face once my pores are open...but, I have makeup on. So would I cleanse my skin first, then steam then apply my mosturizer? Help on the steps please and thanks. Very Happy

Better yet Berg, don't do it at all! Yes honestly! You will only damage your skin. Skin derives no benefit from steaming.

free skin care · Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:57 am

SusieQ wrote:

Better yet Berg, don't do it at all! Yes honestly! You will only damage your skin. Skin derives no benefit from steaming.

OOOOOOOHHH, I disagree 100%, and here's why;

It increases circulation
Increases cell turnover
Opens clogged congested pores to allow deep cleaning
And just feels so darned good

I believe the only 'damage' that could result, would be from accidently burning oneself.

free skin care · Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:03 am

Kassy_A wrote:

SusieQ wrote:

Better yet Berg, don't do it at all! Yes honestly! You will only damage your skin. Skin derives no benefit from steaming.

OOOOOOOHHH, I disagree 100%, and here's why;

It increases circulation
Increases cell turnover
Opens clogged congested pores to allow deep cleaning
And just feels so darned good

I believe the only 'damage' that could result, would be from accidently burning oneself.

Yea, I agree that it's a great thing to do. If it was so "bad" then i'm sure spas wouldn't do this!

free skin care · Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:08 pm

If you are serious about steaming I would invest in a facial steamer. You can buy one for as low as $20.00. The reason I say this is: Boiling water over the stove might not be the perfect steam temperature. Your facial experience would be more relaxing with a steamer. I saw this one on Amazon. They also have others for less money.

http://www.amazon.com/Satin-Smooth-SSMFS-PROFESSIONAL-STEAMER/dp/B0011UEP7C/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1208112985&sr=1-10

This one get good reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Kaz-Steam-Facial-By/dp/B0001XLSQ6/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_img_5

free skin care · Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:46 pm

With the exception of rosacea sufferers, steaming is very beneficial, but doesn't have to be part of one's routine regularly. I would recommend doing it no more often than once a month and for no longer than 10-15 minutes. I agree with those of you that recommended against doing it over a pot of boiling water - you risk of injury would be too high. Instead, pour boiling water into a stainless steel bowl, place your face over it with a towel over your head. Just be careful to keep a safe distance from the water to avoid burning your skin. You could even add a couple of drops of essential oil to the water (lavender's a great one!).

free skin care · Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:00 pm

Kassy_A wrote:

SusieQ wrote:

Better yet Berg, don't do it at all! Yes honestly! You will only damage your skin. Skin derives no benefit from steaming.

OOOOOOOHHH, I disagree 100%, and here's why;

It increases circulation
Increases cell turnover
Opens clogged congested pores to allow deep cleaning
And just feels so darned good

I believe the only 'damage' that could result, would be from accidently burning oneself.

You cannot open and close pores like a door. Besides the obvious burning extreme temps on the skin is not a good thing. You risk only irritation and inflammation. Skin's immune system would be greatly impaired. For good skin health, the only good thing you can do is treat your skin gently.

free skin care · Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:07 pm

cortigirl wrote:

Kassy_A wrote:

SusieQ wrote:

Better yet Berg, don't do it at all! Yes honestly! You will only damage your skin. Skin derives no benefit from steaming.

OOOOOOOHHH, I disagree 100%, and here's why;

It increases circulation
Increases cell turnover
Opens clogged congested pores to allow deep cleaning
And just feels so darned good

I believe the only 'damage' that could result, would be from accidently burning oneself.

Yea, I agree that it's a great thing to do. If it was so "bad" then i'm sure spas wouldn't do this!

Spas don't necessarily know any better either. All I know are the numbers of people who walk out with red faces and breakouts a couple of days later and that says a lot right there and thats enough proof for me.

free skin care · Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:07 pm

SusieQ wrote:

cortigirl wrote:

Kassy_A wrote:

SusieQ wrote:

Better yet Berg, don't do it at all! Yes honestly! You will only damage your skin. Skin derives no benefit from steaming.

OOOOOOOHHH, I disagree 100%, and here's why;

It increases circulation
Increases cell turnover
Opens clogged congested pores to allow deep cleaning
And just feels so darned good

I believe the only 'damage' that could result, would be from accidently burning oneself.

Yea, I agree that it's a great thing to do. If it was so "bad" then i'm sure spas wouldn't do this!

Spas don't necessarily know any better either. All I know are the numbers of people who walk out with red faces and breakouts a couple of days later and that says a lot right there and thats enough proof for me.

Hmm, weird...my skin always look amazing when I leave after a facial. I never break out..and usually I do with doing my own face masks and microdermabrasion!

free skin care · Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:31 pm

[quote="SusieQ All I know are the numbers of people who walk out with red faces and breakouts a couple of days later and that says a lot right there and thats enough proof for me.[/quote]

Lots of times it's not so much the 'tool' that's at fault, but the 'mechanic'.... hmm

free skin care · Sun Apr 13, 2008 8:01 pm

Kassy_A wrote:

[quote="SusieQ All I know are the numbers of people who walk out with red faces and breakouts a couple of days later and that says a lot right there and thats enough proof for me.

Lots of times it's not so much the 'tool' that's at fault, but the 'mechanic'.... hmm

[/quote]I agree with that one!

free skin care · Mon Apr 14, 2008 12:09 am

If the water is still boiling or has just been taken off heat from a boiling temperature it is FAR too hot to put your face over. A great number of very severe burns are a result of steam. I think a good rule of thumb is when the water is cool enough to sip without burning your tongue the steam is also cool enough to not burn. The beneficial effects are from longevity and not temperature. Hotter is not better!

free skin care · Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:22 am

The skin should be cleansed with a cleanser and then steamed. However people with very sensitive skin, diabetes, asthma, respiratory problems and vascular skin disorders such as acne rosacea should not steam their face.

The correct way to steam depends on skin type. For oily/combination skin the steamer can be placed closer to the skin and can be steamed for longer time (10-15 minutes) Dry, sensitive and mature skin should keep the steamer further away form the face and should be steamed for less time (5-7 minutes).

Eye cream should be applied to the eye area and covered with damp cotton wool because the skin around the eyes is more delicate.

Steaming will open the pores amongst other benefits which have already been mentioned in the reviews above. So now that the poree are opened the appropriate face mask should be applied according to your skin type. The mask will penetrate deeper into the epidermis and work better.

Remove mask and then tone and moisturise skin as usual.

Steaming is very good for the skin but you should be careful not to over stimulate the skin.

free skin care · Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:56 am

I perform facials on my clients in my salon and an important step of the facial process, that keeps my clients coming back regularly, is extractions. It is virtually impossible to properly extract a comedone (blackhead) without softening the deposit first (via steaming). Steaming, when done for at an appropriate distance and specific amount of time, is absolutely NOT detrimental to the skin.

free skin care · Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:34 am

CMAYC wrote:

I perform facials on my clients in my salon and an important step of the facial process, that keeps my clients coming back regularly, is extractions. It is virtually impossible to properly extract a comedone (blackhead) without softening the deposit first (via steaming). Steaming, when done for at an appropriate distance and specific amount of time, is absolutely NOT detrimental to the skin.

Yep, when I had really oily clogged skin, regular facials were the only thing that kept my skin from being so acne prone. As long as its done right by a good esthetician and properly formulated products then facials can really help. I have had estheticians that liked to dig every pore clean and ones that only dug the big or stubborn ones.

I did find though that a Decleor facial was not painful at all cos of their way of doing things. The esthetician rubbed some oil on my nose during steaming and then some more afterwards and the extractions were not painful.

free skin care · Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:37 am

CMAYC wrote:

I perform facials on my clients in my salon and an important step of the facial process, that keeps my clients coming back regularly, is extractions. It is virtually impossible to properly extract a comedone (blackhead) without softening the deposit first (via steaming). Steaming, when done for at an appropriate distance and specific amount of time, is absolutely NOT detrimental to the skin.

I understand that this is your occupation. However, steaming is still detrimental to skin. The operative word is to be GENTLE to skin, not to irritate.

free skin care · Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:22 am

SusieQ wrote:

However, steaming is still detrimental to skin.

You keep saying that, but you haven't explained the why's or how's.....Care to elaborate?

free skin care · Mon Apr 14, 2008 12:07 pm

I've found pleasing results with the following:
cleanse, steam, then rub freshly-cut aloe over the face and neck before the pores close up.

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