Treating Acne with Steam Bath
What is steam bath?
The term refers to a room or cabinet with internal temperature of around 44C and 100% humidity. People sit within these cabinets to treat most common ailments. Steam bath soothes sore muscles, open clogged pores and provides relaxing experience. Steam bath is not new; it has been popular since ancient times. Romans and Greeks used to have steam bath for relaxation, softening muscles and calm sleep.
How steam bath works for acne?
To best understand, you must know the mechanism of acne flare up.
Mechanism of Acne Flare up:
Acne is a disorder of inflammation of hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Most often the inflammation is caused due to clogged skin pores. Pores are clogged due to overproduction of sebum from sebaceous glands. Overproduction of sebum is associated with imbalance in hormone production and immunological factors. Besides these factors, there are hundreds of other factors.
May be there is any factor, excessive sebum results in clogged pores. When pores are clogged and sebum is overproduced continuously, it forces the hair follicles to rupture as well as and a small bump arise on the upper surface of skin. If the sebum still stays inside the bump, the structure is called whitehead. If the bump pops out and sebum leaks the bumps, it is called blackheads. When the bump ruptures, it causes infections in its surrounding tissues and sometimes a cyst is formed. Thus, pimples, pustules, papules and zits are all names of whiteheads and blackheads depending upon their severity and morphology.
Mechanism of steam bath:
It is common observation that when you are in a steamy environments, you body gets soaked with sweat. Do you know why it happens so?
Your body maintains optimum temperature by discharging heat through pores. But when it is under higher temperature than the temperature of its own, it secretes sweat. When secrete is touched with air, it cools the body. Thus, in a steam cabinet, you are exposed to around 44C and 100% humidity. This environment induces the secretion of sweat. Usually 15 to 20 minutes of session is enough within the cabinet. During the whole session, your body is soaked with sweat that opens the clogged pores. In this way not only, pores are opened, but also all contamination is removes from the skin. It is similar to a facial steam of your face to make its complexion better and clean.
How long it will take to show positive results?
It depends upon your skin and body response. Be careful that you should not take excessive steam baths as it may harm your body. Usually, after 5 to 6 sessions, you will notice how clean, soft your skin is. You will have calm sleep and relaxed mood.
Where can I have a steam bath?
Steam baths cabinets are available in hospitals, medical centers and salons. You can even buy your own steam bath cabinet to be installed in your home.
Tips and advices:
- If you are a heart patient or have any critical disease, do not take a half steam bath unless you consult with your doctor.
- Steam bath should not exceed more than 15 to 20 minutes
- You can use aroma oils while having steam bath
- Drink lots of water and eat salty snacks to compensate mineral discharge through sweat.
Conclusion:
Steam bath is a natural acne treatment suitable for nearly every person spending healthy life with no critical health issues. It unclogs the pores, soothes your skin and as a result, acne disappears within one or two weeks. Romans and Greeks used to have steam bath for relaxation and calm sleep.
