Is sauna effective for acne?

This is an automatically translated article.

Do you like facial steam? Facial steaming makes you feel great and leaves skin looking brighter and more radiant. You have also heard that facial steaming clears pores, so can facial steaming treat acne? Should you steam your face more often? Keep reading to learn more about the possible benefits of facial steaming, the different methods of facial steaming, and some of its potential risks.

1. Benefits of Facial Steaming

People use many different techniques to clean their skin. While some people seek out the best cleansers and moisturizers, others use steam and facial steaming. While a simple bowl or basin of hot water can do this, some people add salt, lemon, tea, dried herbs, and oil to the water for added benefits. Researchers have not studied the benefits of facial steaming. Most of the available information about the benefits of facial steaming comes from anecdotal evidence.
Here is a list of possible health benefits of facial steaming :
Moisturizing the skin The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) does not recommend using a facial steamer as a treatment method. Moisturizing treatment for dry skin. However, they recommend that people with dry skin close the bathroom door while showering.
Taking a warm bath or shower with the door closed can trap steam in the bathroom and help hydrate the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology does not recommend hot baths or showers because these can worsen dry skin. Additionally, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a humidifier to add moisture to the air to help skin retain water.
Gives a soothing sensation Many people describe a feeling of calm and relaxation when using a facial steamer. People use steam rooms in gyms and spas to relieve stress. Many natural hot springs are found throughout North America and around the world. People visit hot springs and soak in hot tubs to relax.
Although researchers have not studied the benefits of visiting a hot spring, many spas attempt to recreate the calming environment of a hot spring.

Increase the effectiveness of beauty creams, serums, and masks When people steam their faces, they are exposing their skin to the steam from hot water. This technique can increase the temperature of the skin, which can increase blood circulation. With increased blood circulation, products can more easily pass through the skin barrier.
One study examined how higher temperatures affected the absorption of nicotine patches on pig skin. The researchers noted a three-fold increase in nicotine absorption through the skin at 42°C compared with 32°C.
This suggests that skin absorption is more efficient at higher temperatures, which has may suggest potential benefits of facial steaming and absorbing lotions and other products.
Increasing the skin's temperature can allow the ingredients of creams, serums and masks to absorb more deeply through the skin barrier. The clinical benefit of applying skin care products to warm skin is uncertain.
Purify Pores People use facial steamers because they believe that the hot steam will open the pores and help clear any residue. The American Academy of Dermatology does not recommend using a facial steamer to unclog pores. They recommend using other cleansers twice daily and avoiding products that can clog pores.
Although it may appear that pores open and close, closed pores are simply pores that have widened because they are blocked; Changing skin temperature will not change the size of pores. The best way to clean pores is to use mild cleansers.
Pores may also be larger in people with less elastic skin and those with acne. The American Academy of Dermatology also notes that retinol products can help improve the appearance of facial pores. People who want to try retinol products should consult a doctor as it may not be an appropriate treatment for everyone.
Boosts collagen production Some commercial facial steamers claim to promote collagen and elastin production. Collagen and elastin give the skin a plump and vibrant appearance. As people age, the skin becomes thin and loose due to the loss of collagen and elastin. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this anecdotal claim.
Doctors may recommend retinoids or other physical treatments, such as microfocal ultrasound and radiofrequency microneedling to boost collagen and elastin production.

2. Is sauna effective for acne?

Facial steaming is a favorite feature of any salon, and personal facial steamers for home use are extremely popular. Besides, many people apply the traditional method of placing a bowl of warm water over a towel. However, this steaming doesn't really clean the pores! Pore ​​blockages (known as comedones) occur when oil and dead skin cells build up in the pores. This thick and sticky substance is the basis of every blackhead, whitehead, or cyst.
Even steaming for hours will not clear this plug from the pore or prevent new knots from forming, as they grow deeper in the pore. Steam, no matter how pleasant it may feel, only rises to the surface of your skin and never penetrates the pores where acne forms.
This is not to say that facial steaming has no place in skin care. Facial steaming can soften blackheads and non-inflammatory breakouts so that these blockages can be more easily removed from the pores. This is why during acne treatment, your esthetician will steam you before starting to pluck. After the plug is soft, it can be pulled out of the pore by gentle pressure. Your skin care professional should never attempt to pick up an inflamed pimple as it will damage the skin. If you are super gentle and careful, you can pop your pimples at home. You can do so safely, without harming the skin.
Besides preparing for tooth extraction, steaming also increases circulation, helps your skin look brighter and gives your skin a rosy glow.
2.1. Steaming and Acne Treatment While steaming your face will soften acne and make it easier to remove, steaming alone won't clear it up. Steaming and extractions help clear up existing pore blockages, but no matter how often you steam your face, it won't stop new breakouts from forming. For inflammatory acne, and especially larger ones like nodules and cystic acne, steam will not work to clear the skin. You can't get rid of these big and deep pimples.
Steaming too often or using steam that is too hot can actually make inflammatory acne worse because it increases redness and inflammation

2.2. Acne Treatment If you love steaming your face and it doesn't leave your skin too red or irritated, then enjoy it. But should know that sauna is not a way to treat acne. You're better off using topical treatments or oral medications to control breakouts.
For mild acne and blackheads, over-the-counter acne products may be enough to control breakouts. For moderate to severe acne, you'll need prescription acne medication, so call your dermatologist.
While facial steams can help clear up minor pore blockages and blackheads, they won't do anything to get rid of active acne. You can still steam your face, but use them alongside proven acne medications for real skin improvement.

3. Facial steaming method

There are several ways people can use facial steam, including:
3.1. Commercial Facial Steamers Many types of commercial facial steamers are available to consumers, with prices varying greatly. Again, there's no scientific data to back them up. Commercial facial steamers come with different features and accessory tools to remove blackheads and pimples.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, overuse of facial cleaning methods and equipment can damage the skin and lead to infection. Dermatologists recommend being gentle on your face. To clear acne, people should use mild cleansers, avoid scrubbing and pat the skin with a clean towel.

3.2. Spa treatments Spa treatments can be the most expensive option. Some spas offer facial packages with multiple treatments included.
Spa facials can include a variety of treatments, including mud therapy, exfoliation, massage, masking and steaming.
As all spas will offer different facial treatments, the researchers were unable to determine whether spa treatments offer any benefit or compare with commercial facial steamers how.
3.3. Steaming over a bowl of hot water People can also steam their face using tools available in the kitchen or bathroom. Using boiling water involves exposure to very hot steam, so people must be careful not to burn their faces.
Some people choose to clean their face before steaming. Sometimes people put a towel over their head to focus the steam on the face. Prolonged and frequent sauna use can dry out the skin. After the sauna, some people may apply facial cream or other beauty products.
Although there is no scientific evidence to confirm its effectiveness or evaluate its safety, some people have added salt, lemon, green tea, herbs, and essential oils to their water. Steam contains no salt, because salt is left when water changes from a liquid state to a gaseous state.
Green tea may have antioxidant properties, helping to improve skin condition. However, there is no evidence that these properties will be transmitted to a person via steam. Researchers recently demonstrated in a limited number of studies that green tea extract and tea tree oil may have acne treatment applications. Again, however, these studies used the products directly on the skin rather than in steam form. Further studies are needed to determine if saunas are effective and whether the addition of different types of water increases its effectiveness.
Hope the above information has provided you with more options and answers about what saunas do. Wish you always have a scientific diet and improve your work productivity and improve your life.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: erywellhealth.com, medicalnewstoday.com