We all look forward to the day when we confidently post a makeup-free selfie with a “fresh face” hashtag. However, the fight against genetics, pollution, and questionable eating and sleeping habits continues.
To combat those contributing factors we turn to science, technology, and skin care fads. Among the latest skincare fads is the in home facial steamer, but are they safe for deeper skin tones?
Proponents and professionals who use facial steamers purport that they work by opening the pores and priming the skin to get the most out of skin care products and extractions. Ideally, if you have clogged pores, blackheads, oily skin, and/or acne prone skin, using a facial steamer a few times a week may help you to achieve the maximum benefit from your products.
“They’re very good if used correctly. Heat opens the pores, and contracts the pores to make them smaller. You also loosen the blackheads so they can be extracted out. So steamers are useful in that regard,” says Dr. Rosetta Garries, M.D., a New York based plastic surgeon who does exclusively non invasive facial and body rejuvenation, specializing in skin.
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When it comes to doing it in home, Dr. Garries maintains that you have to be trained.
“People are learning so much off the internet. Some of it is correct information, and some of it is incorrect. I would not suggest people use steamers at home unless they know how to use it correctly. They’re useful, but I would say, use with caution and use with knowledge,” says Dr. Garries, who works with some of the biggest names in film, television, sports, and music.
Licensed esthetician and owner of Harlem Skin and Laser Clinic, Seven Brown echoes Dr. Garries’ sentiments, warning against in home steaming machines.
“Think of a steamer the same way you would think of an iron or a steamer that you’d use on your clothes. Those can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Just like you can burn or damage your clothes if you don’t know what you’re doing you can burn or damage your skin,” warns Brown.
Brown goes on to say that steaming is a part of the classic European facial process with the operative word being European.
“Hyperpigmentation is a very real thing for our skin. Steaming, and extraction doesn’t affect our skin the same way, so it’s not something we even use in our clinic. So, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll end up going to a professional to fix what you’ve messed up anyway.” So, there you have it ladies and gents.
Let us know, do you ever do at-home steam facials?
