[lainey]

I remember my mom doing this when I was younger..

she had this machine thingy that made warm steam and she put her face on it.

Besides the relaxation bit...it just opens the pores doesn't it? Is that it...?

Shouldn't we wash our face afterwards since the pores are now open?

Just wondering what it really does...and if I should do this as well

[Retro-Violet]

when i do it (i put tea tree oil when i use it), i wash my face afterward. i dont know if it does anything, but it makes my face feel cleaner to me.

[Leony]

Yes, you should wash your face again with cold (not that cold) water to close the pores again.

[Kelly]

I like this too....when I do it my face feels refreshed or extra clean. I'm weird, but afterwards, I never want to put anything on my face, I feel it might upset it. I should try the splash of cool water afterwards, then a very light moisturizer.

[lavender]

They do this when I go for facial at the spa. They let steam gently hit my face for a few minutes. This helps to open the pores, and after that they would cleanse it and moisturize it.

[4getmeNot]

I do this in conjunction with a mask. I think you're supposed to put the mask on first? I'm not sure b/c I haven't done it in forever..good reminder...maybe someone else knows. It is more effective I think to do both at the same time-so have your own little spa day. It basically just opens up the pores, this way you can treat them better, like treating acne and gettin rid of plugged pores. Cold water closes them, which you should do so you don't get em dirty. I just let water boil in a pot over the stove, wrap a towel around my head, and lean down to the steam (not to close though). But I know you can buy machines that do it if that would be better for you. Don't do it more than once a week.

[beautynista]

Originally Posted by kam_621

I do this in conjunction with a mask. I think you're supposed to put the mask on first? I'm not sure b/c I haven't done it in forever..good reminder...maybe someone else knows. It is more effective I think to do both at the same time-so have your own little spa day. It basically just opens up the pores, this way you can treat them better, like treating acne and gettin rid of plugged pores. Cold water closes them, which you should do so you don't get em dirty. I just let water boil in a pot over the stove, wrap a towel around my head, and lean down to the steam (not to close though). But I know you can buy machines that do it if that would be better for you. Don't do it more than once a week.

exactly. It basically just opens up your pores...its always best to use your products after a shower or steam your face just like kam_621 described above.

This is what i do which i got from Allure magazine: boil some water and put 4 chamomile tea bags in then put a towel over your head and lean towards it for a while. Afterwards, use a scrub...and after the scrub put a mask on and just moisturize when your done. You'll feel fresh and squeeky clean!

[misholly]

Paula Begone just addressed this. This is a quote "Although I never recommend steaming the face (heat can cause spider veins to surface and create irritation), a tepid to slightly warm compress over the face can help soften the blackhead or blemish, making removal easier." You can read the full article here under Battle Plan for Getting Rid of Blackheads.

[Jennifer]

i like doing this and then using my tweezerman blackhead extractor!

[Elisabeth]

I love to gently steam my face for everything,
especially before applying my cleanser as splashing, for me,
just drives the dirt farther in. I have a special machine for it, and use warm, not hot, water. I also use it with masks, moisturizers, everything!
Then I use an ice cube to close my pores.