Table of ContentsView AllTable of Contents"Cleaning Out" PoresPore BlockagesSteaming and AcneAcne Treatments
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
“Cleaning Out” Pores
Pore Blockages
Steaming and Acne
Acne Treatments
Facial steams are popular. You can get them at a salon or do it yourself at home. Home-use steamers are available. And you can always just use a bowl of warm water and a towel.
Facial steams feel amazing and leave your skin bright and glowing. But are they good for acne?
Some misinformation about facial steams is out there. This article looks at what facial steams actually do and what other acne treatments you should consider.
subman / Getty Images
Steams Don’t “Clean Out” Pores
You may have heard that steaming cleanses your pores. It doesn’t.
Pore blockages (calledcomedones) form when oil and dead skin cells get lodged in a pore. They become a thick, sticky substance. That’s the basis of everyblackhead, whitehead, and pimple.
Even hours of steaming won’t clear this plug or prevent new ones. That’s because comedones form deeper within the pore. Steam just billows around the surface of your skin. It never penetrates to where comedones form.
Facial steaming does have a place inskincare. It softens blackheads andnon-inflamed breakouts. That makes them easier to extract.
This is why it’s done beforeextractionsduring anacne treatment facial. Once the plug is softened, theestheticiancan coax it out with gentle pressure.
Your skin care therapist should never try to extract an inflamed blemish. It will damage the skin.
If you’re gentle and careful, you canextract some blemishes on your ownat home. However, you must exercise caution to avoid scarring, hyperpigmentation (skin discoloration), and infection.
Steaming also increases circulation. That’s what makes your skin look brighter and gives you a rosy glow (temporarily, at least).
RecapComedones form deep inside your pores. Steaming doesn’t penetrate that deep so it can’t prevent or clear up pore blockages. It does soften blackheads, though. That makes them easier to get out.
Recap
Comedones form deep inside your pores. Steaming doesn’t penetrate that deep so it can’t prevent or clear up pore blockages. It does soften blackheads, though. That makes them easier to get out.
Steaming alone won’t clear up acne. It also can’t stop new breakouts from happening. So if facial steams are your main acne treatment, you’ll always be playing catch up.
Steaming has no effect on inflamed pimples and larger blemishes like nodules and cysts. You can’t extract these large, deep blemishes no matter how much you steam your face.
For treating acne, you should use a topical treatment or oral medication.
Formild acneand blackheads, over-the-counter acne products may work. For moderate orsevere acne, you’ll need a prescription acne medication.
Effective OTC Acne Treatments
RecapSteam won’t stop acne breakouts or get rid of any large, deep blemishes. You may need topical or oral treatments, including prescription products.
Steam won’t stop acne breakouts or get rid of any large, deep blemishes. You may need topical or oral treatments, including prescription products.
Summary
Make sure you’re using proven treatments for acne and other skin problems. If you’re struggling to clear up acne on your own, talk to your healthcare provider. They can recommend products, prescribe something, or refer you to a dermatologist.
1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037Additional ReadingLavers I.Therapeutic strategies for acne vulgaris.Nurs Times. 2013;109(48):16-8.
1 Source
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037Additional ReadingLavers I.Therapeutic strategies for acne vulgaris.Nurs Times. 2013;109(48):16-8.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037
Lavers I.Therapeutic strategies for acne vulgaris.Nurs Times. 2013;109(48):16-8.
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