Steam baths have a long history. They were most popular with the Greeks and Romans, but also had a fan base in Turkey, Russia, and other parts of Europe. A steam bath is much like a sauna, because it forces you to sweat, but it has over 100 percent humidity with a steam or light mist present at all times. Dr. Reinhard Bergel says steam baths work best when operated between 110 to 116 degrees F.
Step 1
Shower to remove any oils, dirt or lotion from your skin. Wipe makeup or moisturizers off your face. Shower at a comfortable temperature, making sure it is not too warm since you will go into the steam bath after showering. Rinse with cool water before exiting the shower to cool off your skin.
Step 2
Dry off with a towel. Check the steam bath to make sure you have a bucket of cool water inside in case you get too hot. If there is no water bucket, be sure you have access to a cool shower. You will need to alternate between the steam bath and cool showers to help open pores and detoxify skin.
Step 3
Sit or lie on a bench in the steam bath. Dr. Bergel suggests staying in the steam bath for only 15 to 20 minutes your first time. The steam increases your perspiration to try to cool down your body. Dermatologists say the increased perspiration helps detoxify your body by pushing toxins and impurities through your pores.
Step 4
Rinse off with cool water from the bucket or the shower. Sit outside the steam room until your internal body temperature returns to normal. Sip on cool water to help lower your body temperature during the rest periods and while inside the steam bath. Once your body cools, return to the steam bath for another 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat the cool rinse and steam bath cycle two to three times.
Step 5
Exfoliate your skin using a loofah. According to the Finland Steam Baths, the best time to wash and exfoliate your skin is "after several cycles of hot and cold." Finland Steam Baths recommends taking a short steam at the end of the cycles to fully open pores prior to exfoliation and cleansing for maximum benefits.
Things You'll Need
- Steam bath
- Bucket of cool water or access to a cool shower
- Towel
- Drinking water
- Loofah or other exfoliator
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