Pro tip: I used to steam every single face for a full 15 minutes

I learned the hard way about six months ago when a regular came in with a flare-up. Her skin was red and tight, and she said it felt worse after her last facial. I checked my notes and realized I'd been steaming her sensitive, rosacea-prone skin for the same long time as everyone else. The esthetician who trained me back in 2010 swore by that long steam, but it's way too much for some skin types. Now I cut it to 3 minutes max for sensitive clients and the results are way better. Anyone else have to unlearn an old-school technique that just doesn't fit modern skin needs?

2 comments

2 Comments

white.grant22h ago

That old-school steam rule probably wrecked more acid mantle barriers than we'll ever know.

jessicad9811h ago

My friend's mom used to steam her face with a towel over a pot of boiling water every single night. She ended up with this angry, red rash that just wouldn't go away for months. Her dermatologist said she basically cooked her skin's natural protection right off. It took a long time and a very simple routine to get her face back to normal.