How to Use a Steam Shower Cubicle
There are not many comforts that can be likened to the warm embrace that hugs your body during a steam session. Steam rooms that were once confined to a gym or spa are now easily accessible for your own home in the form of a steam shower cubicle. The following points will highlight the main steps you should follow when enjoying a steam session.
Drink plenty of water
Your body will lose a lot of water while sweating. As you will be surrounded by water vapour from the steam you may not notice you are heavily sweating. It is important to drink plenty of water before you enter the steam shower cubicle to compensate for this loss. Drinking water beforehand will help reduce the risk of dehydration and feeling faint while inside the steam cubicle.
Free from food
Your body will be working hard to keep itself cool when you are in the steam shower cubicle. It is a good idea not to eat for at least one hour before entering the cubicle so that you do not over exert your body.
Preheat the steam shower cubicle
Using either the control panel or remote control you can preheat the steam shower cubicle to your desired operating temperature. Typically, the steam will cut-off when the timer counts down to 0 minutes. Therefore, make sure you have plenty of time left on the timer in order for the cubicle to reach your preferred temperature. A good temperature for a steam session is 43-49C, although this can vary and you can enter at an earlier stage before this temperature is reached. The warm up time will depend on the power of the steam generator, starting room temperature, target temperature and the size of the steam shower cubicle.
Remove all jewellery and clothes
As with a standard shower you should remove all clothes when having a steam session. The pores of your skin will open during your steam session. To eliminate the risk of your skin absorbing any metals it is advisable to remove all jewellery.
Enter the steam shower cubicle
Enter the cubicle and quickly close the door to minimise steam escape. Some people prefer to have a quick shower down before they commence the steam session so they can wash off the skin's surface. At this stage you should reset the timer to your preferred session length. This may be about 15-30 minutes. However, please consult your doctor to check whether any health concerns may limit your use of a steam shower cubicle.
Sit & listen
A steam shower cubicle should come supplied with a bench or seat so you can sit down and relax during your steam session. You can also select a radio station or perhaps an external CD/MP3 player to listen to while you detoxify.
Aromatherapy oils
Typically, located next to or near the steam outlet is an inlet for aromatherapy oils. Aromatherapy is the use of plant extracts in the form of essential oils that can effect your emotions and sense of well-being. Aromatherapy can also help clear your airways, relax your mind or refresh your body. Simply add about 5-8 drops into the aromatherapy inlet. The fragrances will then fill the steam shower cubicle.
Wash off your skin
When the session timer reaches zero the steam should automatically shut-off. You should use the overhead shower or handheld shower inside the steam shower cubicle to wash off the sweat from your skin. This will wash away any impurities that have been released during your session.
Replenish Fluids
To finish you should dry off your body and replenish any fluids that were lost during your steam session. Your body will gradually cool back down.
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