The Benefits Of Steam Showers, Explained

If you're here, you've probably treated yourself to a steam shower. But if you haven't, you may be wondering how it's different from a regular shower. So let's get into it. Unlike traditional showers that let out a steady stream of water, steam showers emit hot steam. There are two kinds of steam showers you can have installed at home, known as prefabricated and custom. Prefabricated steam showers (also referred to as prefabs) are a complete system inserted into your bathroom as is. Custom, on the other hand, is a little more self-explanatory, created around the purchaser's specific requirements.

Of course, steam showers aren't just an at-home thing. A steam shower is pretty similar to a steam room, which is common in most spas. The biggest difference between the two is that a steam shower is usually a smaller unit (which may only have room for one or two people) while a steam room tends to be bigger with space for multiple people. Steam showers also tend to be set to lower temperatures than steam rooms, as between 110 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended by ThermaSol.

There's a common misconception that you can't get clean in a steam shower like in a regular shower, but that's not true. It's perfectly okay to get the soap out in a steam shower to get yourself clean.

Steam showers (as well as steam baths or steam rooms) can be super beneficial for the body. As longevity specialist Dr. Darshan Shah told MBGHealth, "The heat and steam can soothe nerve endings and relax muscles, potentially easing joint pain, arthritis, migraines, and headaches." You may even find a steam shower before your workout could give you better results. Dermatologist Dr. Aanand Geria pointed out to HuffPost that it's been proven to both loosen up the joints and also help with flexibility. 

There's also some research to suggest steam can help the sinuses, which may make a steam shower a go-to when you find you have a stuffy nose. "Steam helps loosen phlegm and mucus, improving congestion and breathing," internal medicine doctor Dr. Safdar Naueen explained. Physician Dr. Barbara Bawer also revealed that steam rooms or showers can also help to aid sore throats or coughs that are caused by poor drainage or congestion in the sinus. Just remember that this is an option only if you have a personal steam shower, as it's not a great idea to potentially risk contamination in a public area.

Just remember to drink plenty of fluids after a steam to avoid any adverse health risks. WebMD's chief physician editor of medical affairs, Dr. Brunilda Nazario, recommended limiting steam showers to three or four 15- to 30-minute sessions a week.

It's not only physical health benefits you can potentially expect from a steam shower, though. Some people have found regular steam showers (or paying a visit to a steam room or steam bath) can also have a positive impact on a person's mental health. "The heat from steam rooms can trigger the release of endorphins, known as 'feel-good' chemicals, which reduce stress and can leave you feeling rejuvenated," Dr. Darshan Shah told MBGHealth. Not to mention, as Dr. Barbara Bawer pointed out to HuffPost, some people simply feel more relaxed in a steam shower because they're more focused on and connected to their breathing.

It's also been proven that better sleep can help with some mental health issues, and a steam shower could potentially contribute to better sleep. A 2019 study discovered adult males who experienced anxiety and struggled to sleep managed to get better quality shut-eye after inhaling steam for 15 minutes before bed. Not to mention, the benefits of any shower can improve depending on if you do it in the morning or at night.

It's important to note, though, that steam showers may not be for everyone. Some medications may not mix with them well, so it's important to check with your doctor first if you're taking things like antibiotics. Steam showers may also not be recommended for people with heart disease, people who are pregnant, who have epilepsy, or people who drink a lot of alcohol.

Not only could regular steam showers have you feeling better on the inside, they may also have you looking better on the outside, too. That's because steam can improve the skin's appearance. One way it does that is by helping it stay hydrated. "When your skin lacks water, it appears dull with an uneven skin tone," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kim Nichols told MBGHealth. "Facial steaming dilates your skin blood vessels, which promotes healthy circulation to the skin," she added. In fact, a 2012 study found moist heat, like from a steam shower, dilates small blood vessels or capillaries to increase blood flow.

You may even find your skin feels cleaner after a steam shower over a regular one. As Dr. Barbara Bawer told HuffPost, "Heat can open up pores, and the condensation from the humidity helps to wash away dirt and dead skin as well." It works similarly to facial steaming, which we know has a range of benefits. Post-steam may be the perfect time to apply your perfume so it really lasts.

But it's important to be safe. If you're experiencing skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema, consult with your dermatologist before trying anything that could irritate the skin. You'll also want to be sparing and careful not to spill any body wash products, as you may struggle to see it due to the steam, and slipperiness could cause an accident.

It's not all about the health benefits when it comes to a steam shower. There are also some other big pluses to giving steam showers a go, including the fact that they use a lot less water than traditional showers. Not only is that better for the environment, but it could also be better for your savings in the long run if you're thinking of getting one installed at home. According to Forbes, a regular shower can use as much as two gallons of water every single minute. A steam shower, on the other hand, could take as long as 30 minutes to use that much water.

It's also worth noting though that while you'll be helping to save the environment and money in the long run, in the short term, you could potentially see more of a financial hit. Getting a prefab steam shower in your bathroom could set you back between $2,500 and $6,200, while a custom steam shower will probably be a little pricier and could cost anything between $4,000 and $15,000. But if you're ready to steam at your leisure at home, then there's no doubt a steam shower has plenty of benefits to help you look and feel your best.