Well just been to the gym in your locality or are you a regular or pro since years?Ever been to a spa in your locality for a daily-use massage or experienced a stayif your answer is yes my last answer will be in telling the number of benefits youhave experienced from a simple steam bath since not surprisingly a question ofits health benefits will hardly arise considering it to be a simple procedure to do!Well to start with it boosts your immunity as during a steam bath an artificial feveris induced which will kill all the bacterial pathogens and viruses present on theskin surface and in the body explains Dermatologist Dr Deepali Bhardwaj. Sosometimes flu to even pneumonias get prevented by this and in addition, thegeneration of antibodies speed up, as does interferon level increases which is apowerful anti-viral protein and acts against cancer cells. Since steam baths is thesimplest procedure to cause profuse sweating for the complete body it helps getrid off all the waste products and toxins in the body that’s why after a massage itis mandatory so as to eliminate all the toxins dislodged by the therapist.Interestingly, this is proven by the fact that when a heavy smoker sits in a steambath a yellow color residue is seen on skin and towels after it!And of course something we have all experienced which makes us go back for asteam bath regularly is relaxation which occurs because the steam penetratesyour entire skin surface and eases the tired muscles from head to toe, helpingUs feel calm and destressed aiding in a goodnight sleep says Dr Bhardwaj!

And lastly something very important it aids in better circulation. Benefits of bettercirculation are not something which only me as a doctor can explain but you allknow it too and if not should because its very good for your cardiovascularsystem as a good circulation increases our pulse rate without any effect on bloodpressure. So as more blood is being pumped many more nutrients get flown tothe skin , resulting in a more healthy, glowing, youthful skin. That’s why after asteam bath an immediate difference in skin is noticed.

So keeping this in mind never forget a steam bath next time! But it should beavoided by pregnant ladies and heart patients reminds Dr Bhardwaj.

How to take a steam bathStay in the steam bath

 for as long as you feel comfortable, but avoid taking thetreatment for more than fifteen minutes at a time. Stop if you feel somediscomfort.

Steam bathing is very dehydrating, so make sure you drink up. Take a couple ofglasses of water before and after the treatment to replace lost fluids. Drinkingsalted lemon water is a good option, as salt aids water retention.

Shower before entering the steam room. After the bath, cool off first in roomtemperature, and then take a warm or cold shower.

If you want to go in for another steam session, make sure your body has returnedto its normal temperature first. Do not start a second session unless you havecooled down, and in any case, do not go in for more than three sessions at atime.

Steam baths have been around for centuries, and are a common feature ofgyms, health spas and clubs. However, surprisingly little is known about thenumerous benefits steam baths offer lets sum them up says Dermatologist DrBhardwaj

Immunity

Taking a steam bath regularly helps boost your immune system. An artificialfever is induced as the body temperature rises high. This rise in bodytemperature destroys most bacteria and viruses in the body, and it stimulates theimmune system to mobilise its own forces. If a steam bath is taken at the onset ofa cold, it helps ward off potential flu. However, it will not cure a cold, although itprovides relief and opens up the nasal passage. At 106 degrees pneumococcus,a bacterium responsible for pneumonia, dies.CancerMalignant cells are also destroyed at temperatures of 106 to 110 degrees F. Inaddition, the generation of antibodies speeds up, as does the production ofinterferon, an anti-viral protein that also has powerful cancer-fighting properties.

Toxins

Steam and sauna bathing is one of the simplest and most comfortable ways torid the body of accumulated toxins as perspiration helps eliminate waste productsand accumulated toxins and a steam bath is a powerful perspiration inducer.More than common waste products are secreted through the skin. When heavysmokers sit in the steam room, a yellow residue is sometimes noticed on thetowels! Taking a steam bath after a massage helps get rid of those toxins thathave been dislodged by the massage.

Relaxation

Steam penetrates your entire body and eases tired muscles from head to toe. Italso provides relief from stress. A steam bath followed by a warm showerprepares you for a good night's sleep.

Circulation

Steam increases blood circulation. It also has cardiovascular benefits as itincreases the pulse rate without increasing blood pressure. This is because theblood vessels expand due to the heat and can accommodate the increased bloodflow. As a result many more nutrients are carried to the skin, making it healthy,glowing, soft and youthful. An immediate difference is noticed in the quality of theskin after a steam bath.

Dr Deepali Bhardwaj MD(USA.IM),DVDL,M.Phil(Cosmetology), Allergy Fellowship Munich,Germany;Cosmetic surgeries,Iran. Honorary Dermatologist at President Estate Clinic in Rashtrapati Bhawan. Clinic: D305 first floor,Defence Colony,New Delhi24www.skincareindia.inhttps://m.facebook.com/dermatdoc/https://m.twitter.com/dermatdoc/Supports: Deepanjan Charitable Trust Registered with GOI & exempted in 80G www.deepanjan.org Registered with Life Member BRICS, CII, PhD Chambers, India International Centre-IIC