A Closer Look at Spa Equipment: The Facial Steamer

The facial steamer is an essential piece of equipment for the aesthetician. Using a facial steamer with your clients allows you the ability to use essential oils and herbs in the steaming processing, adding an additional benefit to your client.

Remember that some steamers have a wick style apparatus at the mouth of the nozzle where drops of essential oil can be placed. Other models use a container for the essential oils. These are generally more expensive models. However, the use of therapeutic herbs in the steaming process is popular with both clients and clinicians, allowing the addition of aromatherapy. It is however essential that facial steamers be maintained properly. As an example, always use distilled water in your facial steamer, never leave water in the steamer overnight, and remember that neglected steamers will spit hot water due to the mineral deposit build up that comes from daily use, making use of a plain vinegar and water cleaning solution on occasion a wise thing to do with your facial steamer.

When cleaning your steamer use two tablespoons of standard white vinegar and fill it to the top with distilled water. Turn the steamer on and let it heart to the standard steaming temperature without turning on the ozone. Let it steam for 30 seconds and ensure that it stays above the low level line. Then turn the steamer off and let the vinegar solution rest for fifteen minutes. The vinegar has a strong smell so be sure to have it in a back room where the smell won’t bother you or anyone else. Then drain it completely and refill with distilled water. Again let it operate for about ten minutes, and if the odor remains, drain and fill again, repeating the process.  Never, under any circumstances allow the facial steamer to sit overnight with the vinegar in it as vinegar is a caustic and you could cause damage to your steamer.

Just as a carpenter will take special care of his saw, or a mechanic special care of the tools he uses to make a living, an aesthetician needs to pay a great deal of attention to facial steamers as well as all other pieces of equipment. Your tools and equipment will allow you to serve your clients in the best manner possible, make them happy and leads to repeat business, which ultimately leads to success.