Utah Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What condition does steam therapy primarily address?

1. It reduces inflammation

2. It provides hydration to the skin

3. It softens dead skin cells

4. It lightens skin tone

The correct answer is: It softens dead skin cells

Steam therapy primarily addresses the condition of softening dead skin cells. When steam is applied to the skin, the heat causes the outer layer of skin, known as the stratum corneum, to become more pliable and hydrated. This process enhances the effectiveness of exfoliation treatments by loosening the debris and dead skin cells that can build up on the skin’s surface. As a result, it facilitates easier removal of these cells, promoting a smoother and more radiant complexion afterward. The benefits of steam therapy also extend to increasing blood circulation, which can aid in delivering nutrients to the skin cells, but its most significant role is in preparing the skin by softening the hard outer layers.