Time

• You need enough time within a steam bath for it to actually do its work to open up the pores, yet not dehydrate your body and your skin. The maximum recommended time to be in the steam bath is 15 minutes, though it varies for different people and their ability to sweat. When sweat begins to drip off of you, you should probably only stay in the steam bath for another two to three minutes total, to keep dehydration from setting in. It's a fine balance between releasing all of the toxins which have built up in your system and releasing too much water to cool yourself down via your sweat, which is not good for you. If you want to stay in the steam room longer, bring water to drink to hydrate yourself and your skin.
  
  

Shower Before

• Before getting into the steam bath, take a shower and scrub your body entirely. This is integral to properly cleaning out the pores, as a shower and scrubbing will clean any excess dirt off your skin so that when you get in the steam bath, only your pores will be cleaned as they open up to the heat and steam. If that residual dirt and natural grime is still on your skin when your pores open up in the steam room, then it can get clog your pores and create pimples or other infections, as well as keeping your pores from properly secreting the toxins that have built up inside your body.
  
  

Stretch and Move

• During your steam bath try stretching or doing a light work out. This will help to squeeze even more toxins out of your pores. The quicker you blood is able to circulate around your body, the quicker it can push toxins out of the skin through sweat, enhancing the cleansing process. However, don't overdo it, as this exertion can lead to dehydration more quickly and can also cause you to slip and fall on the damp steam room floor.