Vocal Steamers For Singers

Vocal steamers use distilled or demineralized water vapors to soothe your voice. These handy tools can provide singers and voice actors with many gigs relief from long bouts of singing and talking that can irritate their vocal cords over time.

Steamers also provide relief to anyone suffering from allergies and throat inflammation from environmental irritants like pollen and dust. 

Many singers, including pop star Ariana Grande, endorse the use of a vocal steamer.

While steamers are an innovative way to keep your voice healthy in addition to warmups and staying hydrated, there are some downsides to them that you should be on the lookout for. 

Related Post: Why Does My Throat Hurt After I Sing?

Pros Of Using A Vocal Steamer 

Most vocal steamers are portable and great for touring when you're on the road doing performance after performance.

They also tend to be pretty easy to use despite how the packaging can be intimidating. Some vocal steamers like the Mypurmist brand even come with a hands-free option for you to use while multitasking.

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Cons Of Using A Vocal Steamer 

Since vocal steamers are pretty new on the market, many of the products still have a few kinks to fix when it comes to long-term usability and features. I've had a few steamers that worked well for a month or two but then crapped out on me.

Some sellers may also overcharge for different models, especially upgrades that claim to do their job better than the last release, while customers say nothing really changed and it was a money grab. 

How Long Should You Wait After Steaming To Sing?

You will want to wait at least 30 minutes after steaming to start your singing process, especially if you will be singing for a long time. Steamers can work a bit quicker compared to the lubrication that hydration with water or tea can bring. 

Related Post: 6 Of The Best Teas For Singing

How Often Should You Use A Steamer?

You shouldn't need to use a vocal steamer for more than 10 to 15 minutes a day. While most products will say you can use it as often as needed, they will likely recommend only one 15-minute session max per 24-hour period. 

Vocal Steamers Vs. Vocal Nebulizers 

Similar to steamers, a vocal nebulizer can do wonders for your voice. Nebulizers are like steamers but are heavier duty, carrying vapors deeper into your throat.

On the downside, they can be easily overused and go too far, resulting in doing more harm than good over time. Steamers are better to use in the long run. 

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Vocal Steamers Vs. Humidifiers

Humidifiers focus more on ridding the environment of dry air that can cause a dry and irritated throat.

While humidifiers are more proven to be helpful for singers, a steamer can help with more variety of irritation causes, specifically when it comes to your vocal cords.

On the other hand, humidifiers can help with dryness all over your body and not just for your voice.

Related Post: 3 Humidifiers That Singers Can Benefit From

Conclusion

All in all, vocal steamers can be a valuable tool for singers and voice actors looking to maintain vocal health. They offer relief from the strain of extended periods of singing and talking, soothing the vocal cords with distilled or demineralized water vapors.

Additionally, steamers can provide relief for individuals suffering from allergies and throat inflammation caused by environmental irritants.

While there are some downsides to using vocal steamers, such as potential long-term usability issues and overcharging by sellers, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Many steamers are portable, making them convenient for performers on the go, and they are generally easy to use, even for beginners. Some models even offer hands-free options for multitasking.

Ultimately, incorporating a vocal steamer into your vocal care routine, alongside warmups and hydration, can help keep your voice healthy and vibrant.

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