Some people think that it is not necessary to lather every day. Others say that showering every other day (or even longer intervals) is fine. Who is right and who just sucks?
It turns out that there is no single answer for how often we should shower. The good news is that dermatologists have plenty of advice we can use to determine how often we should wash, and warnings about what could happen if we go too far or don’t shower enough.
Every day if possible
How often you shower is definitely a personal thing, and how often you need to lather depends on your lifestyle and other factors. Showering can be an individualized decision. Some people do well with several weekly showers, while others do well to shower every day. The correct number for each of us can be based on:
- The level of activity. If we exercise vigorously or play sports every day, the timing of our showers should coincide. That is particularly true if we play contact sports, where we may be exposed to potential bacterial or viral infections from other players. The same goes for swimming, as the chlorine can irritate the skin if not rinsed off. However, if we are sedentary for whatever reason, showering every other day is fine.
- The job . If we are regularly exposed to dirt or chemicals at work, a daily shower makes sense. In addition, we will remove all kinds of dust or contamination that remains on the hair and skin.
- The type of skin . Dry or very sensitive skin can be irritated by more frequent showers, especially when using hot water, so it’s best to wash less per week.
- Accessibility to water . If we live in a drought-prone area and water conservation is encouraged, showering every other day instead of daily can help minimize water use. It can even come in handy when we want to save water costs.
no more than 10 minutes
Three to four minutes of washing and scrubbing is all it takes to make sure the body is completely clean. It may not even be necessary to apply soap if we are not dirty. Sometimes we feel that we would like to take several showers a day, especially in summer, but soap can cause the skin oils that keep us hydrated to be lost.
If we prefer a slightly more relaxed approach, we will try to make the shower last less than ten minutes. Spending more time could increase the risk of dry and itchy skin. In addition, it is recommended that it be with warm water, since a temperature that is too hot can favor dryness.
It is also advisable to use products that ensure skin care. In other words, gels with a neutral pH or with a good moisturizing base are recommended. If we are going to shave with a blade, it is better to do it when the pores are more open and apply a moisturizing cream when finished.
