Ashley Broadwater is a freelance writer who focuses on relationships and health topics. Passionate about intersectional body positivity, mental health and sexual health, she aims to help others have a positive relationship with their bodies, themselves and other people.
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Nothing hits quite like a hot shower — the warmth relaxes your body, the bubbly soap gets you clean and you feel like you’re mentally able to “wash off the day.” But even after decades of showering, you might still have questions about it, and that’s fair. You might have wondered whether it’sFactors You Should Consider“For most healthy adults who aren’t sweating heavily, showering every day or every other day is perfectly fine,” saida board-certified dermatologist who provides comprehensive medical, cosmetic and surgical care to patients of all ages and skin types. “If you have dry or sensitive skin, or conditions like“The bottom line is that showering habits should be personalized,” Obayomi said.Are a man, since men tend to have more active sebaceous glands and may sweat more Work in environments that are warm, smelly or unsanitary People with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or very dry skin “The bottom line is that showering habits should be personalized,” Obayomi said. “It’s about finding a balance that keeps you clean and comfortable while protecting your skin’s health.” Another key bullet point is that some body parts need more frequent attention than others — and that goes for everyone.“Regardless of full-body showering, everyone should wash their face, underarms and groin daily. These are the areas where bacteria and odor accumulate fast,” Obayomi added.How is showering “too often” a problem when showering is generally a good and necessary thing? Essentially, while skin can get dirty, it also has oils, good bacteria and microorganisms that act as a protective barrier. “Whenever we take a shower, especially if we use hot water, this layer of oil, good bacteria and microorganisms gets washed off,” said dermatologistSkin irritation that causes dry and itchy skin“To develop an ‘immune memory’ that builds up the skin’s protective barrier, our immune systems need to be exposed to other microorganisms, bacteria and foreign bodies,” Hamed said. “Showering too often can affect our body’s ability to develop that immune memory and reduce the immune system’s ability to fight foreign bodies.”“The risks come from over-washing with hot water, harsh soaps or long shower times,” she said. “This combination can strip the skin of its natural oils and disrupt what we call the skin barrier — the protective layer that keeps moisture in and irritants out.” That increases the risk of skin dryness, itching, flaking, increased sensitivity, flares of skin conditions and a higher risk of skin infections. “For those with darker skin tones, I also want to emphasize that disrupting the skin barrier can lead to increased dryness that shows up as ashiness, and chronic irritation can sometimes trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” Obayomi added. “So protecting that barrier is especially important.”Clearly, the way we shower matters when it comes to healthy skin. Dermatologists shared their tips for skin-happy showering, and some are surprising. What may feel tempting and relaxing in the shower may not be best for your skin.If your skin is red when you step out of the shower, the water was too hot. “I tell my patients the water should feel comfortable, not hot,” Obayomi said. “Hot water feels relaxing, but it strips natural oils from the skin and can cause dryness and irritation.”While a long shower can feel great after a long day of work, it’s probably best not to do it, at least too often or with hot water. They aren’t necessary to get clean, Obayomi said, and can contribute to moisture loss.Another perhaps little-known fact: You don’t need to soap up your entire body. In fact, over-soaping commonly leads to dry skin. “Focus on the areas that actually produce odor and accumulate bacteria: underarms, groin, feet and any skin folds,” Obayomi said. “The rest of your body can simply be rinsed with water.”Hamed also encouraged focusing on the sweaty, dirty parts, such as the armpits and groin area, and lathering properly with soap.After you dry off, apply moisturizer. Post-shower is also the best time to apply moisturizer, according to Obayomi, since your skin is slightly damp. She suggested a cream or ointment-based moisturizer instead of a lotion to help lock in hydration.While those tips largely apply to everyone, the answer to “how often to shower” isn’t as widely applicable. Daily might be the right frequency for you, or it may be too much.This $8 Shower Doo-Dad Has Given Me The Cleanest Hair Of My LifeRealness delivered to your inbox By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our
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