Dermatologist's insight on shower frequency without harming skin
Illustrative photo (Photo: Freepik)
Some take a shower every morning and evening, while others only have water procedures a few times a week. It's worth knowing how often to shower to prevent dryness, itching, and skin irritation, according to the Express website.
What will happen if you shower frequently?
Dermatologist Jenny Liu mentions that many believe frequent washing, especially with soap or gel, can strip the skin's protective layer, leading to dryness, irritation, and itching.
However, she notes that daily showers or baths are very beneficial for the skin. This is recommended for people with dry or eczema-prone skin.
Soaking in a bath also helps moisturize the outer layer and improves exfoliation.
Many people, for various reasons, are accustomed to showering daily. Some enjoy the feeling of freshness and cleanliness after a shower, while others consider it a way to wake up or relax after a tough day at work.
Best ways to cleanse the skin
A daily shower or bath without using a moisturizer can damage the skin, especially if you aggressively cleanse and use harsh soap.
The dermatologist advises the following way of cleansing the skin:
Limit water contact to less than 15-20 minutes.
Use comfortably warm water, not too hot or too cold.
Apply moisturizer to damp skin immediately after showering or bathing to help retain moisture in the outer layer and prevent additional water loss.
Cold water
Naturopath Dr. Janine Bowring recommends finishing showers with cold water.
She explains that cold helps our leptin receptors, and addressing leptin resistance is necessary to balance hormones.
Washing the hair is recommended every 2-3 days, with oily hair possibly requiring more frequent washing and dry hair less often.
Earlier, we reported on four reasons why taking hot showers in winter might not be advisable.
We also covered five body parts that everyone tends to under-wash.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
