How often to shower and change towels to avoid harming your skin
Illustrative photo (Freepik)
Many people strive for perfect cleanliness due to social norms and their own perfectionism. However, excessive efforts can harm the microbiota and health. There are certain hygiene rituals that are considered normal for the skin, citing Berezhy Sebe (Take Care of Yourself - ed.).
How often to shower
Olena Livinska, a PhD in Biology and a microbiologist, explained that there are no universal and clear recommendations that would suit everyone. Moreover, this is not just a matter of health but also of social perceptions and habits.
Many people use showering as a way to wake up in the morning.
The expert said that you can shower daily if you have a high level of physical activity, sweat significantly, or come into contact with dust, soil, and animals during the day.
In the absence of these circumstances, especially if you have dry skin, showering 2-3 times a week is quite sufficient. However, washing your face, feet, and genital area should be done daily.
To shower as effectively and healthily as possible, you should:
- Use warm, not hot, water. Standing under hot water for too long weakens the skin's barrier functions, leading to dryness and irritation.
- Try to limit your shower to 5–10 minutes. This is important for the same reasons: to avoid weakening the skin's barrier functions and preventing excessive dryness. If you shower daily, the duration can be reduced to 3-4 minutes, focusing on areas that sweat the most.
- People prone to acne, eczema, dandruff, and other skin conditions may need to shower more frequently than a few times a week.
- Use fragrance-free shower products and moisturize your skin with lotion immediately afterward.
Rules for using shower sponge
If you use a shower sponge:
- Rinse it thoroughly after each use. Make sure it dries well to prevent bacteria growth.
- Do not use the sponge after shaving to avoid skin irritation and inflammation. Never use the sponge when washing your face and genital area.
- Regularly replace your shower sponge: if you prefer natural material sponges, every 3-4 weeks; if synthetic, every 2 months.
How often to wash hair
People with oily hair may need to wash their hair daily or every other day, while those with dry or curly hair may find 1 to 2 times a week sufficient.
Children and older people tend to have less oily hair. High physical activity and the use of styling products also necessitate frequent washing.
The roots and scalp require the most cleaning, while the hair along the rest of its length is less oily and more vulnerable to washing products.
Towel replacement frequency
Bacteria multiply rapidly in damp towels after use. They break down epidermal residues and cause an unpleasant odor. Therefore, the towel should be thoroughly dried after use.
In general, the rule is to wash the towel after 3–5 uses. People with very sensitive skin (prone to irritation), weakened immune systems due to illness, or skin injuries that are still healing may need to wash towels more frequently.
Bedding
Bedding should be washed once every 1–2 weeks, depending on how much you sweat. Not only bacteria but also dust mites actively multiply in damp sheets.
They feed on the epidermis and can contribute to the development and exacerbation of dust allergies. For this reason, it’s advisable not to make the bed immediately but to allow the bedding to air out for a while.
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.
