I know it’s important to shower, but is there such thing as showering too often or not enough? Should you always use soap? Do I have to wash my hair very often? If you have other hygiene tips, I’d love to hear them.
Answer:
Nebraska Medicine University Health Center provider Szuhua Lambdin, APRN: You ask some great questions. Let’s break things down a bit.
How often should you shower?
It depends. For specific skin conditions, it is possible to shower too often or not enough. For instance, people who have dry skin conditions like eczema do not need to shower daily. And technique matters on dry skin, too. Instead of enthusiastic (and abrasive) scrubbing that can worsen dry skin, try gentle lathering with your hands. Skip loofahs, washcloths and exfoliating products.
However, if your skin is on the oily side, you should shower more often. If you deal with acne you should shower and wash your face daily or a couple of times a day. This will help with breakouts.
It also depends on your personal preference. If you feel better with a daily showering routine, go for it. If you would rather skip some days, that’s OK, but never go more than two or three days without washing your body with soap.
Do you need to use soap when you shower?
Yes, use soap on your groin, your armpits and your feet. These are areas that are prone to bacteria and can get smelly. Any other areas are likely good with water.
How often should you wash your hair?
When it comes to washing your hair, that is very individual. Some people need to wash their hair daily or it becomes too greasy, whereas some only wash their hair once every two weeks. When you need to wash your hair is driven by genetics, as well as the texture and thickness of your hair. For example, African American hair usually needs less frequent washing.
Other hygiene tips
The length and temperature of your shower can affect your skin as well. Don’t shower in too hot of water, and keep showers to about 10 minutes. Otherwise, you can dry out your skin.
Always put moisturizing cream (not lotion) on immediately after stepping out of the shower. This helps to lock in the moisture and rehydrate your skin. Some of the best brands are Cerave, Cetaphil and Aveeno, but there are many great ones.
You can’t train your skin or hair to be less oily or need less showering. There are instances where people have hormones that are out of alignment and, once their hormones get under control, we see improvement in their hair and skin. Otherwise, it’s hard to “train your skin.”
FAQs
It depends. For specific skin conditions, it is possible to shower too often or not enough. For instance, people who have dry skin conditions like eczema do not need to shower daily. And technique matters on dry skin, too.
Is showering everyday bad for your hygiene? ›
Yes, you could be making your skin drier than it would be with less frequent showering. This is not a public health menace. However, daily showers do not improve your health, could cause skin problems or other health issues — and, importantly, they waste a lot of water.
Is taking a shower every other day bad? ›
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Many doctors say a daily shower is fine for most people. (More than that could start to cause skin problems.) But for many people, two to three times a week is enough and may be even better to maintain good health.
Is showering every day bad for your hair? ›
Daily showering and hair washing may be ok for some people but may have negative effects on skin and hair on other people. It all depends on how your skin produces natural oils and how you react to those oils being stripped away. Take some time to experiment with your bathing frequency.
Is showering every day bad for the environment? ›
The average shower lasts about eight minutes. Since the average showerhead has a water flow of 2.1 gallons per minute, each shower uses more than 16 gallons of water! Across the United States, we use more than one trillion gallons of water each year just for showering.
Do we really need soap? ›
"What people tend to do is soap up their entire body, which is really not necessary," Stevenson says. "You really only need soap in your armpits, your groin and your feet. Places that you get stinky." Soap is a detergent and it helps to break down the top layer of oil and get it off your skin.
Is showering good hygiene? ›
Showering cleans the skin and removes dead skin cells to help clear the pores and allow the skin cells to function. It washes away bacteria and other irritants that could cause rashes and other skin problems.
What happens if you don't shower for 3 days? ›
If you don't wash your body, it makes it easier for germs that cause actual skin infections to flourish. If you didn't wash at all, dirt, sweat, dead skin cells and oil would start to accumulate, and infections or ongoing skin conditions can become more serious, more difficult to manage, and harder to undo.
Which country showers the least? ›
Download Table Data
| Country | People Who Take At Least One Shower Per Week | People Who Take At Least One Bath Per Week |
|---|
| Japan | 0% | 0% |
| South Africa | 0% | 0% |
| Spain | 0% | 0% |
| Australia | 0% | 0% |
9 more rowsAccording to Shirley Chi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. Showering "once every three days is fine." If you have a skin condition, the answer is different, however.
Lathering up too often and spending too much time in the shower can damage your skin, hair, and even affect your reproductive health. We at Bright Side decided to dive deeper into the evidence regarding why showering a few times a day might not be the best choice.
How long should you shower? ›
Most dermatologists say that your shower should last between five and 10 minutes to cleanse and hydrate your skin, but no longer than 15 minutes to avoid drying it out. You can still benefit from the shower length you prefer, whether long and luxurious, quick and efficient or somewhere in the middle.
What happens if you don't shower for 2 weeks? ›
According to Dr. Cook-Bolden, some of the most common side effects you'll experience include increased body odor, breakouts (like acne, boils, and abscesses), and flare-ups of skin conditions.
How often should a 60 year old woman shower? ›
Bathing once or twice a week is acceptable for older adults, as the purpose is to prevent the skin from breaking down and lower the risk of skin infections. Seniors also tend to be less active than younger adults, so they can get away with fewer baths. However, you don't want your loved one to develop body odor.
Should females take baths or showers? ›
Your personal hygiene priorities should determine whether you take a bath or a shower. If you're interested in promoting relaxation, easing fatigue, and treating chronic pain, a bath might be the right choice for you. If you're more interested in an efficient daily cleansing, a shower might be the better choice.
Is not showering a bad habit? ›
Skipping showers can lead to a buildup of bacteria and oils on the skin, which can cause unpleasant body odor and potentially contribute to skin infections. Not brushing your teeth regularly can lead to plaque buildup, tooth decay, and bad breath.
Can showering too much be unhealthy? ›
Washing removes healthy oil and bacteria from your skin, so bathing too often could cause dry, itchy skin and allow bad bacteria to enter through cracked skin. When you expose your body to normal dirt and bacteria, it actually helps strengthen your immune system. Plus, showering too often wastes water.
How often do dermatologists recommend showering? ›
Dermatologists universally agree
The idea of needing to shower every 24 hours is great for soap manufacturers, but most people only need to take a few showers a week, depending upon their activities and environment.
What do experts say about showering everyday? ›
Experts typically recommend showering several days a week. The decision is personal, but knowing your body and routine is key. Showering every day is not bad for you (yay!), and showering every other day or even a couple of times a week isn't either.
How often does the average person shower? ›
In the United States, most people bathe daily but, in other countries, many people bathe only 2-3 times per week or less.
