Research shows that about two-thirds of Americans and 80% of Australians shower every day. On the other hand, in China, about half of the people surveyed admitted that they shower or bathe only twice a week.
“Perhaps the answer is: it is healthy to bathe often,” says Linda Fevraleva, a pharmacist at “Mēnes Aptiekas”. “It seems that for most people, the daily shower is more related to habit, the assumption that it is good, and not to necessity,” explains the pharmacist.
Effects on health
Normal, healthy skin is covered by a layer of sebum, “good” bacteria and other microorganisms. Scrubbing and using too much soap during washing removes this layer, especially if the water is hot. As a result:
- the skin may become dry, irritated or itchy;
- dry, cracked skin is more exposed to various bacteria and allergens, allowing skin infections and allergic reactions to occur;
- antibacterial soaps also destroy good bacteria and disrupt the balance of microorganisms, promoting the “settlement” of more resistant, less friendly organisms (more resistant to antibiotics) on the skin;
- in order to generate protective antibodies and immune system memory, our immune system needs some stimulation from exposure to normal microorganisms and other environmental factors. This is one of the reasons why some pediatricians and dermatologists do not recommend bathing children every day. Frequent washing can lower the immune system’s ability to do its job.
The pharmacist adds: “There are other reasons to reconsider your frequent washing habits. For example, the water we wash with, even in small amounts, may contain salts, heavy metals, chlorine, fluoride, pesticides and other chemicals. So, when used thickly and in large quantities, it can potentially cause some health problems.”
A reason to shower every day
People may not only consider frequent bathing to be better for their health, but may also choose to shower daily for a number of other reasons. They could be:
- concern that the body smells bad;
- a shower helps to wake up;
- a shower is a must after a workout.
“Everyone has their own reasons for washing often. Especially if you are afraid that the smell of sweat could affect personal or work relationships. However, what is considered acceptable varies from culture to culture. It must be admitted that marketing probably also has a big influence (perhaps even too much!) on how the washing habits of society are formed. Have you ever noticed that shampoo packaging says “lather, rinse, repeat”? In fact, there is no compelling reason to shampoo your hair twice in one wash, but this recommendation helps manufacturers sell more.
However, when it comes to the health effects of frequent bathing, there is no evidence that frequent bathing is better for health. In fact, it’s the other way around – a daily shower can even be harmful to your health.”
Reasons to wash less often
“Of course, a daily shower does not improve your health in any way – it can make your skin drier, oils, fragrances and other substances added to shampoos, conditioners and soaps can cause allergic reactions or other health problems. However, this is not a threat to the health of the entire society. The main evil of excessively frequent washing is the large consumption of water, which is not ecological at all. You should also keep in mind that everything – water, shampoo, soap, shower gel – costs something.”
There is no perfect recipe for how often to shower, but for most people a shower a few times a week would be enough. Of course, unless the body has become dirty and sweaty due to the specifics of the work or other circumstances. You should also pay attention to the washing time – a short washing of three or four minutes is enough.
Which detergent to choose
The pharmacist says that the first thing to remember is to reduce the duration of washing and that lukewarm water is better for the health of the skin than hot, as the natural fatty substances of the skin are lost in hot water. It should also be noted that diligent scrubbing of the skin with a sponge every time you take a shower or bath is not necessary. After washing, the flesh is dried with light touches of the towel instead of rubbing.
“In addition to the already well-known hard soaps, there is a large offer of gel or cream-type washing products, oil-type products are also available. Before choosing the right one, you should evaluate your washing habits and definitely know your skin type. If you have normal skin and it is customary (or necessary) to wash often, I recommend choosing a shower gel or cream that does not disturb the pH level of the skin and preserves the hydrolipid layer, protecting the skin from dryness. If it is already dry, the cleanser should be gentle, with moisturizing and/or skin-nourishing ingredients, such as glycerin, dexpanthenol, lipids,” explains the pharmacist and adds that owners of dry and sensitive skin should definitely not choose a cleanser with parabens, dyes , sulfates and fragrances. If you want to use a scrub as part of your skin cleansing ritual, you should choose one that gently cleanses the skin and gently removes dead skin cells, and you should not use it more than once or twice a week.
