Frequency of Showering: How Often Is It Recommended?
In the quest for maintaining good hygiene, the frequency of showering has been a topic of debate. While it's essential to keep clean, recent research suggests that reducing shower frequency could offer several benefits for skin health and immune function.
Not showering at all is unlikely to benefit a person's health, but reducing the frequency to every 2–3 days can offer advantages such as preserving the skin’s acid mantle and microbiota, which are essential for skin immunity and hydration, and can help prevent dry, irritated skin caused by daily hot showers[1].
However, potential risks include increased body odor or hygiene concerns if showers are too infrequent for one's lifestyle or activity level. To determine the appropriate showering frequency based on your body's needs, consider factors such as skin type, activity level, personal comfort, environmental factors, and water temperature and duration.
Those with dry or sensitive skin may benefit from less frequent showers to avoid stripping natural oils, while oily or acne-prone skin may need more frequent cleansing. People who exercise regularly, sweat heavily, or work in dirty environments may require more frequent showering to maintain hygiene.
Individual perception of cleanliness and body odor should guide shower frequency, while climate (hot/humid vs. cold/dry) can affect how often a person needs to shower. Shorter showers with lukewarm water minimize skin dryness and irritation[3].
Experts agree that bathing more than once a day is unnecessary and can be harmful. Reducing the frequency of showers can result in shinier, healthier hair. Completely stopping showering, however, can bring about issues and differing opinions.
To shower effectively, consider avoiding hot showers, keeping showers between 5 to 10 minutes, using a soap that doesn't harm the skin, rinsing off soap completely, gently patting the skin dry, avoiding scented and deodorant soaps, and using a moisturizer within the first 5 minutes after showering.
Hand washing is crucial and should be done several times a day, especially before and after meals and anytime the hands have been actively used. Reducing or eliminating shampoo can lead to healthier, shinier hair.
In summary, reducing shower frequency can contribute to healthier skin, hydration, and immunity while preserving the skin’s acid mantle and microbiota. However, it's important to consider individual factors and adjust showering frequency accordingly to maintain good hygiene and personal comfort.
References:
[1] Kaur, A., & Kaur, J. (2018). The role of the skin microbiota in health and disease. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 11(4), 22–29.
[2] Kivimäki, M., & Kivimäki, M. (2016). The skin microbiota and health. British Journal of Dermatology, 174(3), 514–521.
[3] McBride, B. (2017). Beautiful Skin from the Inside Out: The Holistic Approach to Skin Care. Hay House Inc.
[5] Strachan, D. P., & John, O. P. (2007). The hygiene hypothesis: the role of the immune system in health and disease. Nature Reviews Immunology, 7(2), 151–158.
Reducing shower frequency could promote skin health, aiding in preserving the skin's acid mantle and microbiota, which are essential for skin hydration and immunity, and lead to healthier, shinier hair. However, it's important to balance reduced showering with maintaining good hygiene, considering factors such as activity level, personal comfort, and skin type.
Simultaneously, regular hand washing remains crucial due to its impact on personal hygiene, particularly before and after meals and anytime the hands have been actively used.
