Should You Shower Everyday? Here's What Happens If You Shower Too Much, Too Little

The frequency of showering should be based on one's health needs, lifestyle, nature of work, and preferences.

Shower Frequency

Across the US, people shower a lot. In fact, Harvard Medical School says that roughly two-thirds of Americans shower every day.

While this is not necessarily unhealthy, it may not be necessary for everyone. For several people, taking a full-body shower every other day, or maybe every third day could suffice.

However, not taking a shower daily does not mean that hygienic and personal care practices should be skipped. On days when a person does not shower, they may use a clean washcloth to wipe their body. It would also be helpful to wash one's face each night to remove sunscreen, makeup, and dirt, which can all clog pore.

Some People Need To Shower Everyday

While not everyone needs to shower daily, some are advised to do so. This is especially true if they get sweaty or dirty or are exposed to toxic chemicals or allergens at work or during regular activities.

Those advised to shower daily include animal rescue staff and volunteers, farm workers, gardeners, landscapers, funeral directors, construction workers, fitness instructors, athletes, and those who intensely go to the gym.

Though it is not necessary to take multiple showers a day, there may be cases when a person needs to take a bath more than once if they get filthy or are exposed to toxic chemicals more than once.

Showering needs could also alter throughout the year. For instance, for those who reside in areas that experience extreme heat during the summer, daily showering could be done to stay cool and clean off sweat.

Showering Too Little

The period of time a person can go without showering could vary based on daily activities, levels of sweat or dirt, and type of allergen or chemical exposure.

If one goes a few days without showering, body odor could result. Sweat, oil, and dead skin also end up building up, leading to pore clogging. This could end up triggering acne breakouts among those who are susceptible to it.

If one goes for months without bathing or showering, they may end up contracting dermatitis neglecta, which is a condition that involves brown patches of dirt, grime, sweat, and dead cells forming on the skin. It typically affects individuals who are not able to adequately keep their bodies clean due to a mental health or physical condition. It may also develop post-surgery when a patient fears or finds it painful to clean the incision site.

Showering Too Much

On the other hand, showering too much could affect the skin's barrier function. Healthy skin has a natural oil and bacteria layer that helps keep it from drying out.

When the skin is excessively exposed to water (especially hot water) and soap, the protective layer is stripped away, leading to itchiness, flakiness, and dryness. This could be quite problematic for individuals with eczema or psoriasis.

Shower Healthily

When it comes to healthy showering, there are some things to keep in mind. For one, using warm, rather than hot, water is recommended. This is due to how water can strip off the skin's protective oils.

It is also recommended to keep showers short, with five to ten minutes being the ideal time. Staying in the water for prolonged periods could dry the skin.

Individuals may also use non-dry soap and apply it to selected body areas. Moisturizing after showering is also recommended.

Check out more news and information on Medicine & Health in Science Times.