In many parts of the world, showering every day tends to be the norm. However, from a strictly medical point of view, it is not necessary for most people to shower so frequently. Personal hygiene is beneficial to health and most people need to shower regularly. Besides its use for routine washing and grooming, the water offers pain relief and treatment benefits in the form of hydrotherapy.
Baths, steam showers, saunas and other bathing methods can:
– improve immune function
– relieve muscle pain
– reduce swelling
– increase blood circulation
– improve concentration
– reduce fatigue
– facilitate breathing
To a lesser extent, spending time in the shower can have the same effects. The shower cleanses the skin and removes dead cells to help clear pores and allow skin cells to function. It eliminates bacteria and other irritants that can cause rashes and other skin problems. However, the main reason people take so many showers is to help them meet social standards for cleanliness and personal appearance. Following these standards helps people feel comfortable in their professional and social environment and in their bodies.
Shower according to the seasons
In most parts of Europe, due to the climate, the winters are colder and drier, while the summer is hotter and more humid.
These changing environmental conditions affect the ideal frequency of showers.
In winter, cold temperatures and indoor heating both contribute to dry skin. Many dermatologists recommend people change their bathing routine during the winter to protect against dry skin.
The following techniques can help reduce the likelihood of having dry skin:
– Reduce the duration of the shower to 5-10 minutes maximum.
– Close the bathroom door to capture the steam and increase the humidity.
– Replace hot water and soap with lukewarm water and mild cleansers.
– Use the smallest possible amount of cleanser to cleanse the skin.
– Dry the skin gently after bathing.
– Apply enough oil-based moisturizing cream or ointment within 3 minutes of showering to retain moisture in the skin.
Shower at different ages
A person’s bathing needs change throughout their lifetime.
Shower frequency for babies
The common practice of bathing babies daily is not really necessary. It is best to start regular full-body washes when babies crawl and start eating.
Shower frequency for children
Although daily bathing is safe for children ages 6 to 11, they should only shower every few days. Once youngsters hit puberty, how often they need to shower varies from person to person. Many people suggest that a daily shower is necessary at this time.
Shower frequency for teens
Many teens are very physically active, and showers are a good idea after strenuous sports or events, including swimming, weight training, and other physical activities.
Shower frequency for older adults
The once simple act of taking a shower can sometimes become more difficult for older people. Older people may not need to shower every day to maintain the level of cleanliness needed to protect their skin, prevent infection and meet general hygiene standards. Showering once or twice a week can often be enough to meet these criteria, and people can use warm washcloths in between to stay cool. Older people who can no longer wash themselves can maintain their independence by getting help from caregivers with daily activities.
Showers and work
People who work in unhygienic conditions should take a shower at the end of each working day. The type of work people do affects how often they need to shower. People who work in office jobs and spend most of their time indoors do not have the same showering needs as those who work with hazardous substances, animals, or in any job that people consider as unhygienic.
Occupations that may be considered to involve “dirty work” include:
– butcher
– caretaker
– exterminator
– minor
– garbage collector
People who work with corrosive materials, hazardous chemicals, pathogens and radioactive materials should take a shower at the end of each working day. Horticulturists, arborists, home gardeners, and anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors in contact with various plants can reduce the risk of rashes and other skin injuries by showering as soon as possible. they go inside. This will limit their exposure to plant sap, pollens and other potential allergens, reducing the risk of a reaction. A Dutch study found that showers can reduce sick days at work, but only if they are cold showers. Researchers reported that people who ended their shower with a rush of cold water for at least 30 seconds were absent 29% less time than people who didn’t.
Can you take too many showers?
Showering removes bacteria from the skin, which means it also washes away bacteria that help the body protect itself from infections. Soaps and shampoos used when showering can dry out skin and hair, leading to cracking and split ends. The speed of this phenomenon, which determines the frequency of showers, depends on the type of skin (oily or dry) and the climate in which you live. If people find their skin tight after getting out of the shower, that’s not a sign of cleanliness. Rather, it indicates that the skin is too dry.
In studies focusing on handwashing, researchers found that nurses whose hands were damaged by frequent washing and wearing gloves harbored more infectious agents than other nurses. The researchers concluded that when the frequency of washing leads to skin damage, it is counterproductive.
The shower also has a significant effect on the environment. Soaps and shampoos, not to mention added ingredients such as microbeads in some skincare products, can end up in groundwater, lakes, streams and oceans. The simple act of showering depletes vital freshwater resources.
The shower also has an impact on the environment
Although showering has physical, mental and emotional benefits, the daily shower that many people are used to taking is probably more than most people need. Showering dries skin and hair, uses up natural resources and creates an additional source of water pollution. Determining the frequency of showers involves finding the right balance between the responsible use of natural resources and what allows a person to feel good and clean, while adapting to their schedule.
The medical recommendation for meeting basic physical and sanitary needs is to shower once or twice a week. Shortening shower time to no more than 5-10 minutes reduces the likelihood of dry skin. People working in certain types of jobs and those who exercise a lot are likely to need to shower more often.
