How often should you bathe? The experts weigh
in.
Taking a daily shower
is as common as drinking a cup of morning coffee and brushing your teeth, but
it’s a habit that could be worth breaking, experts say.
Some two-thirds of
Americans shower every day. People say their daily showers help them wake up
and keep them clean, especially following exercise or exertion or in hot and
humid weather.
Two-thirds of Americans shower every day.
“When it comes to
concerns about health, however, it’s not at all clear that a daily shower
accomplishes much,” said Dr. Robert
Shmerling, clinical chief of rheumatology at Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School and faculty editor at
Harvard Health Publishing.
“In fact, a daily
shower may even be bad for your health.”
Washing and
scrubbing removes the skin’s oil and healthy bacteria, and it can
become dry, irritated and itchy.
This is particularly
true among older people, whose skin grows thinner, less
hydrated, and more sensitive. Dry, cracked skin can allow bacteria to get
through, causing infections and allergic reactions.
Dry, cracked skin can allow bacteria to get through, causing
infections and allergic reactions.
“I think showering is
mostly for esthetic reasons,” says Dr. Elaine Larson, an infectious disease expert and
associate dean for research at Columbia University School of Nursing.
“People think they’re
showering for hygiene or to be cleaner, but bacteriologically, that’s not the
case.”
Showering can break
down the skin’s acid mantle, its natural protective barrier, leaving it
vulnerable to bacterial and viral invasion.
“The skin is stripped
of natural oils and protective organisms,” said Dr. Jennifer Herrmann, a
Beverly Hills dermatologist.
“This leads to
dryness and can exacerbate many skin conditions from eczema to rosacea to
psoriasis.”
Also, some doctors
say the human immune system needs a certain amount of exposure to
microorganisms and dirt to create protective antibodies, and frequent showers
over time could be contributing to allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases and even
diabetes.
“Your body is
naturally a well-oiled machine,” said Dr.
Brandon Mitchell, assistant professor of dermatology at George
Washington University. “I think most people over-bathe. A daily shower isn’t
necessary.’
Mitchell suggested
showering or bathing once or twice a week, and experts generally say a few
times a week rather than daily is plenty.
Also, keep showers
short and lukewarm, as too much water, particularly hot water, dries out the
skin.
Showering less often
in winter makes sense, Herrmann noted.
“In the winter
months, when air is drier and indoor heaters are in full force, the skin tends
to be more dry,” she said. “Too
frequent showering worsens dryness and flares skin conditions.”
Keep showers short and lukewarm, as too much water, particularly
hot water, dries out the skin.
Giving up that daily shower might
not be so easy.
“It has become an
essential and not an optional thing to do,” said Elizabeth Shove, a
sociologist at the U.K.’s University of Lancaster who researches water
consumption practices.
“Why is it that so
many people today pour so many liters of water over themselves to remove just a
few specks of dirt, and why do so many do so on such a regular basis?
“When you think about
it, it really is very strange,” she said.
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