How often should you shower

We're all familiar with that sluggish feeling of not wanting to move from the comfort of our own beds, let alone take a shower. But is there an ideal amount of time between showers? Let’s examine what experts say about how often you should (or shouldn't) be washing up and why it might matter more than you think.

How Many Showers Per Week?

How often we shower is a personal preference, but many experts advise that it is important to shower at least once a week. Regular showers can help protect the skin from body odor and any potential infection-causing bacteria, which is especially important for those with existing skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. 

Taking a weekly shower not only benefits our physical health, but also our mental wellbeing. A hot shower can relax the body and provide stress relief from daily life. Furthermore, showering also gives us time to practice self-care and lets us go through our skincare routine if we have one. Next time you're debating how often you should be showering, try to aim for at least once per week.

How Long Should You Shower?

How often you should shower is a personal decision that can depend on the individual's lifestyle, keeping in mind energy and water conservation. How often one showers can vary from daily to several times a week and range from quick five minute washes to more lengthy thirty minute soaks. 

Regardless of how long the shower takes, it is important to ensure skin and hair are as clean as possible, both for hygienic purposes and just to feel refreshed. To ensure maximum efficiency with minimum effort, taking shorter showers but ensuring all areas of the body are properly washed can be effective. Another key factor in deciding how long to shower is environmental sustainability, as conserving water helps decrease energy bills while also preserving natural resources.

Is it OK to shower once a week?

How often should you shower? This is a common question, as it has been difficult to know what the correct answer is. Generally, people should aim to shower 1-2 times per week. Too often and it may strip away our skin’s natural oils that help keep it hydrated and healthy. 

But being too relaxed on keeping up with your hygiene routine can lead to odor and other problems due to sweat or dirt buildup. Experts recommend showering after strenuous physical activity or when you feel “dirty” from exposure to things like smoke or chemical fumes. Ultimately, listening to your body will help determine how often you should shower for best results.

What happens if you don’t shower enough?

Let's face it, we all know what happens when someone skips too many showers. In severe circumstances, not washing your hands can potentially result in bacterial or fungal diseases (think: jock itch). 

The biggest danger of under-bathing, though, is typically just a smell—you know, the kind that makes people want to stay away. The groin and vaginal region, as well as the underarms, are likely to become uncomfortable pretty quickly. In order to prevent unpleasant body odor, Dr. Sperling advises that we wash our armpits and genitalia every day.

Nevertheless, there is a simple fix for people whose skin doesn't like a daily shower but who still want to stay clean. Simply use a soapy washcloth to wipe clean the aforementioned regions on a regular basis to reduce the need for a full-body shower without compromising personal cleanliness.

Here's what a dermatologist has to say about proper bathing:

As any dermatologist will tell you, proper bathing is essential to good hygiene. How often you shower, however, comes down to personal preference. Some people may feel the need to shower several times a day while others may prefer to shower just once or twice a week. 

Everyone's individual skin type should be taken into account when deciding how often to take a bath or shower: those with combination skin types may find that it is beneficial to take a quick daily rinse with warm water combined with specific products for the needs of combination skin. 

If a person opts for weekly showers, it is recommended that they use exfoliating and moisturizing products during their wash routine in order to keep the skin from drying out too much over time. No matter what your regular bathing schedule looks like, using the right products can help promote healthy skin overall and make sure your body stays clean and glowing.