2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44
There is nothing better than taking an invigorating shower in the morning to wake up completely. It is no less pleasant to take a shower before going to bed to relax a little after a hard day. However, is it worth taking a shower so often?
Many people cannot imagine their life without a daily shower. This has become a kind of norm in modern society, which is dictated by considerations of hygiene and aesthetics. But is it really necessary to shower so often and how does this affect your health?
Most people shower for hygienic and aesthetic purposes. They are confident that the shower makes them cleaner and healthier, but bacteriological research refutes this.
Elaine Larson is an infectious disease expert and associate dean for research at Columbia University.
A study back in 2004 showed that using antibacterial soaps, scrubs and other cosmetics too often does more harm than good. As a result of their application, the natural protective layer is washed off the skin, it becomes drier and thinner. This creates fertile soil for the appearance of microcracks in the skin, through which various infections and microbes can penetrate.
This view is supported by Dr. Brandon Mitchell, assistant professor of dermatology at George Washington University. He says most people shower too often.
Washing too often with various personal care chemicals robs the skin of its natural oils and can also destroy the natural immune defenses of a person.
Brandon Mitchell
We seem to have to heed this opinion, especially considering the recent scandals with widely used antibacterial agents.
How often should you actually shower? Dr. Mitchell says that when it comes to health specifically - not your appearance or smell - once or twice a week is enough. Our body is smart enough and does not need daily cleaning - rather, on the contrary, it can even harm it.
Of course, there are different situations and some people who are engaged in dirty production or engaged in manual labor need to take a shower much more often. Even so, as Brandon Mitchell advises, don't use too much detergent. Lather only the parts of your body that you get dirty, as well as the underarms and intimate areas. This will be quite enough in order to comply with hygiene requirements and not harm your health.
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