A doctor has shared insights on the frequency of showering, which varies depending on your age.
Showering is a common part of the daily routine for many individuals, whether it’s to start the day refreshed or to unwind after work.
Maintaining cleanliness through regular showers is crucial for hygiene and making a positive impression.
But how often is it necessary to take a shower? Is every two to three days adequate, or should it be a daily practice?
Elizabeth Gordon Spratt, MD, provides guidance on this matter, indicating that age plays a significant role in determining the frequency of showers.
Dr. Gordon Spratt first discussed the importance of showers.
In a University Hospitals blog post, she stated: “Bathing is an important ritual for our bodies for several reasons. Throughout our daily life, sweat, bacteria, dead skin cells, and pollutants from the environment accumulate on our skin, and washing helps remove them.”
While frequent showering might seem like the best way to stay clean, it can actually lead to skin issues.
The health expert noted, “Our skin’s natural moisture helps protect it against environmental stressors. If a person bathes too often, or they use hot water or soaps with strong detergents, it can disrupt the skin’s protective natural moisturizing barrier.”
Dr. Gordon Spratt advised that adults should generally shower daily, but for those over 65, every two to three days may be more appropriate.
The reasoning is that older adults often have drier skin, and too much showering can exacerbate this condition.
She provided additional guidance on why limiting showers is beneficial.
“The maximum recommended number of showers for most people is two showers per day,” according to Dr. Gordon Spratt.
There’s also a growing trend known as ‘dark showering,’ which involves taking a shower in the evening.
Nidhi Pandya explained to Real Simple: “Unlike [an early] morning shower, which is typically bright, energizing, and focused on cleansing and awakening the body, a dark shower is a ritual for the nervous system.
“By dimming or turning off the lights, you create a sensory cocoon that signals the body to unwind.”