Many doctors say a daily shower is fine for most people. (More than that could start to cause skin problems.) But for many people, two to three times a week is enough and may be even better to maintain good health.
While there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times per week is plenty for most people (unless you are grimy, sweaty, or have other reasons to shower more often). Short showers (lasting three or four minutes) with a focus on the armpits and groin may suffice.
In general, showering every other day or every few days is enough for most people. Keep in mind that showering twice a day or frequently taking hot or long showers can strip your skin of important oils. This can lead to dry, itchy skin.
Dermatologists recommend keeping showers relatively short (around 5-15 minutes) so you don't dry out your skin. However, if you're washing and conditioning your hair, shaving your legs, or just trying to relax and unwind, it might take a bit longer.
The average shower duration is approximately 7 minutes and the average shower volume is approximately 55 litres.
According to Shirley Chi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. Showering "once every three days is fine." If you have a skin condition, the answer is different, however.
The professional wrestler-turned-actor takes a three-pronged approach to his daily showering routine: A cold shower "when I roll outta bed to get my day rollin,' " a warm shower "after my workout before work," and a hot shower "after I get home from work," he shared with fans.
“Humans tend to perspire at night,” Dr. Goldenberg said. “When you wake up in the morning, there's all this sweat and bacteria from the sheets that's just kind of sitting there on your skin.” So take a quick shower in the morning, he said, “to wash all of that gunk and sweat off that you've been sleeping in all night.”
Ideally, when you stop sweating profusely in about 20-30 minutes you can take a shower right away. So next time you feel the urge to jump right in the shower, remember to give yourself time to dry off your sweat and cool down.
Cold showers can help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, improve circulation, lower stress levels, and reduce muscle soreness and fatigue. Hot showers, meanwhile, can improve cardiovascular health, soothe stiff joints, and improve sleep.
When to wash. Rossi generally tells his patients they should wash their hair once or twice per week. But if you've had chemical treatments that can make your hair drier — such as bleach, perms or relaxers — you might want to wash it less than once weekly to avoid breaking or brittle hair or split ends, he said.
Thankfully, most kids want to bathe daily once they hit puberty. Dermatologists tell parents that once puberty starts, kids should: Shower or take a bath daily.
In fact, bathing has been linked to improved mental health. This is because taking a warm shower can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. The body's reaction to being warm naturally relaxes your muscles and thoughts. Because of this mechanism, the risk of depressive symptoms is lower following a shower.
"Many people lose the feeling of freshness quickly after showering and feel itchy or dry because they often spend too much time in the shower, scrub too aggressively, and use harsh products," dermatologist Rhonda Klein, MD/MPH tells Bustle.
"Showering less helps strengthen your immune system by keeping disease-fighting bacteria living on your skin. It also allows us to preserve more of our microorganisms and the skin's natural oils," she says.
Cold water can help close pores, preventing dirt and bacteria from getting into the skin. Cold water can also help to reduce inflammation and redness in the skin. Cold showers can increase circulation, which gives your skin a healthy glow.
Beneficial for your hair
Finishing a shower with a cold blast can help lock moisture in your hair, while also tightening your hair follicles, meaning reduced hair loss. Additionally, cold water helps to close hair cuticles, which enables the hair to reflect light resulting in a high shine.
The Benefits of Hot Showers
“Steam or a hot bath opens up the pores and makes it easier for dirt and toxin build-up to be cleaned out, leading to reduced blemishes and clearer skin,” Dr. Green says.
"Showering for less than five minutes may not be long enough to cleanse your body, and can cause bacterial or fungal infections," she added.