There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. 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.
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. Wash their face twice a day to remove oil and dirt.
Edidiong Kaminska, MD, the recommended maximum shower time is about 5 to 10 minutes. This is enough time to cleanse and hydrate the skin without overdoing it. “Our skin needs water, just like our bodies, but if we over- or under-do it, then it may have consequences,” she adds.
If you stick with daily showers, limit them to five minutes with warm water, not hot. This is likely fine for most people. However, bathing 2-3 times per week is also likely just as healthy and good for the environment too.
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.
In fact, dermatologists recommend showering in water that's lukewarm or slightly warm. Do a quick rinse to wet your skin before applying any soap. Using a loofah, washcloth, or just your hands, apply bar soap or bodywash to your body. Start at your neck and shoulders, and work your way down the length of your body.
New Moen Research explores how men and women's showering and grooming routines compare: Women take longer showers (7.2 vs. 6.3 minutes), but men shower more frequently than women.
You can enjoy both—and both have obvious appeal. “A morning shower can help shake off sleep inertia and get you going, while an evening shower can be a relaxing part of a pre-bed routine,” says Michael Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona.
Bathing advice for children over the age of 11 (or when puberty starts) Once puberty hits, daily showering is essential due to new hormones flowing through the body bringing along unwanted body odor and acne.
Tweens and teens should shower daily. (Their newly stinky pits will probably clue you in when it's time to step up their hygiene game.) They should also wash their face twice a day.
"If your skin tends not to be dry, you could extend it to every other day or so." If you take it from a certified germ expert, though, you can skip showering for as long as you wish.
Unscented body wash and soaps without added fragrance do the trick, too. Lingering in the shower for an extra minute or two after you lather up is all you need for all-day freshness. Consider giving a good rinse to all the spots that sweat the most, such as the armpits, groin, butt, and even feet.
Poor hygiene or infrequent showers can cause a buildup of dead skin cells, dirt, and sweat on your skin. This can trigger acne, and possibly exacerbate conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema. Showering too little can also trigger an imbalance of good and bad bacteria on your skin.
Doing so twice a day is generally fine for your skin and scalp, Dr. Goldenberg said, as long as both showers are quick and you don't have severe eczema or dermatitis.
When incorporated into a bedtime routine, a nighttime shower may help send your brain the signal that it is time to sleep. Showering at night also ensures you will be cleaner when you go to bed, reducing the buildup of sweat, dirt, and body oils on your bedding.
"The effect of the cold water weakens our immune system," Mahesa said. "So taking a shower at night after a whole day of activities isn't recommended. But if you get some sleep first before taking a shower, your body temperature will have adjusted. That would actually improve our blood circulation."
Not only are women (81%) more likely than men (72%) to describe themselves as very clean rather than just clean, they are also more likely to consider the tested hygiene habits very important.
How often does the average guy shower? A recent survey showed only 60% of men showered daily, then 12% of men showered more than once a day. Maybe these guys all lived in a tropical rainforest? 15% of guys showered every other day, 9% every few days, and a particularly stinky 2% showered once a week or less.
The general rule of thumb is to shower once per day, ideally at night. This rule lets you wake up clean and end your day clean. During the day, your body builds up sweat and odor, while also being exposed to air pollutants, allergens and bacteria.
All in all, a shower is actually better for your skin due to the fact that showers expose the body to less water than a bath. Whether it's a bath or a long shower, exposing your skin to too much water can strip it of its natural oils.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. 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.