Dermatology Guidelines for How Often You Should Shower

How often should we shower?

Dermatology can help us answer one of the most persistent questions for our patients, “How often should we shower?” For many, the natural assumption is that we should shower every day, at least once. The truth is that there is no magic answer, because everyone’s situation is different, but dermatology can help us determine what is best for keeping our skin healthy. As a matter of full disclosure; dermatologists don’t unanimously agree on how often you should shower.

Why do we shower?

Let’s start with the basics. The main reason that we shower is to clean our skin, wash away dead skin cells, to remove dirt and debris, and to prevent body odor. From this standpoint, we are all so different in our natural skin levels of oiliness, how often we sweat, and our daily activities and environments. For example, a librarian will have different needs from a construction worker when it comes to removal of dirt and debris. While at the same time, the librarian may have much more oiliness on their skin and scalp. Hence, the showering frequency can vary from person to person.

Dermatologist almost universally agree that showering or bathing every day is neither necessary or ideal for most people. The idea of needing to shower every 24 hours is great for soap manufacturers, but most people only need to take a few showers a week, depending upon their activities and environment. For example, fry cooks, commercial painters, and anyone who works in an odorous environment will need to shower daily. If you work out at the gym or run every day, you may want to shower every day. Naturally, the seasons and climate are a factor in our need to shower. We may need to shower every day during the hot, humid summer. Conversely, it may only be necessary for the same person to shower once every couple of days during the cold, dry winter.

Showering the right way

Even if you cannot imagine ever missing a morning shower, it is crucially important that you shower in a way that protects your skin health. Whether you shower daily or a few times a week you want to avoid destructive bathing practices. Consider the following:

• Avoid taking excessively long showers or baths that can strip away oils from your skin’s outer layer
• Keep showers at about 10 minutes and be sure to apply a skin moisturizer afterward
• Do not shower or bathe in extremely hot water
• Switch from harsh soaps to gentle cleansers that do not contain fragrances or perfumes
• You only need to lather up a few places on your body, such as your armpits and groin area
• Limit or avoid is the use of physical exfoliators

As we mentioned before, every patient is different, so it is best to consult with your Charlotte dermatologist for recommendations. The severity of aging skin depends upon several factors. If you are finding it difficult to live with your skin condition, residents in or near the South Charlotte, NC area can experience full-service dermatology, including medical, surgical, cosmetic and Mohs micrographic surgery at Metrolina dermatology. 

Dr. Sasha Haberle and her staff offers customized care for the specific treatment of patients of all ages and skin conditions. Dr. Haberle is recognized as an expert in all areas of dermatology, including medical, cosmetic, and surgical care. She is a Board-Certified dermatologist and Fellowship trained Mohs surgeon.  Call the friendly staff at Metrolina Dermatology today to schedule appointment. We welcome new patients and will help you develop a plan for cosmetic dermatology treatment for your skin.