There is nothing more pleasant than having a warm shower after a long day. A shower is a shower –we don’t actually need detailed instructions to tell you what is it, and how to do it, you just get in without thinking much about it, at least several times a week if not every day. But the reality is, every time you shower, you’re likely making a number of shower mistakes, which you might not know about.
Our regular shower routine isn’t something we give much thought to. You do it autopilot the way you make your coffee. Your routine could be negatively impacting your hair and skin. Showers are amazing, but it’s important to take note of the shower mistakes you’re unknowingly making as it can be harmful to the skin, and they can even lead to dryness, psoriasis, and eczema.
The benefits of bathing are discussed every now and then but mistakes that we often make taking a shower is rarely talked about. This article is all about the common shower mistakes that most of us make while taking shower. Shower time is a delightful, yet crucial moment of the day regarding your hygiene. But, regardless of how relaxing your shower time is, you may be making these common shower mistakes without even realizing.
Taking Hot Long Showers
Long and warm showers definitely help to heal any aching tension, but too much time spent in the shower can lead to skin dryness.
Long showers aren’t just bad for your water bill and the environment, they are also bad for your skin and hair. Dr. Nussbaum board certified Geropsychologist, states, “Lukewarm and short showers (5 minutes) are best to help the skin stay moisturized and supple without breaking down the skin’s barrier.” It’s easy to lose track of time once you’re under the faucet, so you can try setting an alarm. It will help save your skin and get you to work on time.
“You shouldn’t shower for more than five to 10 minutes,” says Dr. Farris, board-certified dermatologist, “Shorter is better.” Long showers strip your skin of moisture and leave your skin dry and cracking. Taking hot and long showers is one of the common shower mistakes that we make.
Bar Soaps
Another biggest yet common shower mistake is using bar soaps. Traditional bars of soap can strip the skin of oils because they are an alkaline substance. Your skin’s pH should be 5.5 and these bars have a pH of 9, which makes your skin feel dry and tight. Dr. Nussbaum’s research proved that soap causes skin’s pH to rise, which makes it acceptable to external factors like infection, allergens, and international factors such as stress and diseases. If the bars of soap are shared, they can spread bacteria. Dr. Nussbaum states, “Be sure to keep your germs to yourself and use a liquid soap if you are going to be sharing a shower.”
If you are a fan of bars, Dr. Nussbaum suggests you make sure you’re using a “beauty bar.” They are common alternatives to conventional soap and don’t have surfactants.
Washing Hair Every Day
You have probably heard this tip by now. Washing every day or many times a week is not necessary or recommended for a healthy hair. “If you have thin or delicate hair, you should avoid washing your hair too much, no more than twice a week to maintain natural hair oils,” says Andrea L. Hayden, owner of The Hair Management Group in Texas. If you have naturally curly or thick hair, you should shampoo once a week.
Excessive washing can strip off your hair and its natural oils. The more you wash it, the oilier it will become because your scalp starts to overproduce more oil to overcompensate. Dr. Nussbaum says that in general, it is unnecessary to lather, rinse and repeat unless you have an irritated scalp, work in an area of high pollution or dirt, or you use a lot of hair products.
Not Moisturizing After Showering
If you aren’t moisturizing in the shower, you need to seal that moisturizer as soon as you get out, while your skin is still damp. After you leave the shower, don’t wait to apply your lotion. Once you get out of the shower wait for a while then pat your skin dry (do not rub) and apply the moisturizer. Dr. Nussbaum says that you should be doing all this within three minutes after you turn the tap off. She explains, “You’ll seal in hydration and add to skin’s protective barrier before the water has a chance to evaporate.”
Not moisturizing once you’re out the shower is also one of the shower mistakes that you make. Make sure you apply that moisturizer!
Before you bathe, pay attention to your skin and its needs. By doing so, you will have the best skin of your life in no time. There is nothing more pleasant as taking a shower after a long tiring day. Avoiding shower mistakes can definitely make your bathing time more relaxing.
Do you have some other shower tips to share? Let us know in the comments below.