If you’re used to showering first thing in the morning, then quickly rinsing after working out, and enjoying a long hot shower before bed, you may be doing more damage to your health than you realize. Soaping up too often and spending too much time in the shower can damage skin, hair, and even affect reproductive health.
We decided to dig into the evidence for why showering multiple times a day might not be the best option.
Is it bad to take two or more showers a day?
Your hair may look oilier
Freshly washed hair looks and feels great, but washing it too often can make it greasy. Every time you apply your favorite shampoo, your scalp dries out a bit, causing more sebum to be produced in response.
If you’re in the habit of washing your hair every day, your scalp gets the message that it needs to constantly produce more oil to prevent the skin on your head from getting too dry. This, in turn, will make your hair greasy faster.
Your skin may start to feel dry.
While not showering regularly doesn’t sound appealing, soaping up often does more harm than good. Shower gel, soap, and hot water wash away healthy bacteria and essential oils from your skin.
These oils help skin stay youthful and radiant for longer, and some dermatologists even recommend bathing 2-3 times a week to prevent itchy, dry skin.
You may notice more dandruff than usual
Many shampoos claim to make your hair shiny, voluminous, and dandruff-free, but using them too often actually works the other way around. Over-washing hair can cause itching and irritation of the scalp.
This can lead to dandruff and in some cases even hair loss.
Your skin may become more sensitive
Taking a long, hot shower seems like a healthy way to stay clean and avoid those nasty germs. But exposing your body to a little bit of dirt and bacteria strengthens your immune system and helps it fight viruses more effectively.
Bathing too frequently disrupts the skin’s microbiome, causing it to become irritated, cracked, and red.
It could be more difficult to detangle your hair
Drying your hair right after your shower can give you that fresh-from-the-salon look, but making it a daily habit doesn’t do your hair any favors.
Washing your hair too often makes it dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. When your hair is weak and breaks easily, it is more difficult to brush and style.
It can affect your reproductive health
Your private parts are naturally cleansed with the flow, and using scented soaps and gels to wash them can affect your healthy pH levels.
. This, in turn, can lead to a bacterial imbalance, irritation, and even affect your reproductive health. It is best to opt for mild, fragrance-free cleansers to wash the area around your private parts.
How many baths do you take a day?