Have you ever thought about the way you shower, how often you shower, and how long you shower? It may have not been something that concerned you in the past but by checking out this infographic on the best ways to shower, you will learn that some habits are just downright bad for you, while others may be extremely beneficial to you. Ditch the not so good habits and get that healthy hair and skin you really want!
You've got it. You've got shower power.
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Best Shower Practices for Healthy Hair & Skin
I hate to break it to you, but you may be showering all wrong. Did you know the way you shower can adversely affect the health of your skin and hair? Not to worry, experts have chimed in on best practices for your shower time.
Daily Shower Use Statistics
How Often Americans Shower:
72% once a day
16% every other day
12% more than once a day
Percentage of Daily Shower Users Around the World
Colombia/Brazil: 99%
United States: 72%
United Kingdom: 59%
China: 50%
Common Shower Mistakes
1) Avoid taking long, hot showers
Why is it bad?
Dr. Woolery-Lloyd of Specific Beauty Skincare says hot showers strip the natural oils from skin, increasing the chance of eczema and dry skin.
Extensive exposure to hot water compromises the stratum corneum (outer layer of skin) that protects your body against dangerous bacteria.
How water brings blood circulation up to your skin which creates itchy and rashy skin, according to Dr. Cynthia Bailey, a dermatologist in Northern California and founder of DrBaileySkinCare.com.
Best Practices:
Keep showers between 5 and 10 minutes at a warm/tepid temperature.
Men and women, do a quick, cold rinse at the end of your shwoer to close your pores. Cold water also helps seal your hair cuticles.
2) Avoid Rough Towel Drying
Why is it bad?
Causes skin to dry out faster.
Best Practices:
Gently pat dry with a towel and apply moisturizer or lotion to skin within 3 minutes of exiting shower.
3) Avoid Using Ultra-Lathery Shower Gels and Body Washes
Why is it bad?
Really lathery/bubbly soap is full of surfactants, which when combined with water bind to oil, stripping your skin of natural oils.
Leads to dry, itchy skin.
Best Practices:
Dr. Waldorf, director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, recommends using Dove or Olay products. Dove bar soap is the best product for men and women to use.
Use soap-free body wash (water-based instead of oil-based). Will keep your skin cleansed without drying it.
When shopping for soap, avoid these ingredients: parabens, fragrances, triclosan, synthetic colors, formaldehyde, sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate.
4) Avoid Using Loofahs and Washcloths for too long
Why is it bad?
According to Dr. Joel Schlessinger, washcloths and loofahs can harbor bacteria, mold, and yeast.
Using bacteria-infected loofahs can lead to pseudomonas follicilitis, an infection in hair follicles.
Best Practices:
Completely dry loofahs after use by taking them out of the shower.
Replace loofahs once a month or every four weeks.
Use a fresh washcloth every day. Both men and women should remember to switch out their gym towels frequently as well.
Additional Shower Tips
Shampoo
Focus the majority of shampoo on your scalp, roots, and the nape of your neck to remove dead skin, dirt, and sweat oils.
Dr. Schlessinger suggests using minimal shampoo on hair ends as they dry out easier.
Follow up your shampooing with conditioner to restore moisture to your hair.
Shaving
These shaving tips are great advice for both men and women:
Use warm water to shave and wait until the end of your shower so your pores are open and your hair is softened.
Hot water will cause hair follicles to swell and hair to break.
Use a fresh razor and thick shaving gel for best results.
Follow up with cool water and moisturizing lotion.
Exfoliating
Exfoliate your skin once a week with synthetic bead exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and dry patches..
Exfoliating your skin is one of the most important and powerful techniques you can perform on your skin in order to help with skin problems and help achieve overall healthy skin. And don't be deceived, men can exfoliate too!