Health Tip 2: Are you bathing yourself to problems? Bathe the right way!

The dos and not dos of bathing 

Did you know that you don't need to shower everyday, unless you are grimy or sweaty

According to WebMD,Washing removes healthy oil and bacteria from your skin, so bathing too often could cause dry, itchy skin and allow bad bacteria to enter through cracked skin. This can be particularly problematic for people with skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema\

When you expose your body to normal dirt and bacteria, it actually helps strengthen your immune system. Plus, showering too often wastes water. 

However, whether you are taking one shower a day or two showers a day, make sure you are washing your hands regularly, as you carry germs on your hands.

Now, back to bathing. Here are some pointers you can keep in mind when bathing, to ensure you don't develop dry skin and itching issues.

• Use warm, not hot, water. Hot water can strip the skin of its protective oils, like sebum.9

• Keep it short. Five to 10 minutes is ideal for showering. If you stay in the water too long, it can dry out your skin. 

• Use non-drying soap. Whether you prefer a bar or liquid body cleanser, choose one labeled as moisturizing to help keep your skin hydrated. 

• Use soap only on select areas of the body. Limit lathering to spots on your body that are prone to odor, like armpits, groin, buttocks, and feet.

• Be gentle. If you use a body scrub or loofah, do not scrub your skin too hard. When using a towel after your shower, pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it.

• Moisturize after showering. If your skin tends to be dry or sensitive, slather your body with a fragrance-free moisturizing cream, body lotion, or oil after you get out of the shower while your skin is still damp.

• Keep poufs and loofahs clean. Damp sponges, loofahs, and shower poufs are breeding grounds for bacteria and mildew.10 Let them air dry outside the shower and replace or sanitize them in a dishwasher at least every other month.

• Change your towels. You should change out your towels for clean ones at least once a week. More importantly, allow towels to dry completely between uses, as dampness can breed bacteria.11 Spread towels out to dry on a towel bar rather than hanging them on a hook to speed up the process.
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Source: https://www.webmd.com/beauty/shower-how-often

Source: https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-often-should-you-shower-4154629#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20showering%20every%20other,lead%20to%20dry%2C%20itchy%20skin.