Bathing has multiple physical and psychological benefits, but the practice can also come with some risks when it comes to how you do it.
There appears to be a clear link between showering for long periods and skin irritation. Dermatologist Emma Amoafo-Mensah, MD, explains: “Bathing for a long time in very hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils. Without these elements, the water evaporates more quickly in a process known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which can lead to To a feeling of tightness and dryness.
What can we do to protect our skin?
According to Emma, it's all about scheduling bath time.
She told the Metro website: “Many people spend a long time in the shower, and the optimal time this practice takes should not exceed ten minutes. Spending a longer time than this increases the possibility of your skin feeling dry and irritated, especially if the water is very hot and you are Prone to dry skin.
Emma also stresses the importance of hydration, saying: “When the skin is not properly hydrated, it becomes irritated and can start to itch. To stop the irritation, you need to treat the dryness with a product that can replenish and maintain moisture in the skin.
Experts do not recommend bathing daily because it does not improve health and can cause skin problems or other health problems.
Although there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times a week is excessive for most people.
There is a lot of evidence on the benefits of bathing in the evening, as many studies have found that bathing with warm water before bed improves the quality and efficiency of sleep. This effect was achieved when bathing for 10 minutes one to two hours before bed.