What are the negative effects of daily showering?

What are the negative effects of daily showering?

"We don't have to shower every day from head to toe," says Paris-based dermatologist Marie Jourdain on this question.

The doctor, a member of the French Society of Dermatology, explained that the skin is a living organ that renews and “cleans itself” in a way.

The surface of the skin is covered with a layer of water and fat, which constitutes the first protective barrier against infectious agents and pollution, indicating that this layer is also necessary to prevent dehydration.

Mary Jordan emphasized that "the skin is a system that must maintain its balance, like any other system."

And the skin should be washed if it is “inundated with aggressive factors” such as pollution or sweat. But, as a general rule, “it is sufficient to wash the areas with greasy sweat, which are more susceptible to bacterial colonization.”

On the contrary, "over-showering can cause dryness and even eczema," says Jordan.

In turn, Laurence Netter, a dermatologist and venereologist in Paris, explained that "the danger lies in changing the hydrolipidic surface layer that allows the skin to stay healthy naturally."

Therefore, dermatologists recommend focusing on the parts where microbes and sweat reside, using a minimum amount of detergents or foaming agents that attack the skin.

"If we adopt this type of hygiene and shower every two or three days, it's fine, unless we sweat a lot or exercise," said Lawrence Netter.

"This is ideal for reconciling good hygiene with healthy skin and low energy consumption," she added.

A full shower takes between 150 and 200 liters of water. Although it is often an occasion for relaxation, it is often too hot or stretched for too long, drying out the skin by upsetting the balance in the skin's composition.