Showering is always comforting, in the morning to start the day or before going to bed. But there are people – not just children and teenagers – who flee to the bathroom. And although it generates surprise, a study by Harvard University is revealing about how many times a week it is good to shower.
Research led by Robert H. Shmerling, a doctor at Harvard University and editor of Harvard Health Publishing, cast doubt on the benefits of bathing every day.
Risks of bathing every day
Research suggests that showering every day is more of a social norm than anything else. In addition, it warns about possible risks to our health.
The risks of bathing on a daily basis point to hygiene products.
The specialist's reference points in particular to shampoo, conditioning, gel, hair creams and other products related to hygiene that are used underwater.
According to the study, its excessive use can generate from irritations and itching to infections or allergic reactions to the skin.
Shmerling noted that daily bathing could affect the immune system and its response to certain pathogens, because absolute cleanliness would prevent the body's good batteries from working and strengthening.
"Some pediatricians and dermatologists do not recommend daily baths for children," he explains.
Nor go to the extreme of not bathing
Of course, crossing the path completely and escaping to the shower also has its negative consequences.
Bad smells, one of the consequences of the lack of bathroom.
To give some examples, mention the accumulation of dirt, grease, dryness and itching.
Spots and imperfections on the skin produced by oils such as sebum, which accumulates, bad odors by germs and about a thousand types of bacteria on the skin including fungi, which can cause diseases, are some of them, according to an article published by TwentyTwoWords.
So what would be the correct frequency? Although the study does not point to a specific number, four showers a week would suffice.
How long a shower should take
In addition, the study stressed that, in any case, showers should occur with warm water.
Also, for those who enter the bathroom and "stay to live", Harvard also manifested: the shower should not exceed three minutes in length.
On the other hand, and although it is curious, the study led by Shmerling emphasized that cleaning should focus on the groin area, genitals, armpits and feet.
The dilemma of how many times to bathe per week.
What WHO says
For the World Health Organization (WHO) the shower should not exceed five minutes and argues for several reasons.
In addition to saving water and sustainability, he agrees with the specialists that it could involve eliminating bacteria and microorganisms that protect our skin causing the appearance of dry and cracked skin.
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