Are you showering too much?
Sometimes you can swear that showering can fix anything. Why? The shower is the best place to relax, and it’s the solution after a long day at the beach when you are dealing with a cold or when you just need to cool down and relax after a stressful day.
Generally showering is a good idea most of the time, but for all of these contexts there are a few when taking a shower is not advised, but almost no one knows about them. This might sound shocking or disgusting, but please stay with us because these reasons are pretty good, and being aware of them can save you.
The following are some special situations; they don’t happen on a daily basis, but they are so important because knowing when to take a shower and when to hold on can make a difference that will truly impact your lifestyle, making things more comfortable.
Keep reading and find all you need to know about this. Learn how to make the right choice for your health!
Right after a workout
You just had an intense workout, and your first and maybe the most natural instinct is to go and take a shower. But wait, because timing is everything! Showering too soon is not a good idea because it can interfere with your body’s natural cooling process. Also, if you wait too much, it can lead to skin issues. You need to find the sweet spot, and we are here to help you with it.
Scientists say that after a workout you should wait between 20 to 30 minutes before showering. Wondering why? The explanation is simple! Your heart needs some time to return to normal heart rate, and also your body needs to be at the base temperature. In case you jump straight into the shower, this can lead to overheating, which can later leave you feeling dizzy or fatigued.
But please remember that this is not an excuse to stay in your gym clothes for too long just because you feel lazy. According to dermatologist Dr. Neal Schultz, lingering in sweaty clothes creates the perfect environment for germs, bacteria, fungus, and yeast to thrive. And when they come into contact with your skin, this can lead to skin infections or irritating breakouts.
Just drink some water to cool down a little, and when you feel ready, go and cleanse thoroughly. Pay extra attention to areas prone to chafing or irritation, like underarms and feet, and consider using an antibacterial soap for added protection.
When you have a skin irritation
Does your skin feel itchy? Well, you might think that showering is the answer, right? But please don’t do that. Doctors advise us to skip showering, especially with hot water, if our skin is irritated because a shower can make things worse in this case.
Hot water is well known for stripping the skin of its natural oils. These oils are so important because they act as a natural barrier, and disturbing it can make some common skin issues such as dryness, eczema, hives, and sunburn even worse.
If you have a flare-up, try to skip showering and give your skin some time to repair itself. If you really need to shower, make sure your showers are short, ideally lasting between five to 15 minutes, and the water is lukewarm instead of hot.
According to the National Eczema Association once you are out of the shower you need to moisturize within three minutes of drying off in order to keep the skin hydrated properly. Use a moisturizer specifically suited to your skin condition—whether it’s a rich cream for eczema or aloe vera for sunburn—to provide targeted relief.
After a big meal
If you don’t know what is the wrong time to shower, well, this is one of them. Turns out that showering after a meal is not a good idea because it can interfere with your digestion.
According to some nutritionists, when you take a shower after a meal, the blood flow is distracted away from your stomach and intestines to your skin’s surface, and this can make you feel uncomfortable or suffer indigestion.
Do you want to avoid this? Nothing simpler! After your eat, try to wait at least 30 minutes before showering. In this way, you make sure you give your body enough time to kickstart digestion and prevent any discomfort.
If you are in a hurry, the best thing you can do is shower before eating. Also, doing this has some surprising benefits nobody talks about. For example, doing this will relax your body, reduce stress, and help your body absorb nutrients better once you eat.
So, try to time your showers around your meals, and even if this is a little change, you will see some significant results.
During a thunderstorm
This might sound like a myth, but showering when a thunderstorm is happening outside is truly dangerous because, in case of lightning strikes, this can lead to serious injuries. Yes, it’s true that this rarely happens, but if you can prevent something bad from happening, why wouldn’t you?
You might be confused about how this works because you are indoors, but this is totally possible, and we are here to explain it all. Water is a great electricity conductor, and if lightning strikes your plumbing system, this is practically a direct pathway for a lightning strike to travel.
The Cleveland Clinic highlights that about one-third of lightning injuries occur indoors, which means that it is very important to avoid contact with water, plumbing, or electrical appliances during a storm.
Wait until the storm has passed, and then you can be sure you will shower safely. If you need to clean up urgently, consider using pre-moistened wipes or dry shampoo as temporary alternatives.
After waxing
Let’s say that you’ve just had a waxing session and you feel like showering will make your skin feel better. But this is not true; your skin needs at least 24 hours to recover, and doctors advise you to wait this time before showering after waxing.
When you are waxing, the hair is removed completely, pulled out from the root, and this leaves behind the open hair follicle. These open pores are extremely sensitive, and if disturbed, can cause irritation. This is why you should not expose them to hot water.
Also, the products you use when you are washing yourself can be harsh on the open hair follicles, again making things worse. For this reason, it’s best to avoid these products immediately after waxing to allow your skin to heal naturally.
So, when you have a big event or vacation, you should plan better. Schedule your waxing session a few days in advance to give your skin the time it needs to recover. If you really need to clean yourself in those first 24 hours after waxing, you can try to stick to a gentle, lukewarm rinse and avoid scrubbing or applying any products to the waxed area.
If you need a quick solution, you can try these: XL Body Wipes for Adults Bathing No Rinse
You should also read: 5 Changes I Noticed After 30 Days Without Fast Food
