Have you ever given thought to how often you need to shower within a week? Well according to some experts, there's a possibility that many people might be showering a lot more often than they need to. Within the last few years, the debate of how often one should shower has been popular among celebrities and social media users alike. While there isn't any scientific evidence specifying that you need to bathe or shower after a certain period of time, Dr. Angela Lamb, director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice tells Shop TODAY that it's mostly up to personal preference.
Dr. Mary Stevenson, a dermatological surgeon and associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health, shares similar thoughts. She says that how often you should shower depends on a number of factors, including skin, age, and activity level. She says, "you should be showering, bathing, or cleansing yourself every two to three days." If you're working out or engaging in an activity that makes you sweat a lot, however, you may need to shower more often.
Dr. Lamb also added that some people don't produce as much body odor as others, so from a social perspective, they may be able to get away without showering for longer. Meanwhile, other people may simply not feel the need to wash at the first smell of an odor. "A lot of how much we bathe in modern society and culture is really cultural," she explained.
More from LittleThings: Science Says You're Probably Taking Way Too Many Showers And It's Bad For Your Health
Showering too frequently can come with its own problems. It can dry your skin and disrupt your skin barrier, according to Dr. Lamb. "You can actually make yourself more prone to infection if you over-wash because the skin is protected with some really nice natural bacteria and things that protect it and you want to preserve those."
*Disclaimer: The advice on LittleThings.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
