So about that loofah...
You’ve
probably been showering on your own since before puberty, so you’ve got
the entire process down to a science—turn on the water, hop in, and
scrub yourself clean. Simple, right? The reality is there are a lot of
other things that happen in the 15 minutes you’re behind the curtain,
from shaving your legs to exfoliating your body.
To
make the entire process more efficient and better for your skin, there
are a few healthy shower habits to live by. The tools you use, the water
temperature, and even your choice of body wash can have an effect on
your skin. So, I asked top dermatologists to share the most common
faux-pas that occur under the shower head.
1. You’re taking extremely hot showers.
Hot
showers feel so good, but they aren’t too hot for your skin. “Hot
showers open the pores, strip the skin of natural oils, and wick much
needed moisture away from the skin,” Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, M.D.,
director of cosmetic dermatology at South Shore Medical Center, tells
SELF. Experts agree that a lukewarm shower—about the temperature of a
heated swimming pool—is better than a steaming hot spray.
2. You’re showering too often.
Hopping
into the shower two or more times a day can dry out the skin because
you’re constantly rinsing away your body’s natural oils and moisture.
Many derms even believe that once a day is too much. Unless you’re
someone who likes to work out and get sweaty
every single day, you really only need to shower a few times a week at
most, according to Marina Peredo, M.D., cosmetic and medical
board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor of
dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. If the thought of skipping a shower
makes you want to cringe, start by shortening the time you spend in the
shower by only soaping up where needed.
3. You’re using products with irritating ingredients.
You
might love your tropical, pineapple-and-mango-infused body wash, but
unless you’ve read the ingredients label, you probably have no idea
what’s really inside that bottle. As Dendy Engelman, M.D., a
board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon in NYC, explains to
SELF, many cleansers are made with fragrances, preservatives, and
sulfates that can increase the chances of irritation. This is especially
true if your skin is cracked, dry, and sensitive.
If this sounds like your
skin, look for an oil-based cleanser formulated for sensitive skin,
since the oil will help your skin retain moisture. Engelman's favorite
for the body is Avene XeraCalm A.D. Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil. For the face, try Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil.
4. You’re not filtering your water.
This
might sound like an unnecessary luxury, but, depending on where you
live, hard water could be having a negative effect on your hair and
skin. Unflitered water
can contain minerals like calcium and magnesium. “These can leave
residue on the skin and hair causing build-up, dryness, and irritation,"
says Engelman. These minerals can also make it hard for your body wash
to properly clean the skin, which can lead to dull, dry, flaky skin and
clogged pores. If you’re dealing with hard water, try T3’s Source Showerhead, which eliminates chlorine from your shower water along with dirt and unpleasant odors.
5. You’re re-using yesterday’s washcloth.
No
matter what fabric your washcloth is made of, you shouldn’t be reusing
the same washcloth two days in a row without throwing it in the laundry.
“Damp fabrics are a breeding ground for bacteria, fungus, and mold,”
explains Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical
research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. If you’re not keen on
adding even more to your dirty laundry pile, try skipping a washcloth
altogether and using your hands with a foaming body wash instead. Try Dove Foaming Body Wash or Nivea Silk Mousse Body Wash.
6. You’re leaving your loofah in your shower.
It
makes sense to store what you use in the shower in your actual shower,
right? But experts warn against this, as the hot and steamy environment
is a breeding ground for bacteria. “Using a bacteria-infested product
for exfoliation would make you more prone to infections,” explains
Engelman. “Unless your loofah is super dry in between use and bleached regularly, you are risking more damage than good.”
7. You’re overdoing it with the scrubbing.
Exfoliating
is one of those self-pampering skin-care musts. It helps get rid of
dead skin cells that sit on your skin’s surface, leaving your skin
looking dull. And, while you should certainly stick to a regimen of
exfoliating both your face and your body two to three times a week, any
more than that is overkill. “Over-exfoliation will expose below-layers
of your skin, weaken skin-barrier function and, in some cases, trigger
inflammation,” warns Engelman. “If the barrier function is damaged, skin
becomes vulnerable to infection from microorganisms, such as bacteria
and fungus, and leads to sensitivity and irritation.”
8. You’re shaving in all directions.
You
might not always have time for the perfect shave, but when putting
razor blade to skin, derms recommend trying your best to stick to
shaving in the direction of which your hair grows. “If you shave in many
different directions, you increase the chances of razor bumps,
irritation, and even ingrown hairs
because of the angle the hair was shaved off,” explains Engelman. She
explains that shaving against hair growth gives you a closer shave, but
the blunt-tipped end of hairs can grow back into the skin rather than up
and out. So, it’s best to stick to shaving in the same direction the
hair grows.
9. You’re using last month’s razor.
Most
of us become a bit too attached to our trusty razor, leaving the same
blades on for months at a time, but experts say this quickly leads to
infections like folliculitis.
Folliculitis is inflammation of the hair follicles that can be
accompanied by bacteria filled pustules. Not fun. Razors create teeny,
tiny microscopic tears in the skin. So, if you’re using a dull or dirty
one, you’re introducing all sorts of bacteria deep in there. For this
reason, it’s best to replace your razor blade between every five to
seven shaves, or once a month, depending on how frequently you shave.
10. You’re not moisturizing immediately after you shower.
Studies
have shown that moisturizing immediately after bathing gives
significantly better hydration compared to delayed moisturizing or not
moisturizing at all. This is even more important when you’ve just shaved
your legs in the shower. “Shaving is a process that involves the razor,
your hair, and your skin,” explains Zeichner. “Not properly
moisturizing afterwards can lead to skin irritation and inflammation
known as razor burn.” For this reason, he recommends a petrolatum-based
moisturizer to coat and protect the skin post-shower. The newest
generation of products come in easy-to-spread lotion formulas that are
as effective as traditional ointments, but much less greasy, like Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Lotion Unscented. There are also new in-shower moisturizers you can keep at the tub so you don’t forget this crucial step. Try Curél Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer and Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer.
11. You’re not wearing shower shoes at the gym.
Remember freshman year of college when you
showered in a communal bathroom alongside dozens of other students? You
probably (hopefully) wore flip flops to protect your feet. The same
safety precautions should be used at the gym. Any time you’re rinsing
off in a public shower, cover your feet. “Whenever a patient asks me how
they acquired their foot fungus, I always respond, ‘There is fungus
among us!’” Imahiyerobo-Ip says. Getting a foot fungus
doesn’t mean you have bad hygiene; fungus is able to live on some
people’s skin much more easily than others. This is why Imahiyerobo-Ip
always recommends using shower shoes when using a public shower to prevent the transmission of unwanted fungus or viral infections like warts.
