Health & Wellbeing
WORLD | Jan 7, 2022

Common mistakes made when bathing

Ategie Edwards

Ategie Edwards / Our Today

Reading Time: 3 minutes
(Photo: Better Homes and Gardens)

The act of bathing is something that many of us do almost everyday, so much so that it has come to the point where it is almost like second nature. But did you know that there are a few common mistakes made when taking a bath?

Bathing, practised for personal hygiene, is the washing of the body with a liquid (usually water) and an aqueous solution.

Here are a few common mistakes you might make when taking a shower.

Bathing Often

(Photo: The Guardian)

Contrary to popular belief, showering everyday is not the most ideal and healthy thing to do. Washing actually removes healthy oil and bacteria from your skin, therefore showering often can result in dry, itchy skin and allow bacteria to seep through cracked skin.

Showering for too long

Many experts say you should shower for more than 10 minutes, especially with warm water. Long showers tend to strip the skin of the moisture it needs.

Using the wrong soap

(Photo: Mental Floss)

Antibacterial soaps tend to kill a lot of bacteria including the kind our body needs. Mild soaps and soaps with added oils, gentle cleansers, or shower gels with added moisturisers are the better options for your skin. The harsh soaps tend to dry out the skin and allow bad bacteria to affect the body.

Using Soap where you shouldn’t

Soap should be limited to the armpit, groin, feet hands and face. The rest of the body does not need soap to get clean. Warm water should be used instead, this will keep your skin from getting too dry.

Soaping the whole body

Soap is designed to remove all dirt and oil. The oil which is good for your skin, is not produced in abundance on the skin on the arms and legs. It is recommended that more focus should instead be placed on areas that are oily and cause odor. This includes the face, armpits, buttocks, groin and feet.

Not cleaning towels, loofah and shower heads

(Photo: Better Homes and Gardens)

Towels

Damp towels are a no no! They are an excellent breeding ground for mold, bacteria, yeasts and viruses. Your trowel should be washed at least once a week and placed on a towel bar rather than on a hook for it to be properly dried.

Loofahs

Loofahs should replaced every three to four weeks. An early study shows that loofahs should be soaked in a diluted water mixture of 10 percent bleach one a week for about five minutes. After, it should be rinsed thoroughly with cool water, dried then placed somewhere cool to hang.

Shower Heads

The shower head is great place to house bacteria. When the water runs, the bacteria can enter the air your breathe. To clean the shower head you can put it in a bag of vinegar for a few minutes or use boiling water to sterilise it. What also helps is running the hot water for at least a minute before you step in the shower.

Moisturising

(Photo: Healthline

The best time to apply moisturiser is within a few minutes after drying off. Whether it is a lotion or cream, they help to trap moisture in your skin.

Blasting Hot Water

Hot showers don’t do too well with the skin especially with those suffering from the conditions, eczema or psoriasis. The hot water will remove the skin’s natural oils leaving you dry and itchy. Lukewarm water is the better option.

Comments

What To Read Next