12 shower habits that do more harm than good
There's nothing like a nice, long shower to lift your spirits. It really helps loosen you up, leaving you fresher and calmer for the rest of the day.
However, some of our shower habits can be particularly harmful to our skin. For a better and healthier showering experience, here are twelve shower habit that damage your skin, and modifications you can consider making to stop it.
It might seem simpler and more practical to wash your face in the shower, along with the rest of your body, but more often than not you're probably showering at temperatures your sensitive facial skin won't appreciate. It is advised to wash your face in lukewarm or cold water in the sink instead.
Ahh, who doesn't indulge in hot showers every now and then? Take care, though - while they certainly feel soothing, they're anything but for your skin. Hot water strips your skin of its natural defenses, and can worsen certain skin conditions. You don't need to make big sacrifices - just taking the temperature from steamy hot to warm and pleasant is a considerable difference.
Long showers are just as delightful, but the longer you're under the water, the more opportunity your skin has to dry out. Also, you're estimated to use around two gallons of water per minute - so both your complexion and your water bill would be thankful if you decide to cut your showertime short.
Bacteria love nestling and growing in warm, wet environments - like your shower-fresh loofah that just did a rigorous job of cleaning up your body. After your shower, wring out the water and hang it up to dry somewhere instead of just leaving it behind.
Take it easy, there - exfoliating is good, but you only need to do it roughly once a week. It damages your skin's natura defenses if you're busy rubbing it raw, so be gentle.
Only shampoo companies benefit from this practise - everyday washes drain away your hair's natural oils, leaving it dry and dull. If you dye your hair, all that beautiful color is getting washed down the drain as well.
Yep, the soap from the rest of your body does make its way down, but your feet need your personal attention too. If you don't make an effort to scrub between your toes, you're attracting bacteria and fungus to hop on and grow.
Razor blades can be quite pricey, so it's understandable if you want to keep using it well past its prime. But dull razors shave unevenly, which can cause nicks and leave out patches of hair. They also host bacteria, which can turn into a recipe for below-surface skin infections.
It's more than just about getting sweaty and stinky - leaving bacteria behind doesn't just give off an unpleasant aroma, it multiplies as well. That's how you grow rashes and acne.
Ever been to Scandinavian spas? If you have, you'll know how much good a quick burst of cold water can do to your body. A mere 30-second spray after a warm shower can contribute to your tolerance to stress, improve your immunte system, and give off anti-depressant effects.
Calm down, there - if scrubbing too hard in the shower is bad, rubbing yourself down straight after won't do you much good either. Pat your skin dry to avoid irritating it.
Don't skimp on your moisturizer after your shower. Lock in your skin's moisture immediately after you dry off, for that fresh and dewy glow.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
