7 Common Showering Mistakes That May Affect Your Health

Written by , BA Hons Indrani Karmakar BA Hons Experience: 2.5 years
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Who would have guessed that you could make mistakes even with something you do every day, like showering! Well, the consolation is that you are not alone, and trust us when we say this, a majority of people get it wrong. Be it the frequency of showering, the temperature of the water, or the towels and soap we use while showering, it is common to make mistakes with them. In this article, we have made a list of a few of the most common mistakes people make while showering. Read on to know them all!

1. Not Showering After Workout

While many people associate post-workout showers solely with addressing body odor, it’s essential to understand that there are more compelling reasons to do so. Sweating during exercise can trigger an increase in skin bacteria production, which may lead to uncomfortable rashes. Therefore, we strongly advise promptly taking a shower after your workout to mitigate these potential issues.

2. Shaving Your Legs Before Getting A Pedicure Done

Shaving Your Legs Before Getting A Pedicure Done
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Not shaving your legs before getting a pedicure is a sound practice for several reasons. Firstly, freshly shaved legs are more susceptible to irritation and small nicks, which can become problematic during the pedicure process. Additionally, open pores from shaving can make you more vulnerable to potential infections. Furthermore, pedicurists can provide better service and more precise results when working on unshaved legs as natural hair can help with grip and steadiness. Hence, refraining from shaving before a pedicure ensures a safer, more comfortable, and effective experience, leaving you with beautiful, healthy feet.

3. Not Taking Contrast Showers

Just before concluding your shower, consider turning on the cold water for a brief 30 seconds. Doing this can enhance your stress resilience, bolster your immune system, and even act as a natural mood booster. However, it’s important to keep in mind that indulging in a contrast shower right before bedtime could potentially disrupt your sleep patterns and lead to insomnia.

4. Washing Your Hair Everyday

Washing Your Hair Everyday
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Washing your hair every day might seem like the best way to maintain a fresh and clean appearance, but it’s not really true. Frequent washing can strip your scalp and hair of natural oils, leading to dryness, brittleness, and potential damage. The natural oils present in your hair serve as a protective barrier, keeping your hair moisturized and preventing it from becoming excessively dry.

Additionally, daily shampooing can disrupt the natural balance of your scalp, leading to an overproduction of oils in response to the stripping effect. This results in an endless cycle of frequent washing. To maintain healthy hair, it’s recommended to wash it every alternative day.

5. Wrapping Your Wet Hair In A Towel

Wrapping Your Wet Hair In A Towel
Image: Shutterstock

While it’s a common practice, wrapping wet hair in a towel may have unintended consequences for your hair’s health. The abrasive texture of most towels can lead to friction and damage to your delicate, water-swollen hair strands. This can result in increased frizz, split ends, and even hair breakage over time. Additionally, the weight and pressure from the towel can pull on your hair, leading to stress on the follicles and the weakening of hair shafts.

Instead of wrapping your hair tightly in a towel, it’s better to gently pat or blot your hair to remove excess moisture. You can also consider using a soft, microfiber towel or an old t-shirt, which is gentler on your hair and reduces the risk of damage.

6. Not Cleaning The Shower Head

Over an extended period of use, you may observe the accumulation of a potentially harmful residue on your showerhead. If you don’t clean them regularly, there could be an accumulation of bacteria in shower heads which could lead to potential respiratory illnesses.

7. Using The Same Towel Again And Again

Using The Same Towel Again And Again
Image: Shutterstock

Using the same towel repeatedly without washing it might transfer fungus and bacteria to your body. Towels, especially when damp, create a perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. Over time, they can accumulate dead skin cells, body oils, and other organic matter, creating an ideal breeding ground for harmful microbes. Using them to dry yourself can transfer these germs back onto your skin, potentially leading to skin issues or infections.

To maintain good hygiene and prevent the buildup of bacteria, it’s advisable to wash your towels regularly, ideally after every few uses. Also, replace them when they begin to show signs of wear and tear. This simple habit ensures that your towels remain a reliable and safe tool for personal care.

The showers we take every day contribute not only to our personal hygiene but also to our overall well-being. However, these common showering mistakes can adversely impact our health. By being mindful of these common mistakes and making simple adjustments to our shower routines, we can ensure that our showers help us stay clean, fresh, and healthy. Happy showering!

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Indrani Karmakar

Indrani KarmakarSenior Social Writer

Indrani is a writer and artist who likes to add a dash of humor to everything she does. She has two years of experience in writing articles across beauty, health, and lifestyle genres. After graduating in Political Science from Calcutta University, she took a detour into the world of creativity and discovered her knack for social writing, advertising, designing, and...read full bio

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