And what happens if you shower too often or not enough.

How Often Should Adults Shower?

People in the United States shower a lot.

Woman showering.

Choreograph / iStock

According to Harvard Medical School, approximately 2/3 of Americans shower daily.

Showering daily is not necessarily “unhealthy,” but you may not need to.

For many people, a full-body shower every other day or even every third day is enough.

On the days when you do not shower, use a clean washcloth to wipe yourself down.

One of the most importantpersonal hygiene stepsyou can take is washing your hands.

Proper, frequent hand washing is key for keeping yourself and your loved ones safe from illness.

Who Needs to Shower Every Day?

Your showering needs can also change throughout the year.

Wearing sweaty, moist clothes can raise your risk of getting bacterial or fungal infections, such asjock itch.

Do Teens Need to Shower Daily?

A daily shower is ideal for teens who have hit puberty.

They should also shower after swimming, playing sports, or when theyve been sweating a lot.

They also should wash their face daily, as excess oil and dirt can contribute to acne.

How Long Can You Go Without Showering?

What Happens If You Go Months Without Showering?

If dont shower for a few days, you may develop body odor.

What Happens If You Shower Too Much?

Showering too often can affect thebarrier function of the skin.

Healthy skin has a natural layer of oil and bacteria that help keep it from drying out.

This can be particularly problematic for people with skin conditions such aspsoriasisoreczema.

On the flip side, not showering enough can cause body odor, acne, and evenskin infections.

In general, showering every other day or every few days is enough for most people.

This can lead to dry, itchy skin.

Skipping showers for a long time can also cause infections, acne, and dermatitis neglecta.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ideally, shower once a day for five to 10 minutes.

This will add moisture to your skin.

Harvard Health Publishing.Showering daily – is it necessary?

American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to control oily skin.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Handwashing.

Virginia Department of Health.Unknown chemical exposure.

National Eczema Association.Eczema and bathing.

2020;15(1):41-46. doi:10.21010/ajid.v15i1.5