Lo and behold, some researchers from Columbia University just discovered what I have long suspected. Human beings in the developed world have been showering way too often, myself included.
The Dangers of Frequent Showers
Did you know that when you run hot water over your skin as often as most of us do, that is leads to cracks and dryness in your skin? These cracks allow bacteria to intrude and can even lead to infections. Apparently you skin has natural oils and healthy bacteria that fight off unwanted health problems. When we bathe every day in an environment like a shower, with blasting water hitting us, we lose a lot of these positive byproducts made by our body.
There are many doctors who have long been arguing that showering twice a week is the sweet spot. It allows you to stay hygienic and clean while not losing your healthy oils and bacteria. What’s more is that it protects your hair from losing color. Apparently, shampooing too often splits your ends and demoisturizes your scalp.
Why Showering Way Too Often Is a Habit
At some point, we all hit teenage years and enter the world of puberty. We emit these foul smelling odors and feel the need to constantly wash away this unpleasantness. Warm showers feel really great. You can shave, let conditioner sit in your hair while you think about your day, and even practice singing.
The shampoo industrial complex has convinced us that we NEED a shower everyday or else we are going to smell like a zombie who has sat out in the sun for a week. I admit it. Every time I shower, I feel like I need a full lather up and shampoo or it never happened. Because of the widespread availability of warm water, modern civilization expects that we all will shower every day.
How We Used to Live
In the 1880s, a Norwegian engineer invented the hot water heater. As late as the 1930s, Americans did not have universal access to warm water to shower with out in rural areas. This idea that everyone needs a daily warm shower is a modern Western invention.
When I travel the world, most people use showers as a way to rinse their bodies every day. When I was in Palestine, you could only take showers two to three times a week in some areas because the Israeli authorities limited water on certain days. In Mexico, only the nicer hostels I stayed at came with hot water. At first it was really hard, but then I got used to it. Apparently cold water is good for rejuvenating you. It always helped to wake up in the morning.
How Rich Are We Making Shampoo Companies?
Thanks to this habit, we make shampoo manufacturers unnecessarily rich. Even the cheap Garnier Fructis stuff usually runs several dollars. The expensive nutrient rich shampoo available in stylists’ offices can be $50, $100, or even more. Medical professionals are telling us that we should limit the shampoo practice to about two times a week, yet here I am shampooing everyday. No wonder I have had problems with dry scalp.
In 2011, shampoo sales were $1.4 billion. They are basically selling liquid soap, and have somehow figured out how to build a multi-billion dollar industry out of it. Way to go Johnson and Johnson.
A Modest, Money Saving Proposal on Showering Habits
From these recent research studies, it is clear that we are showering way too often. We waste water and run up our electric or gas heating bill by using a lot of hot water. My dad always did get on me for that. Turns out he was right.
To make optimal use of warm water showers, consider doing a full body lather up only twice per week. On the days you do not clean your whole body, wash the armpits, butt, and groin area to avoid any unpleasant odors. I am literally getting that awkward sentence straight from the Columbia University researchers.
If we all got smarter on how we showered, we could save millions of gallons of water. We would owe billions of dollars less in electric bills and showering accessories. In fact, the lower electrical usage would result in less fossil fuel emissions, thus helping save our planet as well.
Even though I am going to try to shower for shorter periods of time, I love warm water in the morning to wake me up. I am glad there is some science out there to inform me on better showering habits. I can save money, help the environment, and stay smelling nice through strategic decisions on how to best use the planets scarce resources. That said, if you ever want a guilt free hour long hot shower, go to Iceland. Their geothermal energy sources produce all the hot water you could ever want for virtually free.
Think I am dead wrong on showering less than daily? Do you believe that lathering up and shampooing twice a week instead of every time will be healthy for your hair and skin? Lemme know in comments below!