Most people don’t give much thought to their shower routine; they shower when they feel dirty or have a set schedule that may include showering in the morning or at night. Some people may have a routine they go through in the shower, which includes the order of the products they use or what they wash. However, beyond those things, most people wash their bodies and hair without thinking about much else.
Unfortunately, the wrong shower routine can cause hair and skin problems. You may already know that taking a long, hot shower is bad for your skin, but other aspects of your shower, such as the order in which you use your products, can also affect your hair and skin. Believe it or not, there is a right way to shower to improve your skin and prevent hair loss and thinning. Here are tips for improving your shower routine.
Brush Your Hair Beforehand
If you have long hair, brushing it beforehand can eliminate knots without causing too much damage. Most people try to comb their hair with their hands in the shower, especially when applying products like shampoo or conditioner. However, your hair is incredibly weak when it’s wet, so it’s more likely to break or fall out in the shower.
Reduce the Heat
Long hot showers may feel relaxing, but they can remove natural oils from your hair and skin. Your skin needs these oils to stay healthy and moist, so if you have to take a long shower, it’s best to consider warm water instead of steaming hot water. Warm water can be comfortable without drying out the skin. Additionally, long showers in hot water can remove even more natural oils, so it’s best to limit the amount of hot water you use on your skin.
Shampoo Correctly
Many people shampoo their hair immediately after the shower, adding product to their heads. However, you should always rinse your hair before applying shampoo to help loosen up dirt and oil. You should also never squirt shampoo directly from the bottle onto your head because it can lead to uneven application of the product.
Instead, put the shampoo on your hands to create a lather. Then, massage your scalp with your fingertips to remove oils. Once your scalp is washed, you can move on to the rest of your hair before rinsing the shampoo off.
Condition Properly
Applying conditioner is an important step in hair care because it adds moisture to your scalp and hair while smoothing ends. Once you’ve rinsed your hair clean of shampoo, add a small dollop of conditioner to your ends. Conditioners don’t have to be left in for a long time to be effective either, so there’s no use spending more time under hot water to try to give your hair more time with the conditioner.
Many experts agree that it’s best to condition your tips, but conditioners can benefit your scalp by moisturizing it. However, if you’re prone to an oily scalp, consider only conditioning your ends by starting at the bottom and working your way up to reduce the amount of conditioner that reaches your scalp.
Wash Your Body Effectively
Many body washes can irritate dry skin and remove essential oils. Additionally, body washes filled with chemicals and fragrances can cause allergic reactions. Because everyone’s skin reacts differently to different products, it’s important to find a product that works best for you. If you’re unsure what to use, consider using a cleanser that won’t strip your body of its natural oils. Instead, cleansers remove dirt while adding moisture back to the skin.
When washing your body, always spend more time washing the areas that sweat more, including your underarms, skin folds, and feet, which are more prone to bacteria.
Don’t Over-Exfoliate
Exfoliating your skin can help remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells while smoothing its texture. However, too much exfoliation can irritate. Instead, you should only exfoliate your body with harsh products once or twice a week. Depending on the type of skin you have, you may be able to get away with exfoliating less or more often. For example, exfoliating frequently can cause further irritation if you have dry skin.
Most people exfoliate using a washcloth or loofah. However, these products can strip your skin of its natural oils while irritating it. If you have irritated or dry skin, consider using a gentle washcloth or your hand when bathing. If you decide to use a loofah, wash it after every use to remove bacteria and fungi that can grow in your bathroom.
Wash Your Face Last
Washing your face last can help remove any shampoo or body wash that may have gotten onto your skin during your shower. Products designed for the body may be harsher on your face, so it’s best to ensure you’ve washed it all away before drying off. To ensure you’ve gotten all potential irritants off your facial skin, you can also step out of the shower and wash your face in the sink with a gentle cleanser.
Washing your face last also helps your cleanser penetrate deep into your pores, removing dirt and oil that may cause acne. When you’re done washing your face, splash cold water onto it to close the pores that were opened by warm water and steam.
Pat Yourself Dry
When you step out of the shower, you might feel like you’re in a rush to dry off. However, you should always take the time to pat yourself dry rather than rub a towel on your skin. Rubbing yourself with a towel can irritate your skin, and you shouldn’t be fully dry when applying lotion and other skincare products. Of course, you should concentrate on drying a few areas that are prone to sweat and bacteria, including your underarms, skin folds, and between the toes.
Apply Lotion Twice Daily
After you’ve dried off and left your body slightly moist, you can start to apply your daily moisturizer to lock in hydration and nourish your skin. Since your pores are still open from the shower, your lotion will be more effective. After a shower isn’t the only time, you should moisturize, though. Experts recommend applying lotion twice a day to keep your skin supple and moist.
Enhance Your Shower Routine
The next time you’re in the shower, try to be more mindful of how you take care of your skin and hair. Using products in the right order and following our guide can help improve your hair and skin health to help you look and feel your best.
Ashley Nielsen
Ashley Nielsen earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration Marketing at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is a freelance writer who shares knowledge about general business, marketing, lifestyle, wellness, and financial tips. During her free time, she enjoys being outside, staying active, reading a book, or diving deep into her favorite music.
