ARE YOU a morning rusher who only showers for a few seconds?

If you shower for less than five minutes at a time, you may want to reconsider.

According to Abbas Kanani, a pharmacist at Chemist Click:

“In regards to how long to shower for, around 8-10 minutes is usually enough time to hydrate your skin and cleanse.

“Showering for too long (especially in a hot shower) can strip your skin of its natural oils, causing it to become dry.

“To lock in moisture after a shower, use an aqueous based cream to moisturise.”

However, if you are the type of person who jumps in and out of the shower in a matter of minutes, pay attention…

Abbas advises: “Showering for less than 5 minutes may not be long enough to cleanse your body, and can cause bacterial or fungal infections.”

Ashton Kutcher and his wife Mila Kunis recently admitted that they only bathe their children when there is apparent dirt on them.

Kutcher said: “I wash my armpits and my crotch daily, and nothing else ever.”

Despite the actor’s revelations, hygiene experts advised that you wash every area of your body on a frequent basis to keep germs at bay.

Abbas adds: “Sweat can cause fungal infections, spots and a build up of bacteria.

“You should definitely clean your feet, as accumulation of sweat can cause fungal infections if not washed.

“You should also wash your backside, to get rid of any small particles of faeces.

“Your belly button is a bit of an obscure location where moisture can cause a build up of bacteria.

“Behind the ears should also be on the list, as sebaceous glands collect sweat and release sebum, causing a build up of dirt.”

Is it necessary to wash your face in the shower?

Although it is convenient to wash your face while showering, you should be aware of the temperature of the water, as most of us will use warmer water to shower than we would at the sink.

Dr Sasha Dhoat, consultant dermatologist at Stratum Clinics, suggests: “Avoid showering in water that is too hot, which can lead to dry skin and inflammation.

“The top layer of the skin, the epidermis, has the vital function of the skins’ barrier; your body’s first defence to the outside world.

“You can think of this as a brick wall.

“Over-aggressive skin cleansing is, in fact, an act of self-sabotage, damaging this brick wall.

“If your skin is red, flaky, dry or sensitive after washing, it’s pleading with you to dial down your routine.

“This will especially be the case if the skin’s brick wall may be already compromised, for example in ageing skin, ultraviolet light damage or skin disorders such as eczema.”

What are the advantages of taking cold showers?

Although many wellness centres encourage the use of cold water to relax and enhance blood circulation, it’s not unexpected that there are over 2,000 searches about the possible benefits of cold water for our bodies every month.

Sports rehabilitator, Hannah Symes, advises: “Cold water is good for you as it increases circulation, constructing the superficial blood vessels while making the deeper one’s work a little harder to maintain an ideal body temperature.

“Mentally it helps to stimulate you, especially first thing in the morning as it gets you alert quicker than a warm shower; this can help reduce your need for caffeine intake!

“It can also help to relieve stress by dropping your cortisone levels, which is your stress hormone, leaving you feeling far more relaxed.”

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