On the third or fourth day after showering, the question of cleanliness may arise. For example, you might stare in the mirror and wonder how long it will take you if you don’t take a shower. But there’s more to a bath than just rejuvenating the body, and knowing what happens when you’re not in the shower will convince you to wash regularly.
But not so regularly – in general, experts recommend taking a shower every two or three days. “The idea that you need to shower every day to maintain personal hygiene is a social norm and habit,” dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Bahar told Houshman. , causing shock.”
If your lifestyle involves daily washing, you may want to shower more often, says family and emergency physician Dr. Jeanette Nesheivat. “If you work in an environment (such as a school teacher or health care provider), it’s best to shower daily to prevent infection and prevent the spread of infection,” she told Bustle.
Once you’ve found the shower routine that works for you, you’re good to go. But if not showering for a week has brought you suspicious changes, experts share the side effects you may experience below.
- Sweat and Bacteria will mix
Sweat itself doesn’t smell, but it mixes with the natural bacteria on the skin and creates B.O. begins to form. Unless you shower. There are two different types of sweat glands that can cause different odors: eccrine glands and apocrine glands. Eccrine glands are located all over the body and open directly on the surface of the skin, while apocrine glands are located near hair follicles in areas such as the armpits and groin.
Eccrine glands produce sweat, which helps cool you down. Also, when you are stressed, the apocrine glands secrete another fluid. Once either combines with bacteria on the skin, you can smell strong body odor, Nesheivat said. “Body odor is partly caused by gas-producing bacteria,” he says, and the longer you don’t shower, the worse it gets.
- Acne appears
There are many causes of acne breakouts, but some people may find that not showering makes their breakouts worse. This is especially true if you go to bed before cleansing your skin and sleep with all the dirt, oil, and makeup you’ve accumulated throughout the day.
“Dirty facial skin can cause congestion, large pores, blackheads, and acne,” says Nesheivat. So even if you’re really tired, you should at least clean your skin and take a normal shower the next day. The causes and types of acne vary from person to person, so if you’re not sure what to do, don’t hesitate to ask your dermatologist.
- Dead skin can build up
You shed millions of skin cells every hour. Also, if you don’t clean regularly, some parts of the dead skin can settle on the surface of the skin. The end result? Skin irritation, says pediatrician and personal trainer Dr. Aisha Muhammad. “Dead skin and sebum accumulate in the top layer of nature,” he said in a previous interview. “If not washed off, this buildup can make your skin itchy and dry.”