Too much hygiene kills hygiene! While it is natural to take a shower in the morning or evening to wash and relax, doing more washing can be detrimental to your health. At least for your skin. And certain skin signs are unmistakable.
Many people think that skin that “squeaks” after a shower is perfectly clean. In reality, it is often a sign that the hydrolipidic film, which naturally protects the skin, has been altered. “This thin layer of lipids plays an essential role: it limits dehydration of the skin, contributes to its microbiota and constitutes a real barrier against external aggressions. explains Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical. Discover 7 signs that your skin is under attack.
Your skin feels tight right out of the shower
Do you feel like your skin is too tight, like it’s “too small” for your body? This is one of the first signs of over-aggressive grooming.
“The skin signs of too much showering are tight skin, dryness and a lasting feeling of discomfort,” explains Dr. Gérald Kierzek.
Hot water and harsh soaps gradually strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it unable to retain enough water.
You scratch without getting a rash
Another common symptom: itching. “Itchy skin even though there are neither pimples nor an apparent allergy should suggest an alteration of the skin barrier”underlines the doctor.
When the protective film is weakened, the nerve endings become more sensitive and the skin reacts more to everyday aggressions.
Your skin becomes dry, peeling or cracked
Skin that is flaking, has small white spots or develops cracks is also a warning sign.
“We also observe redness, peeling, chapping or small cracks which appear easily, especially when showers are long, hot or carried out with aggressive soap”, specifies Dr Gérald Kierzek.
Your moisturizer is no longer enough
Do you apply your body lotion as usual, but your skin remains uncomfortable a few hours later?
“The real warning sign is when usual hydration no longer compensates for the discomfort. This usually means that the shower routine has become too harsh on the skin.”indicates the specialist.
Your skin has become more sensitive
Are your usual cosmetics suddenly tingling? Treatments that you used without problem now cause burns or redness?
Here again, a weakened skin barrier may be to blame. More permeable, the skin also becomes more reactive to the products applied.
Your eczema wakes up
In predisposed people, excessive washing can also promote eczema flare-ups.
“If redness sets in or if eczema reappears or worsens, you should reduce the frequency of showers, use lukewarm water and use a very gentle cleanser” recommends Dr. Gérald Kierzek.
Your skin “screams” after washing
Contrary to popular belief, this sensation is not synonymous with cleanliness. “Skin that creaks is often skin that has lost its hydrolipidic film”reminds the doctor.
Ultimately, this disappearance of the protective film promotes dryness, irritation and makes the skin more vulnerable to external aggressions.
What are the long-term risks?
Beyond the discomfort, too many, long and sometimes too hot showers can have several consequences.
Dr Gérald Kierzek mentions in particular chronic dehydration of the skin, an imbalance of the hydrolipidic film, but also a disruption of the skin microbiota, essential for maintaining healthy skin.
If it is too hot, the water also causes vasodilation, which can worsen heavy legs, edema or cramps in people with venous insufficiency. Finally, by relaxing the pores, it can encourage the penetration of certain microbes and increase the risk of skin infections.
How long should a shower last?
There is no ideal frequency that is valid for everyone. A person who exercises daily will obviously not have the same needs as a sedentary person with very dry skin.
On the other hand, specialists agree on one point: it is better to favor short showers.
Harvard University’s recommendations call for 3 to 4 minutes with lukewarm water, focusing mainly on the areas that sweat (armpits, feet, groin folds and private parts).
But in practice, if your skin starts to feel tight, itchy or red after a shower, it’s probably time to review your routine: cooler water, a gentler cleanser and a few minutes less under the shower head are often enough to restore comfortable skin.