When it comes to bathroom use, there is rarely judgment on whether you do it right or wrong. This is simply because there are no spectators. Though seemingly harmless, some showering habits can negatively impact on the health of your skin. Take a peek at the most common risky habits:
1. Using hot water
Whether it is washing just your hands or your entire body, lukewarm or cold water is the best. This is because hot water dries your skin out more than lukewarm or cold water does. Showering with hot water, therefore, increases the chances of your skin drying up and cracking.
2. Scrubbing your body too hard
While many people prefer “kangunia” (a piece of sack material) to scrub their body to its softer alternatives, this is a risky behaviour. Scrubbing your skin aggressively using a rough material removes your skin’s natural protective barrier. Use alternative soft materials such as a cotton washcloth with as little rubbing as possible.
3. Not rinsing well after a shower
Whether due to limited water to rinse up or inadequate time to do it, not rinsing well after a shower can negatively impact on your skin. The soap or the shampoo residues can lead to irritation and result in acne.
4. Rubbing your body with a towel
It is a common practice to rigorously wipe your body from head to toe with a towel especially after a shower. Though it dries one up, it ends up removing some lipids, proteins, and fatty acids that protect your skin from irritation. To avoid this, dry your body by patting it and letting the skin dry naturally.
5. Not rinsing the bar soap in between uses
Bar soap can contain pathogenic organisms such as bacteria, especially after multiple uses. It is recommended that you rinse your bar soap under running water to wash away the germs before storing it in a dry place.