As we age, our skin becomes more and more fragile. It is therefore not recommended by dermatologists to take a shower every day. Here’s how often to wash after 60.
Do you really have to wash every day? This question tends to cause debate in France! Indeed, for many people it is unthinkable not to take a daily shower, yet experts agree that it is not very good for the skin to wash every day. And for good reason, this carries a risk of dryness, irritation, skin allergies or even eczema.
And older people are even more exposed to this risk. Indeed, as we age, the skin becomes more fragile and washing every day is therefore not recommended for the simple reason that it damages the skin which will have much more difficulty regenerating itself afterwards.
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Skin becomes more fragile with age
“The older you get, the more suitable it is to space out showers for the simple reason that over time, the skin dries out and is no longer able to produce as much sebum as before. Seniors have thinner, drier skin that is more tight and itchy than younger people.“, explains Dr Sylvie Meaume, dermatologist and Head of the Geriatric Wounds and Healing Department (AP-HP Rothschild), to Journal des Femmes.
The dermatologist explains that when we clean our skin with soap, we remove part of the hydrolipidic film which serves to protect the skin. This same film has a much harder time reconstituting itself with age. Furthermore, cleaning yourself with soap eliminates “good” bacteria and micro-organisms which serve to protect the skin.
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How often should you wash with soap?
Although it is therefore not recommended to wash every day, the dermatologist still warns. “Be careful of the opposite effect and do not fall into neglect of personal hygiene when we get older”. To maintain good hygiene, it is therefore essential to wash regularly but also to change clothes and underwear. Concerning the frequency of showers, the dermatologist recommends that people aged over 65 should Rinse your body every day but without using soap each time.
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Showering with soap (without rubbing the skin too hard) is recommended one day out of threewhich amounts to taking approximately 2 showers per week. For people who cannot rinse every day, it is still advisable to clean certain areas of the body daily, including the armpits, toes and private parts. For water temperature, it is better to wash with lukewarm water and avoid water that is too hot. Last tip: to dry yourself, dab your skin with a towel instead of rubbing.
Passionate about women’s news, Agathe has been deciphering the latest trends for aufeminin since 2022. Her favorite areas? Psychology, nutrition and well-being advice, without forgetting the tips…