Showering removes sweat, oil, dirt, and bacteria that accumulate on the skin throughout the day. However, the timing of your shower can offer different benefits.
Morning shower advocates find it invigorating, providing a refreshing start to the day. Conversely, those who shower at night feel it cleanses them of the day's accumulated dirt.
According to microbiologist Primrose Freestone at the University of Leicester (UK), even with an evening shower, the body still perspires about half a liter and sheds 50,000 dead skin cells overnight. This creates a humid environment conducive to bacterial growth, leading to body odor.
"So, showering at night may still leave you with some odor by morning," Freestone notes.
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Illustration: Pexels |
Illustration: Pexels
A meta-analysis of 13 studies revealed that a 10-minute warm shower one or two hours before bed promotes better sleep. However, Holly Wilkinson, a senior lecturer at the University of Hull (UK), suggests that the benefits of a nighttime shower are only valid if you change your bed linens regularly. Bacteria, dust mites, and fungi can accumulate on sheets, blankets, and pillows for weeks.
"Cleaning your bedding is more important than showering in the evening," Wilkinson states. He cites that up to 76% of people with severe asthma are allergic to at least one type of fungus. Among them, the saprophytic fungus *Aspergillus fumigatus*, prevalent in the natural environment, particularly in soil, organic waste, or dusty air, can cause chronic lung disease.
Wilkinson prefers morning showers as this routine removes sweat and bacteria accumulated overnight, leaving the body clean and refreshed for the day ahead.
Both experts agree, however, that the timing is less crucial than the act of showering itself. "It also depends on your occupation. For example, if you're a farmer, you'd probably want to shower when you get home at the end of the day," Wilkinson concludes.
In reality, as long as key areas are washed daily, showering the entire body twice a week is likely sufficient for maintaining hygiene and health.
Thanh Thanh (BBC)
