Cold showers create the opposite shock, triggering rapid heart rate. For most people, gentle warm water is best.Hair suffers the same way. Washing it daily removes oils that keep strands strong and flexible, which can cause brittleness or thinning. Dermatologists generally recommend shampooing just two to three times a week unless someone’s lifestyle requires more.
Over-showering may even influence immunity. Harvard Health notes that regular exposure to everyday microbes helps the body build antibodies — an idea known as the hygiene hypothesis. Being “too clean” might limit this natural immune training, which is why many pediatricians discourage daily baths for children.
Most adults do well with two to three showers a week, adjusting based on sweat, activity, and environment. Short showers focused on key areas — armpits, groin, and face — are usually all that’s needed. Sometimes, the best care for your body is simply giving your skin and immune system room to work naturally.