In the modern fast-paced city, bathing has become an indispensable cleansing and stress relief ritual in people's daily life. In recent years, some medical research and opinion has begun to challenge this conventional wisdom, arguing that frequent bathing may not always be good for the body and may even be a risk for skin cancer.
1. The "double-edged sword" effect of bathing
Bathing, as an integral part of our daily life, undoubtedly has an important role in cleansing the skin and removing dirt and bacteria. Just as there are two sides to everything, bathing has its potential "side effects". Frequent and excessive cleansing strips the skin's top layer of natural moisture, leaving the skin dry, brittle, and potentially triggering multiple skin concerns.
2. The potential link between routine bathing and skin cancer risk.
Mr. Wang is a typical "cleanliness" patient, who takes a shower at least three times a day, each time with a lot of shower gel and hot water. In recent years, his skin has deteriorated, with unbearable dryness, itching and pain, accompanied by many erythematous papules. Recently, he was worried that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer.
Mr. Wang's story reflects a widespread social phenomenon. A growing body of medical research has shown a link between frequent bathing and skin cancer. While this association is not directly causal, frequent bathing may indeed increase the risk of skin cancer.
Excessive bathing can damage the skin's natural defenses. This barrier is made up of the stratum corneum, sebaceous membrane, and microbiome, which work together to maintain the health and stability of the skin. Excessive cleansing can cause this barrier to be compromised, leaving the skin fragile and sensitive.
People with fragile skin are more sensitive to UV rays and are more susceptible to damage. Ultraviolet rays are one of the main causes of skin cancer, as they can penetrate the top layer of the skin and damage the DNA in skin cells. The skin barrier is compromised, the UV attack is multiplied, and cellular health is threatened.
Frequent bathing may also affect the balance of the skin's microbiome. The skin microbiome is a complex network of bacteria, fungi and viruses that work in synergy with skin cells to build the building blocks of skin health. Over-cleansing can upset this balance, leading to an overgrowth of some harmful microorganisms, further damaging skin health.
3. How to take a bath scientifically?
Since frequent bathing may cause adverse effects on the body, how should we take a bath scientifically? Here are some suggestions:
Adjust the number of baths
According to the skin type and living habits, the number of baths should be reasonably adjusted. On a daily basis, one bath a day is enough to keep the body clean. For those with dry or sensitive skin, it is recommended to reduce the frequency of bathing.
A selection of suitable bath and skin care products
Choose a care product that matches your skin type, and stay away from irritating and high-chemical products. For those with drier or more sensitive skin, opt for gentle, moisturizing care products.
Control the water temperature
The water temperature should not be too high when bathing, so as not to damage the natural oil layer on the surface of the skin. In general, it is appropriate to control the water temperature between 37-40 degrees Celsius.
Caution moisturizing
Moisturizer or body lotion should be applied in time after bathing to replenish skin moisture and oil and keep the skin moisturized and healthy.
Avoid excessive friction
Avoid rubbing your skin excessively with tools such as bath towels or brushes that are too rough when bathing to avoid damaging the skin barrier.
To better understand the relationship between frequent bathing and skin cancer, we looked at authoritative opinions and scientific studies. Many medical experts and institutions have pointed out that while the direct causal relationship between frequent bathing and skin cancer has not been clearly proven, it is true that excessive cleaning may increase the risk of skin cancer. They suggest that people should take a healthy bath and keep their skin healthy to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
As one of the important rituals in our daily life, bathing plays an important role in maintaining skin health. Over-cleansing can disrupt the skin's natural barrier, affect the balance of the skin's microbiome, and increase the risk of skin cancer. We should take a bath scientifically, reasonably control the frequency of bathing, and choose the right toiletry products to keep our skin healthy and beautiful. At the same time, we should also be alert to various health hazards in our lives and reduce the risk of disease through a scientific lifestyle.
I'm Dr. Na, welcome everyone to like and follow, and say your views in the comment area, let's chat