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A shower leaves you clean and stubble clean. However, if you also have a good before and after shower routine, you can also come out with glowing skin and shining hair. Many of us take the showering activity for granted, trying to get it done as quickly as possible. But even the minor things in your routine can affect your skin and hair looks. So here we recommend a few perfect shower routine tips that you can try to follow.
Table of Contents
Prep
Begin your shower routine before the water starts running. Before you get into the shower, start by brushing your hair and body.
If you’re going to get your hair wet, comb it beforehand. This will help to distribute the scalp’s natural oils and will remove any tangles as wet tangles are more susceptible to breakage. After brushing your hair, take another dry brush to also exfoliate your body. This will stimulate blood flow to the skin.
Choose the Right Water Temperature
Very hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils, damaging your skin and making it dry. So instead, opt for lukewarm water. This way it will still be warm enough to open up the skin pores and hair cuticles, but the temperature won’t be high enough to strip away the natural oils. There also many benefits of showering with cold water.
Keep It Short
As water tends to strip away the natural oils, showering for too long can make your skin feel dry and itchy. It’s best to keep it under 10 minutes. By keeping it short, you’re also saving water.
You also don’t have to shower every day, as it can actually do more harm than good to your skin and hair. Every other day or so is fine.
Start With the Hair
When washing your head, all the dirt from your hair will wash down your neck and shoulders. So it’s best to wash it first, so you don’t have to wash your body again after.
Start with a thorough rinse of your hair. Let the water loosen the dirt and oil and then apply the shampoo. A quarter-sized dollop of the shampoo is enough. If there’s not enough lather, just add more water.
Be sure to shampoo thoroughly so it’s evenly distributed. When scrubbing, make sure to get the roots, the hairline, and don’t forget about the back of the neck. This area is often overlooked, but that’s actually where a lot of the oil collects.
You also don’t need to lather the ends of your strands, just smooth them down when rinsing.
Use a Conditioner
Apply a little bit of conditioner on the hair don’t leave it for too long. Conditioners have an instant effect. By the time you get to this step, the water molecules will already soften your hair, so the conditioner can penetrate your hair only to a certain extent. So there’s no difference if you will leave it for longer.
Cleanse Your Body
After rinsing away the shampoo and conditioner, start washing your body. Washing yourself using just hands is fine. Loofahs and washcloths are breeding grounds for mold and bacteria. However, if you do choose to use them, remember that they are not for sharing. And to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold, make sure that they get completely dry after each use.
When choosing the cleanser, opt for a hydrating instead of traditional soap. Also, keep in mind that even though a body wash smelling like a field of lavender might seem tempting, it can have harsh ingredients. So consider using gentler cleansers.
Shaving
Don’t rush this step as you can end up with cuts and ingrown hairs. An important aspect of getting a perfect shave is having a sharp razor. So replace yours regularly and store it in a dry area in order to prevent dulling and rusting.
As for exfoliating, it’s important not to overdo it. Once or twice a week is enough.
Wash Your Face Last
The warm shower will open up your pores, so it’s better to wash the face after and not before stepping into the shower. Follow a warm splash of water with a cold one. This will help to close the pores after the wash. You can also do it after the shower at the sink so you don’t have to splash your entire body with cold water.
Exit the Shower
Finish your shower routine by patting your skin with a soft towel and immediately apply body lotion. Also, blot your hair dry, but don’t rub it. The fibers of the towel can roughen up the cuticles, making your hair frizzy.