How many showers should you actually take after 60? If the answer isn’t “one for each birthday candle,” you may want to sit down. Our notion that daily showers are necessary—especially as we get older—might be due for a rinse itself.
A Hot Topic: The Great Hygiene Debate
Let’s be honest: the world of shower routines is a minefield of opinions. In France, for example, it’s a social norm to wash every day. However, a number of dermatologists agree—contrary to what you might expect—that daily washing isn’t always as healthy as it’s cracked up to be. In fact, it could be downright harmful for your skin, bringing dryness, irritation, allergies, and even eczema to the party (and who invited them?).
Why Age Changes Everything
This is especially true as we get older. According to Dr. Sylvie Meaume, dermatologist and Head of the Geriatric Wounds and Healing Unit at AP-HP Rothschild, aging skin just isn’t what it used to be. The older you get, the more time you should let stretch between showers. Why? Over time, skin dries out and doesn’t produce as much sebum. Seniors end up with thinner, drier skin that feels tight and itches more than younger skin. When you wash with soap, you strip away part of your skin’s natural hydrolipid film—the very shield that’s harder and harder for your body to rebuild as you age. Plus, you wash away all those “good” bacteria and helpful microorganisms that protect your skin. Thanks, soap, but… could you please stop being so thorough?
How Many Showers After 60? The Surprising Answer
So, how should hygiene habits evolve as we walk further down the road of life—say, after age 65 or 70? Here comes the surprise: ideally, seniors should rinse their bodies every day if possible, but only use soap every three days. Yes, you read that right. That means, on average, about two showers a week with soap. If rinsing the whole body daily isn’t feasible, it’s recommended to at least wash key zones every day—namely, the underarms, between the toes, and intimate areas. (Nobody says you have to smell like a flower. Just choose your battles!)
Of course, neglecting hygiene altogether isn’t the goal—far from it. Good hygiene for seniors means:
- Regular body washing, whether it’s a shower or a bath
- Changing clothes and underwear often
- Paying special attention to vulnerable skin
Tips for Gentle and Healthy Showers
If you’re going to shower (and most of us would rather you do!), here are the dermatologist-backed, Harvard Medical School-approved recommendations for seniors:
- Say no to scalding showers: Hot water strips skin’s natural oils even faster. Stick to lukewarm water.
- Keep it short: Aim for short showers — 3 to 4 minutes is sufficient.
- Save your skin from aggressive products: Avoid anything with strong surfactants such as sulfates, polyethylenes, acids, or sodium (check those labels!). Opt for shower oils, dermatological cleansing bars, or fatty soaps.
- Be gentle: Don’t scrub; just glide over your skin and pat dry with a towel instead of rubbing vigorously.
- Adapt: All these tips should be adjusted depending on the season, the weather, your skin type, the activities you do, your health state, and your level of independence.
One last thing: just as seasons change, so should your routine. Summer sweat and winter dryness call for different approaches. Healthy hygiene isn’t about frequency alone, but also about how and what you use. Take it from the experts: sometimes, less really is more.
In short: After 60, there’s no need to wage a soapy war against your skin every single day. A gentle rinse daily if possible, soap every third day, and extra attention to the little details will do wonders. Your skin—and your moisturizer budget—will thank you.
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
