There are two ways that people dry themselves after a shower and there is a heated debate as to whether it is better to use a towel or to let the skin air dry. Both techniques have benefits, so you can choose one or try both, to understand which one is best suited to your needs. But one thing is certain: the body must be dry, but the skin must not be dry.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use the Towel
Step 1. Have a clean towel available
You may not want to think about it, but this fabric is one of the items in the house most contaminated with bacteria. Microorganisms grow on organic material and in wet places; consequently, the towel represents the perfect environment for the proliferation of bacteria that move from the skin. Their spread causes skin infections and diseases. Follow these instructions to take care of your bath towels:
- Never share your towel with other family members.
- Wash your towels at least once a week or every 3-4 uses. If you shower after physical activity or physically demanding work, wash it more frequently.
- Wash them at a high temperature.
- Whenever possible, use bleach to kill bacteria.
- Replace them as soon as they start to discolor or take on a musty smell.
Step 2. Dry your hair
Squeeze them to get rid of excess water before you get out of the shower. Avoid rubbing them with a towel, as this could damage them and cause them to become frizzy; Consider using a towel only for your hair, preferably microfiber or even an old T-shirt. If you have long hair, you can wrap it in a turban.
- Keep your head upside down.
- Lay the long side of the towel at the base of the hairline at the nape of the neck.
- Close the cloth around the hair and gather the ends at the top of the forehead.
- Twist the towel until it has collected all the hair and is shorter, usually two or three rotations are enough.
- Bring the "tail" that has formed over your head and tuck it under the edge of the towel at the nape of your neck.
Step 3. Dab the skin to dry it
Rubbing it vigorously with the towel generates friction and irritation; patches of dry skin may flake and become larger. Instead, try to gently pat or pat your body. Start at the top and gradually work your way down to your toes.
Step 4. Make sure you are completely dry
Tap water can be aggressive and damage the epidermis, the metals it contains attach themselves to free radicals, which in turn attack the skin's collagen; they could even be the cause of facial wrinkles and clogged pores. Be sure to absorb as much water as possible before hanging the towel to dry. If you are worried that the water is too hard, you can install a filter system in the shower.
Step 5. Apply a lotion or cream to lock in the moisture that your skin has absorbed during the shower
These products are better than a regular moisturizer and have a lower risk of irritation. The best time to take advantage of all the properties of this remedy for dry skin is right after a shower.
Method 2 of 2: Air Dry
Step 1. Twist or wring your hair with your hands to get rid of excess water
It is important to start right from the hair, to prevent the water contained in it from dripping while you dry the rest of the body. If you have long hair, squeeze it out a few times before continuing. It's certainly no secret that heat and friction damage your hair, but if you let it air dry, it looks healthier.
Step 2. Rub the body with your hands
Start at the head and gradually move downwards using your hands to gently push the water away from the skin; try your best to get rid of all the drops. If you are very hairy, you should rub against the grain to get rid of any water that has been trapped.
Step 3. Expose yourself to the air
You can use a real fan, a towel or a hair dryer; if you proceed manually, it will take a few minutes. To speed things up, try lowering the humidity in the room by opening the bathroom door or turning on the vacuum fan. Hair dryers and fans are very useful for drying hard-to-reach areas or areas covered with a lot of hair, such as the armpits and groin.
Step 4. Be careful when you get out of the shower
Walk on a bath mat; if your feet are still a little wet, you run the risk of slipping and hurting yourself.
Step 5. Apply lotion or cream
Doing this right after you shower is the key factor in retaining the moisture your skin has absorbed while you washed and is an essential part of treating dry skin.
Advice
- Choose lotions that contain oils to restore the sebum lost from the skin.
- Use gentle, fragrance-free products.
- Take lukewarm showers instead of very hot ones.
- Dry from top to bottom to speed up the process and prevent water from dripping.
- During the shower, set the water cold for a few moments; in this way, you exfoliate your face, reduce sweating and close your pores.
