How long should one wait before taking a shower after sweating from exercise?
Nov 19, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Jianjun
Introduction
Generally, you can take a shower 30 to 60 minutes after sweating from exercise. During physical activity, blood circulation and metabolism accelerate, generating more heat, which is dissipated through sweat. At this time, the pores are in an expanded state. If you shower immediately, it may hinder the elimination of toxins from the body and make you susceptible to external pathogens, thus adversely affecting the normal functioning of various tissues in the body.
Generally, it is advisable to wait 30 to 60 minutes after exercising and sweating before taking a shower, as showering too soon may be detrimental to health. Specific reasons are as follows:
During exercise, blood circulation and metabolism accelerate, generating significant heat. The body dissipates this heat through sweat, and pores on the skin are in an expanded state. If one showers immediately, it may hinder the elimination of toxins from the body and increase susceptibility to external pathogens, disrupting the normal functioning of bodily tissues. Additionally, heart rate and blood pressure tend to rise after sweating; showering immediately could reduce blood supply to the brain, potentially leading to fainting or shock, which is harmful to overall health. It is therefore recommended to wait 30 to 60 minutes until the pores on the skin surface have closed before showering.
Moreover, shower duration should not be excessively long to avoid damaging the skin's surface layer. Water temperature should neither be too cold nor too hot. After showering, it is important to keep warm promptly to prevent catching a chill.
