Turning 65 does not automatically require a change in bathing habits, but daily showers may become harder on the skin with age. For many older adults, two or three full-body showers a week may be enough when essential areas are cleaned between showers.
In This Article
1 Why Older Skin Loses Moisture More Easily
Skin tends to become thinner, drier and more easily irritated with age. It may also bruise more easily and take longer to heal.
A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 studies estimated that xerosis cutis affected 53% of older adults. Xerosis cutis is the medical term for abnormally dry skin. The condition was especially common among nursing-home residents and frequently affected the lower legs.
The National Institute on Aging says the loss of sweat and oil glands can contribute to dry skin. Other possible factors include dry air, sun exposure, stress, smoking, inadequate fluid intake, certain medications and health conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease.
Hot water and excessive use of soap, antiperspirant or perfume can make dryness worse. The institute recommends taking fewer showers or baths, using mild soap and choosing warm rather than hot water. It does not prescribe a specific number of showers per week.
The American Academy of Dermatology offers similar advice. It says people in their 60s and 70s may find that they no longer need to bathe every day.
When they shower, the academy recommends limiting the time to five to 10 minutes. It also advises using a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and applying moisturizer afterward.
2 Is Showering Twice a Week Enough?
Many older adults may do well with two or three full-body showers a week, provided they wash their face, hands, genital area, buttocks and any sweaty or soiled areas between showers. Active people and those who work outside or perspire heavily may need to bathe more often.
There is no medical rule requiring everyone over 65 to shower the same number of times each week. Skin type, activity, climate, continence, mobility and personal preference should all be considered.
The United Kingdom’s National Health Service recommends a bath or shower at least twice a week for people receiving help with personal care.
Other hygiene should not wait until the next shower. The NHS advises washing the face, genital area and buttocks every day, along with regular handwashing.
People with urinary or fecal incontinence may need more frequent skin cleaning. The affected area should be washed whenever it becomes soiled, though that does not always require a full-body shower.
There is no medical rule requiring everyone over 65 to shower the same number of times each week.
3 What the Research Shows
French dermatologist and geriatrician Dr. Sylvie Meaume has offered another approach. She recommends rinsing the body daily after age 65 or 70, using soap only every third day and avoiding vigorous scrubbing.
The advice was reported by Futura-Sciences. The article also included a table recommending two showers a week but did not explain how that schedule fits with daily rinsing.
Meaume’s routine may work for some people with dry skin, but it is not a universally accepted guideline. Neither the National Institute on Aging nor the American Academy of Dermatology tells everyone over 65 to use soap only every third day.
Current research does not provide a clear answer about ideal bathing frequency. A 2020 Cochrane review examined six trials involving 1,598 care-home residents. Most studies included participants whose mean age was above 80.
The trials compared several cleansing products, moisturizers and skin-care routines. Reviewers found too little reliable evidence to determine how the different approaches affected skin damage or side effects. Most of the evidence was rated low or very low quality.
Research provides clearer guidance about skin-care products. A review of 63 articles found that low-irritation cleansers reduced dryness more effectively than standard soap and water.
Leave-on products containing humectants helped reduce dryness and itching. Formulations containing glycerin and petrolatum were also associated with fewer skin tears.
4 A Gentler Way to Shower
Shower water should be warm rather than hot. Long showers can remove natural oils, so five to 10 minutes is generally enough.
A mild, fragrance-free cleanser can be used mainly on the underarms, groin, buttocks, feet and visibly dirty areas. There is usually no need to scrub the entire body with harsh soap.
Rough washcloths, bath brushes and vigorous towel drying can irritate sensitive skin. Use a soft cloth while washing, then pat the skin dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing it.
Moisturizer works best when applied while the skin is still slightly damp. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying a fragrance-free cream or ointment within three minutes of bathing. An ointment may hold moisture better when the skin is extremely dry.
The National Institute on Aging also recommends using moisturizer every day and running a humidifier when indoor air is dry. Bath oil should not be added to the water because it can make the tub slippery.
Daily showering remains an option for people who prefer it and whose skin tolerates it. Warm water, shorter showers and a mild cleanser can reduce dryness. If the skin becomes tight, itchy or flaky, showering less often may help.
5 Why Bathroom Safety Also Matters
A wet bathroom can be dangerous for someone with poor balance, reduced strength, painful joints, limited mobility or medication-related dizziness.
More than one in four adults 65 and older falls each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vision problems, weakness, poor balance, certain medications and household hazards can increase the risk.
Grab bars, nonslip surfaces, adequate lighting, a shower chair and a handheld showerhead can make bathing easier. People who feel unsteady or tired in the shower may be safer bathing while seated or with assistance.
Severe itching, cracked skin, bleeding, sores or signs of infection should be discussed with a doctor. The National Institute on Aging notes that scratching thin, dry skin can cause bleeding and may lead to infection.
For most people over 65, the routine does not need to be complicated. Shower when needed, wash essential areas every day and pay attention to how the skin responds.
Editor’s Note: Virginia Times used AI-assisted tools to help gather and organize research and edit this article for clarity. The cited sources provided the underlying information, and the final article was reviewed and approved by a Virginia Times editor.
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