Rester en forme en vieillissant : quelle est la fréquence idéale des douches chaque semaine ?
Showering every day is a habit many of us pick up early on, seen as a basic part of keeping clean. But it isn’t necessarily the best routine for everyone—especially older people. Dermatologists now say seniors should rethink how often they shower to keep their skin comfortable and healthy.
How skin changes as we get older
As we age, our skin goes through noticeable changes. Dr Sylvie Meaume, a dermatologist and head of Geriatrics Wounds and Healing at AP-HP Rothschild, points out: “Seniors have thinner and drier skin, which pulls and itches more than in younger people.” By about 65–70 years, the skin makes less sebum (the skin’s natural oil), the epidermis thins, and elasticity drops. That makes skin more fragile and prone to irritation and itching, so hygiene needs to be adjusted.
The skin’s natural protective layer (the hydrolipidic film) becomes less effective with age. Excessive or aggressive washing can damage that layer, reducing the skin’s ability to hold on to moisture and to protect itself from outside aggressors, which leads to discomfort and potential skin problems.
How often to shower and when to use soap
For people aged 65–70 years and older, dermatologists such as Dr Meaume recommend cutting shower frequency to two showers per week. Soap should ideally be used only one day out of three to help preserve the skin barrier. As Dr Meaume adds: “From 65–70 years, ideally, if possible, rinse the body every day, but use soap one day out of three without rubbing your skin too hard.”
Certain spots—armpits, feet and intimate areas—should be cleaned every day, even on non-shower days, to maintain hygiene without harming the skin.
Practical tips to stay clean and protect skin
How you shower and what you use matters as much as how often. Researchers at Harvard Medical School advise keeping showers short—about 3 to 4 minutes—and using tepid rather than hot water to avoid further drying the skin. For cleansing, choose gentler options like shower oils, dermatological bars, or fatty/emollient soaps. Avoid products containing harsh surfactants such as sulfates, polyethylenes, acids, and sodium.
After washing, pat the skin gently with a towel instead of rubbing vigorously to help preserve the skin’s integrity and reduce irritation.
Make it personal: adapt your routine
These are guidelines, not hard rules. Season, physical activity and an individual’s health can all mean adjustments are needed. The aim is to prevent or reduce problems common in ageing skin—dryness, irritation, allergies and eczema—while keeping skin comfortable and protective.
Daily showering may be a long-standing habit, but it’s worth rethinking as we get older. For seniors, the emphasis should be on a personalised hygiene routine that balances preserving the skin with staying clean.
Take a moment to consider whether your own habits need a tweak so your skin can be healthier and more comfortable in later years. As we age, paying attention to what our bodies need helps us age in good health.