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The Down & Dirty of Showering

It’s time to get down and dirty with the facts about showering.

Any time you experience water exposure, you wash away the grime. But, good stuff like healthy bacteria and helpful oils get washed away as well. The longer you’re in contact with water, the greater the chance the good stuff gets washed off. Those with oily skin can take longer showers and baths. If you have dry skin, you should limit exposure to 5-10 minutes.

Long, warm showers can make you sleepy. Your body temperature drops when you leave the shower, signaling to your brain to get ready for bed. Beware the early morning luxury showering. Turning down the temperature a bit can prevent post-wash sleepiness.

You should shower as soon as possible after working out or sweating during outdoor activities. This can prevent breakouts and prickly heat. Exfoliate areas of friction and where you sweat the most. Wash off pollution from outdoor activities.

Use the best cleanser for your skin type. Sensitive skin is best treated with liquid body wash, since bar soap can contain harsher cleansers. Jojoba, shea butter or coconut oil help replace skin lipids that get washed away. A creamy body wash is good for dry skin. Shower gel works well for people with oily skin. Get a product that is sulfate-free.

When you've finished showering, pat yourself dry. Let your body cool before applying antiperspirant. It's best to apply it before bed.

Washing with soap and water works best on the go. Antibacterial gel works in a pinch, but it’s best to just wash your hands regularly. Wet hands first, add soap, lather while singing “Happy Birthday” and rinse. Keep your cell phone and surfaces clean to prevent breakouts. Carry hand cream to avoid cracked skin.

Listen as Dr. Jessica Wu joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to share how to shower correctly.

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Smarty Pants Vitamins
The Down & Dirty of Showering
Featuring:
Jessica Wu, MD
Dr. Jessica WuDr. Jessica Wu is a Cosmetic Dermatologist in Los Angeles, California, where she has practiced for 20 years.

She is a graduate of Harvard Medical School, and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the USC School of Medicine. 


In addition to her private practice, Dr. Wu frequently lectures at national and international medical conferences and was an investigator in the clinical research trials that led to FDA approval of Juvederm wrinkle filler and Latisse lash growth serum.   

Dr. Wu’s first book, Feed Your Face: Younger, Smoother Skin and a Beautiful Body in 28 Delicious Days, is an easy-to-follow beauty and diet guide for everyone who wants to have a better complexion. Packed with testimonials from her celebrity patients and unretouched before-and-after photos, Dr. Wu reviews the science behind what we eat and how it affects our skin, and shows how easy and delicious it can be to get gorgeous at your very next meal.

When she’s not helping Hollywood’s A-list get red-carpet ready, Dr. Wu dishes up advice and spills skin-care secrets on national television shows such as Good Morning America, The Doctors, and Entertainment Tonight. 

In her leisure time, Dr. Wu enjoys fitness activities and is a certified ski instructor. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband.