Should you wash your hair first when taking a bath?
Bathing can remove sweat, dirt, and fatigue, relax muscles, improve blood circulation, promote skin metabolism, and enhance immunity. In addition, soaking in warm water can treat certain diseases. The water temperature for a hot bath should not be too high, generally around 35-40℃.
It is also not advisable to bathe too often, as it can wash away the natural oils and protective bacteria on the skin, leading to itching and weakened resistance, making it easier to get sick. There are different bathing methods, such as showering, basin bathing, and bathtub bathing.
Many people enjoy taking a bath to relax their mind and body. However, if the correct steps are not followed, it can affect your health and not achieve the desired relaxation effect.
The correct sequence for bathing:
When you enter the bathroom and turn on the hot water, steam will be produced and your pores will expand. At this time, you should immediately wash your face to prevent the dirt accumulated on your face during the day from entering the pores and causing acne. Also, the water for washing your face should not be too hot, as it can strip away the protective oils from your skin and cause wrinkles. When you first enter the bathroom, the bathwater is not too hot, so it is recommended to wash your face with water below 40℃.
Then, when you start taking a bath, the water temperature can be slightly hotter to promote metabolism, accelerate blood circulation, open up pores, and thoroughly remove dirt from your body.
Lastly, when taking a bath, the steam will moisturize your hair, so it's best to wash your hair after washing your body.
The ideal bathing time:
Regardless of the season, bathing time should not be too long. Each bath should last around 15-30 minutes to prevent hypoxia and ischemia of the heart and brain.
Bathing too frequently, especially using shower gel or soap regularly, can disrupt the natural oil layer, leading to dry skin, itching, and premature aging. Older people, who have naturally drier skin and less sebum secretion, should try to reduce the frequency of bathing, especially in dry autumn and winter seasons, bathing once every two to three days is sufficient. It is also recommended to use less or no bath cleansing products and rinse with plain water.
Bathing should be done in a specific order - wash face, then body, and finally, hair.
When entering the shower room, the hot water will produce steam, and the pores on the body will expand. Therefore, if you don't wash your face first, the dirt accumulated on your face will enter the pores when they are enlarged.
Over time, the pores will become larger due to the accumulation of dirt, occupying territory that doesn't belong to them. This can lead to more acne on the face. However, don't believe in the myth of "acne is a sign of youth and beauty." If you wash your hair after bathing, the oil on your hair may accidentally "contaminate" your back, so it's best to wash from top to bottom.
Bathing methods:
Full-body bathing: The bather lies in a bathtub or specially designed mineral bath, with the water covering the nipples. The time depends on the situation. The water temperature can be above 42℃, and the bath time can be 10-20 minutes. The water temperature can be 35-37℃, and the soaking time can be over 1 hour. Regardless of the duration, water massage can be combined, also known as bath massage, or gentle brushing with a soft brush.
Half-body bathing: The bather sits halfway in the bathtub or bath, with the water level at the navel or waist. The upper body is covered with a large towel to avoid catching a cold.
Spray bath (shower): This refers to spraying a specific part of the body with a special water pipe to treat diseases. The nozzle should be about 20 cm away from the skin, gradually moving closer to 15 cm. The water temperature should be between 38-42℃, and each spray should last for 5 minutes, followed by a 10-minute bath. Some showerheads spray water from different directions, effectively massaging acupoints. The advantage of a shower is twofold: it can prevent cross-infection and massage acupoints.
Surfing bath: Water is sprayed onto the body from different directions, which also massages acupoints. The advantage of a bathtub is that herbal medicine can be added to it.
Bathing massage therapy: Soak in the bathtub for five to six minutes and massage the body at the same time. You can utilize the pressure and buoyancy of still water to move your limbs and massage affected areas. During bathing, massage can be combined, such as back scrubbing. The best tool for back scrubbing is loofah, which is a traditional Chinese medicine that promotes circulation. There is also a natural stone called Hai Fushi in Chinese medicine, which has a sandpaper-like texture and can help dispel phlegm. Especially for older people, loofah can remove thick skin from the heels, and at the same time, it can help dispel phlegm. These natural bathing tools are better than synthetic bath towels.
Preventing dizziness during bathing
To prevent dizziness, first, avoid bathing for too long because excessive sweating can lead to the depletion of nutrients, causing physical fatigue and even shock.
When taking a bath, sudden changes in temperature, high temperature in the bathroom, and lack of oxygen can cause dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, and even fainting. What should you do if someone faints in the bathroom? Here are the correct steps:
1. Lay the patient flat on the bed with the head turned to one side. For severe cases, elevate the lower limbs slightly;
2. Wrap the body with a dry towel to prevent direct exposure to cold air;
3. Do not let the patient eat or take medication if they are in a confused state;
4. Carefully check for any injuries;
5. If the condition is severe, seek medical treatment promptly.
