As the great celebrity shower debate endures, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has stepped into the ring as the latest star to share his washing habits. Some stars have divulged lately that they shower less often, but Johnson, apparently, is squeaky-clean.
"I’m the opposite of a 'not washing themselves'celeb," he tweeted earlier this month.
The professional wrestler-turned-actor takes a three-pronged approach to his daily showering routine: A cold shower "when I roll outta bed to get my day rollin,' " a warm shower "after my workout before work," and a hot shower "after I get home from work," he shared with fans.
"I don’t take freezing showers in the morning but it’s chilly and has a great 'morning bite'to wake me up, clear cobwebs and get rollin’ with my day," Johnson tweeted Wednesday inresponse to USA TODAY's story.
Should you be addingcold showers to your own routine? Here's what health experts have to say.
More:Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher don't shower every day. Should you bathe daily?
Cold (or at least lukewarm) showers are better for your skin
Hot showers aren't the best for your skin, Dr. Gordon Bae, a clinical assistant professorof dermatology at Stanford University, tells USA TODAY.
Picture trying to wash a greasy pan: Hot water is going to remove much more grease than cold water could.
"The effects of hot water on the skin can be a little bit negative in that they can strip away a lot of our protective oils and fats that is responsible for keeping our skin well moisturized as well as ensuring that our skin barrier is intact," Bae says. "When cleaning dishes, you do want to get rid of all the grease and all the oils. But when you're cleaning your skin, if you get rid of too much of that, then that may lead to excess dryness."
Those with skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis also risk worsening their conditions and increasing itching by taking hot showers.
Bae adds some in dermatology also theorize cold showers have even morebenefits, too, such as"alittle bit of (skin) tightening or at least also temporary decrease in redness of the skin. "If you are a healthy person, then taking a cold shower every day would be much better for your skin. Definitely over taking hot showers."
Cold showers have benefits but they aren't for everyone
Some studies have found correlations between cold showers and less sick days taken at work. Bae notes other found benefits include a decrease in inflammation in the body, and there are medical professionals"who think that it may possibly increase longevity and also increase fat loss by increasing your metabolism."
More:Why you should drink water first thing every day
When struggling with an overwhelming emotion, shocking your system with a splash (or more) of cold water can help bring youback to center, according to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, a type of cognitive psychotherapy that helps treat anxiety, depression and other emotion-related disorders.
The official website for DBT notes that "cooler temperatures decrease your heart rate (which is usually faster when we are emotionally overwhelmed)."
Not everyone should necessarily go for thePolar Bear Plunge right away, though. Bae warns that those who haven't taken a cold shower before should exercise caution.
"It can be a little bit of a shock to your system," Bae says. "People who are elderly or people with pre-existing heart conditions may want to really think about doing that or at least consult their primary care doctors before doing that."
If your doctorrecommends avoiding cold showers – or if the task just seems too daunting–DBT notes splashing cold water on your face, stepping outside for a walk when it's chilly, or holding or rubbing an ice cube can procure similar benefits.
Lather, rinse…repeat? Should you follow The Rock's washing routine?
Johnson also noted that he uses face wash andbody wash, exfoliates and sings "off key" during his showers. But Bae notes that the soap and exfoliant routine isn't necessary to do multiple times a day. Most people don't need to use body wash more than once a dayand exfoliating should be done even less than that.
Though, he notes,"it would depend on how much oil your skin tends to produce."
Teens probably need to wash their face and body more regularly than people in their 40s or 50s (Johnson is 49), who tend to have more dry skin.
"If you're younger andtend to have more oily skin, you could consider washing everyday with soap and water and shampoo, or some sort of wash that can help cleanse some of the oils, but the older you are, you may want to decrease the frequency of that."
Bae saysdon't exfoliate too much– there isn't much of a need to try to scrub away dead skin, because it comes away "by itself over time." Over-exfoliating, like using soap too often, can also strip the body of a lot of its oils, he adds.
As for singing off-key, attemptat your own risk.
I'm a skincare and dermatology enthusiast with a deep understanding of the effects of different showering habits on skin health. My knowledge is backed by extensive research and insights from experts in the field. Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article:
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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's Showering Routine:
- The celebrity follows a three-pronged approach to daily showering: a cold shower in the morning, a warm shower after a workout, and a hot shower after work.
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Skin Health and Shower Temperature:
- Hot showers can negatively impact the skin by stripping away protective oils and fats, leading to excess dryness.
- Individuals with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis may worsen their conditions and experience increased itching with hot showers.
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Benefits of Cold Showers:
- Cold showers may have benefits such as skin tightening and a temporary decrease in skin redness.
- Some studies correlate cold showers with fewer sick days at work, decreased inflammation, and potential benefits for longevity and fat loss by increasing metabolism.
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Caution for Cold Showers:
- Cold showers may not be suitable for everyone, especially the elderly or those with pre-existing heart conditions.
- Alternatives such as splashing cold water on the face, taking a chilly walk, or holding/rubbing an ice cube can offer similar benefits without the shock to the system.
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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT):
- DBT suggests that shocking the system with cold water can help regulate emotions by decreasing heart rate during overwhelming situations.
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Showering Routine and Skin Care:
- Dwayne Johnson uses face wash, body wash, and exfoliates during his showers.
- Using body wash more than once a day and excessive exfoliation may not be necessary for most people, especially as they age and their skin tends to be drier.
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Age and Skin Care:
- Younger individuals with oily skin may need to wash their face and body more regularly, while older individuals with drier skin may decrease the frequency.
- Over-exfoliating, like using soap too often, can strip the body of essential oils.
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Singing in the Shower:
- Dwayne Johnson mentions singing "off key" during his showers, and the article suggests attempting this at your own risk.
In conclusion, the article provides insights into the showering habits of a celebrity, discusses the impact of water temperature on skin health, explores the potential benefits of cold showers, and offers advice on skincare routines based on age and skin type. Additionally, it touches upon the psychological benefits of cold water exposure according to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
