Dr. Joel Schlessinger featured in article about adult hygiene

It’s often up to our parents and guardians to teach us proper hygiene as children. As we grow, good habits may fall by the wayside, or we may realize that we have gaps in our knowledge for how to effectively care for different parts of our bodies. In a recent Women’s Health Magazine article featured on lifehacker.com, Dr. Schlessinger shared tips for cleansing the face and body.

Dr. Joel Schlessinger recommends changing out washcloths and loofahs regularly.

Showering may appear to be one of the most straightforward areas of personal care, but it’s always a good idea to return to basics to ensure you’re giving yourself the best cleanse possible. In addition to making sure the water isn’t too hot and you’re using the best cleansing products for your skin type, you’ll want to examine any tools you may be using. “Washcloths and loofahs can harbor bacteria, mold and yeast,” Dr. Schlessinger cautions, and this could harm skin in the long run.

You should replace loofahs once a month and store them outside of the moisture-filled shower if possible. Washcloths should be switched out every day and they should not be used on the face: “This is very irritating to the skin and ends up causing dry areas, breakouts and even sores.” Dr. Schlessinger recommends using your clean hands to avoid contaminating the face with impurities.

Dr. Joel Schlessinger encourages building on good habits.

Good habits build a solid foundation for good hygiene, and even if you can identify certain areas of your routine that are lacking, you can still tack positive actions onto the good habits you do have. For example, if you brush your teeth once every day in the morning, continue to do so, and add an evening teeth-brushing session. If you are used to overly hot, skin-drying showers, gradually reduce the temperature over a week.

The article stresses the importance of mastering the basics, which include, “clean[ing] yourself regularly, groom[ing] your hair neatly,” and brushing your teeth for two minutes two or three times a day. Doing so will ensure that you’re always putting your best self forward.

Do you have a question about proper hygiene or cleansing for Dr. Joel Schlessinger? Let us know in the comments section.