Seven mistakes in the bathroom that many people make every day

Everyone has their own bathroom routine. Most processes have become so habitual that you don’t even think about them anymore. But it’s worth it. With a few small changes you can achieve a lot of benefits for your health.

For many, a morning shave is part of the start of the day. But especially those who shave wet benefit from removing the stubble before going to bed. Then the skin has enough time overnight to recover from the micro-injuries and you don’t rush to work with red pimples and, in the worst case, even with small bleeding. This applies both to shaving the face and to the other areas of the body.

It is better to shave in the evening and do without shower gel for the shave

Women in particular like to use shower gel for shaving because it’s quicker: lather your body, shave, done. Dermatologists advise against it, however, as shower gel can increase the irritation that occurs when shaving. Perfumes and aggressive surfactants are often to blame.

A moisturizing shaving cream without alcohol is more suitable. The blade slides more easily over it. A cream, for example with skin-soothing aloe vera or dexpanthenol, which supports wound healing, is good care after shaving.

Change toothbrush every two months

It stands in the toothbrush cup and waits every day to be used: the toothbrush. But even if you use them often, it’s easy to forget to replace them regularly. Dentists recommend a new toothbrush every two months – and immediately after a cold. Because bacteria and viruses accumulate in the bristles. The moist environment also promotes propagation.

According to estimates, there are an average of 100 million germs on the toothbrush. In order to keep the colonization as low as possible, you should always rinse the toothbrush thoroughly after cleaning and place it upside down in the cup to dry. In addition, regular use puts a strain on the bristles. They often protrude in all directions – this risks small injuries in the mouth.

Leave active shampoos on your head for a sufficiently long time

If time is short in the morning, hair washing is often done in a hurry. But especially those who use shampoos with special active ingredients, for example against dandruff, should plan time.

The scalp can only absorb the active ingredients with sufficient exposure time. Dermatologists recommend leaving active shampoos on your head for five to ten minutes. Some shampoos require even more exposure time. This is stated on the product. In the meantime, you can, for example, brush your teeth or enjoy a cup of coffee or tea – and benefit from it as well.

Give the gut the time it needs

Warm drinks and caffeine stimulate intestinal activity. This can be especially beneficial in the morning when time is short. Gastroenterologists know: The intestines need up to ten minutes until the natural intestinal motor function kicks in and the intestines do their work.

You should give him that time. If you need a little longer on the toilet “until it works”, a warm drink can be of great help. Strong pressing and squeezing are no-gos. This increases the risk that the hemorrhoids will grow pathologically over time.

One should not linger on the throne longer than necessary. The anal region has to withstand a lot of pressure on the vessels and the tissue due to the “sagging” sitting position. Sessions that are too long can also promote hemorrhoids in the long term.

Tip: A toilet stool on which to put your legs can provide additional support. The resulting steeper angle between the rectum and anus ensures that the rectum straightens and the stool can slide out more easily. According to gut experts, a height of between 20 and 30 centimeters is ideal.

Better not to wash the body with shampoo

To save time, many use shampoo to cleanse their bodies. Dermatologists advise against it, however, as it can lead to unsightly skin reactions. Shampoos usually have a strong degreasing effect to loosen the sebum from the scalp and hair.

While the scalp usually copes well with this, other areas of the skin can become unnecessarily dried out. In addition, many active ingredients used in shampoos have no place on the skin. These include, for example, climbazole and piroctone olamine, which are used against dandruff. Silicones are also not recommended for the skin.

Excessive personal hygiene promotes infections

In the intimate area, you should generally avoid anything that foams. Shower gel and soap dry out the skin unnecessarily and weaken its natural defences. This increases the risk of bladder infections and vaginal thrush. Gynecologists advise cleaning the intimate area only with water. Caution should also be exercised with intimate washing gels, intimate deodorants and panty liners with a fresh scent.

Down below, less is more. Even the anal region can be sensitive. Itching, weeping and tiny inflamed cracks can be the result. Many also react to damp toilet paper with unpleasant irritation. Fragrances, preservatives and moisturizers are not good for delicate skin.

Don’t scrape calluses off your feet completely

And even if women in particular find them annoying: you shouldn’t remove too much callus from your feet. A thin layer should always remain on the foot. It represents an important protective barrier against bacteria, viruses and germs.

In addition, the cornea reduces mechanical stress, such as that caused by shoes that are too tight. This prevents blisters and abrasions. So that the feet still look well-groomed and the hard skin remains supple, you should apply lotion regularly.