Young man with a beard standing washing his hair in the shower with shampoo rinsing it off under the jet of water, upper body with tattoo (iStock)
At this point in life, you probably have the whole showering thing pretty much on autopilot (at least we hope you do). You know what products you like, water temperature is just right, and the proper lather, rinse, and repeat cadence—going through the motions with not a lot of thought.
What you might not realize, though, is that how you go about cleansing yourself actually needs to alter a bit depending on the season. Which makes sense, if you think about it: how could the same method work just as well both in the dry, frigid depths of winter, as well as during the dog days of summer? It couldn’t. And so, here are all the shower tweaks you need to make the closer we get to the season's official start.
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1. Assess your shampoo routine.
As we’ve mentioned in the past, the amount you should be washing your hair is largely dependent on a couple of factors. Hair type, for one. Also, grease and sweat buildup. It’s the latter that becomes more prominent as the weather warms up, and so, if you haven’t already, you’re going to want to reconsider the frequency with which you shampoo. Maybe it should increase. Maybe it should stay the same. Either way, a little analysis couldn’t hurt.
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2. Keep on conditioning.
Even when it’s at its greasiest, you hair might still have a moisture problem. So even though it may seem like you can back off, you need to keep up the strong work with the conditioner all summer long, lathering some on every couple days to lock in moisture and help hair stay healthy. The key to adjusting for summer, though: using products marked as “cleansing”instead of the “nourishing” stuff that got you through winter. These won’t leave any added weight behind, so your hair can breathe a bit better.
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3. Colder is better.
Sure, a hot shower is nice. But when the mercury’s on the upswing, there’s definitely something to be said for turning down the heat. For one, it can help with sweat by lowering your surface body temperature, setting a higher threshold for perspiration. Secondly, cold showers can help your skin lock in moisture, constrict blood vessels for reduced flushing, and help you lose weight. But then again, you knew that already.
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4. Up the ante.
If you’re the type of guy who showers religiously once or twice a day, then go ahead and go to number 5; this one isn’t for you. But if you’re not opposed to skipping a day or two, either intentionally or accidentally, you might want to reconsider your stance for the summer months. Because you’re going to be sweating a whole lot more in the months to come, and if you don’t at least rinse off every day, you’re going to stink. And no one wants that.
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5. Consider showering at night.
Here’s a fun tidbit: science has proven that people fall asleep easier, and sleep better, when their body temperature is on the decline. Now, during the winter, that’s an easy thing to achieve—the weather’s pretty much got you covered. But in the summer, it can be somewhat more difficult, which is why taking a cold shower at night can be a solid choice. Another tip: don’t towel off as thoroughly, as going to bed slightly damp will help keep you cooler for longer.
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6. Exfoliate away.
No matter how much you moisturize, chances are that you’ve got some dry skin somewhere on your body. Don’t worry, it’s only natural. But the fact is, at some point in the near-ish future, you’re going to find yourself less-than-fully clothed in front of other people, and the last thing you want is dry, scaly skin killing your vibes. So get yourself an exfoliating scrub, and use it anywhere needs attention.
7. Pay attention to your feet.
At least if you’re planning on wearing sandals any time soon. And let’s get real, you totally are.
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