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There are studies that show that showers may be slightly more hygienic than baths, but baths seem to be more beneficial for mental health.
After all, which is more hygienic, taking a shower or a bath? From a hygiene perspective, the shower is generally considered slightly superior.
The main difference between the two methods is in the water flow. In the shower, dirt, sweat and microbes are continually removed down the drain, while in the bathtub the water remains, allowing some contaminants to accumulate. This distinction has led many to assume that showers are inherently more hygienic.
However, scientific evidence on the topic is limited. One of seven previous studies that compared immersion baths, bed baths and showers found only small differences in overall cleanliness.
According to the researchers, there was “no statistically significant impact” on reducing bacteria on the skin, regardless of washing method, product or frequency, with only one notable exception in removal of Clostridioides difficile, a diarrhea-causing bacterium often associated with hospital infections. In infected patients, showering significantly reduced the presence of C. difficile spores on the skin compared to bathing, although the effect varied according to the area of the body. It is important to highlight that these findings were obtained in hospital settings and focused on a specific pathogen, limiting their applicability to the general population.
Outside of clinical settings, suggests that people tend to feel cleaner after showering than after the immersion bath, although this perception is subjective. However, feeling cleaner doesn’t always mean being healthier. Human skin is home to a complex microbiome made up of beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms, and researchers are still investigating whether excessive washing can disrupt this balance and negatively affect skin health.
Interestingly, when researchers looked beyond hygiene and considered general well-being, soaking baths seemed to have some advantages. In one clinic, participants alternated between two weeks of showering and two weeks of soaking. Those who showered reported lower levels of fatiguestress, pain and negative mood, as well as better indices of mental health and social functioning.
Researchers have suggested that bathing raises body temperature, increases blood flow and can help eliminate metabolic waste, contributing to both physical relaxation and emotional benefits. The study authors cautioned that cultural preferences and factors such as water temperature were not fully controlledwith the research being conducted in Japan, where bathing is a common practice.
Generally speaking, scientists claim that there is no clear winner. Showering may offer a slight hygiene advantage in specific medical settings, while bathing may provide broader physical and mental health benefits.
