December 19, 2016
AAD Says Daily Bath Not Necessary For Kids
READ TIME: 4 MIN.
For many families, bath time is a struggle. For this reason, many parents will be glad to know that a daily bath may not be necessary for their kids, according to dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology.
"Depending on their age and activity level, most children only need a bath a few times a week," said board-certified dermatologist Robert Sidbury, MD, MPH, FAAD, associate professor, department of pediatrics and division chief of dermatology, University of Washington School of Medicine. "For children, a few germs here and there are healthy, as this is how their bodies learn to fight off bacteria and build stronger immune systems."
To help parents figure out how often their child needs to bathe and wash his or her hair, Dr. Sidbury recommends that parents consider the following:
Since conditioners are designed to help moisturize dry and damaged hair, conditioning isn't necessary for most children, says Dr. Sidbury. However, children with long, wavy or curly hair may benefit from a little conditioner to prevent tangles. The conditioner should be applied mostly on the body and ends of the hair and not on the scalp.
"While these guidelines work well for most children, every child is different," said Dr. Sidbury. "If your child continues to have body odor, or if your child's hair or scalp seem too oily or dry after following these guidelines, see a board-certified dermatologist."
Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 18,000 physicians worldwide, the AAD is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails.
Dr. Sidbury notes that these guidelines are not meant for children with eczema or other skin conditions, as these children should bathe as often as directed by their dermatologist.
These tips are demonstrated in "How Often Do Children Need to Bathe?," a video posted to the AAD website and YouTube channel. This video is part of the AAD's "Video of the Month" series, which offers tips people can use to properly care for their skin, hair and nails. A new video in the series posts to the AAD website and YouTube channel each month.