Younger children only need to bathe a few times a week, according to AAD dermatologist

Children aged 6 to 11 years generally only need to bathe two or three times per week, with less bathing possibly building stronger immune systems, according Robert Sidbury, MD, MPH, FAAD, associate professor, department of pediatrics and division chief of dermatology, at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

“Depending on their age and activity level, most children only need a bath a few times a week,” Sidbury stated in a press release from the American Academy of Dermatology. “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.”

Sidbuy also recommended that children aged 6 to 11 only shampoo their hair once or twice a week until the start of puberty. Children of African descent or children with dry or curly hair only need to shampoo hair every seven to 10 days, he stated, and if that child has been swimming or has heavy sweating, hair can be rinsed and a conditioner can be used.

Children should bathe and wash their hair if they get dirty when playing in mud, after being in a pool, lake or ocean or other body of water, or whenever they get sweaty or have body odor, Sidbury reports.

Once children hit puberty around age 12, they should shower or bathe daily and shampoo their hair every other day or daily, according to the release. Children of African descent or with dry or curly hair should bathe daily and shampoo their hair every seven to 10 days, according to Sidbury.

Children with eczema or other skin conditions should bath as directed by their dermatologist, Sidbury stated.

“While these guidelines work well for most children, every child is different,” Sidbury stated in the release. “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.”

Bathing tips for children are demonstrated on a video titled “How Often do Children Need to Bathe,” on the AAD website, listed under “Public and Patients, Video Library,” which is part of the academy’s “Video of the Month” series to offer tips on proper care for skin, hair and nails, according to the release.

Reference: www.aad.org