Jose Manuel Felices, physician: "If we finish training and rush to the shower, we interrupt the natural regulation process."

Is it a good idea to shower right after a workout ? Although personal hygiene is considered essential after exercise, more and more experts are warning about the negative effects of doing so immediately. Dr. Jose Manuel Felices Farias , a specialist in radiodiagnosis and interventional radiology, explained on his Instagram profile why it's a good idea to wait a few minutes before getting underwater.

Showering after exercising is a common routine that, for many people, represents the perfect end to a training session. However, the physiological processes triggered during physical activity suggest that this habit may not be as harmless as it seems. Felices warns that showering immediately can alter the body's thermal balance and hinder recovery.

What happens in the body right after exercise

"While we exercise, our muscles burn energy, which produces heat, which raises our body temperature," explains the doctor. To compensate, blood vessels dilate and sweating is activated, which evaporates on the skin and helps cool the body. But this mechanism doesn't end when you stop exercising; it continues for a few minutes afterward.

“If we finish our workout and rush to the shower, we disrupt the natural temperature regulation process, which can lead to dizziness and even fainting ,” he warns. The body still needs time to stabilize its internal temperature, and an early shower— especially a cold one —can negatively interfere with this balance.

Another argument Dr. Felices puts forward has to do with the function of sweat beyond cooling the body. “Sweat also carries away toxins that come to the surface of the skin. If we shower right away, we don't allow the body to finish excreting those toxins , leaving a feeling that the cleansing process hasn't been completed,” he asserts.

Furthermore, sweat has a slightly acidic pH, which creates a protective layer against bacteria and external agents . If you apply an alkaline soap immediately, this barrier can be broken, leaving your skin more sensitive and exposed. " If you shower too quickly, especially with alkaline soaps , you disrupt this balance and your skin becomes more vulnerable , potentially becoming irritated or dry," warns the specialist.

How long do you have to wait to shower?

And it's not about skipping a shower after exercising. Dr. Felices recommends waiting a few minutes before showering: " Science supports the idea that these processes last about 15 minutes after finishing the activity ." During that time, he advises hydrating, resting, socializing with the group, or simply taking a few minutes to relax before continuing with your post-workout routine.

“Hydrate, socialize with your teammates, or reflect on how well you did, and then take that well-deserved and necessary shower,” she concludes. This small change in habits can make a big difference in physical recovery, skin health, and overall well-being after exercise.