How to Dry Yourself After a Shower

Co-authored by Kelsey Morey

Last Updated: October 14, 2022

There are two ways people tend to dry off after a shower. It’s a hot debate among some whether it is better to towel off or air dry. Both have their benefits, so choose one or try each and see which is right for you. One thing is for sure, though, we all want a dry body, but not dry skin.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Toweling Off

1
Keep a clean towel handy. You may not like to think about it, but your bathroom towel is one of the most bacteria-ridden items in your home. Bacteria grows on organic material and in damp places, making your bathroom towel a perfect breeding ground for the bacteria it collects from your skin. Spreading this bacteria can lead to skin infections and illness. Follow these steps to take care of your towels:^{[1]
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Research source}
- Never share towels with other members of the household.
- Wash towels at least once per week or every 3-4 uses. If you are showering after athletics or a physically demanding job, wash them more often.
- Wash towels at high heat.
- Use bleach when possible to kill bacteria.
- Replace towels as soon as they begin to fade or smell musty.
2
Dry your hair. Squeeze the water out of your hair before stepping out of the shower. Avoid rubbing a towel on your hair, which could damage it and cause frizziness. Consider a separate towel for your hair. It is best to use a microfiber towel, or even an old t-shirt, whole or cut into a towel shape. For long hair you can roll it into a turban.
- Hold your head upside down.
- Place the long side of the towel along the base of your head at the hairline.
- Close the towel around your hair and gather it at the top of your forehead.
- Twist the towel until it has gathered all of your hair and shortened the length of the towel, usually two or three turns.
- Take this tail you have created over the top of your head and tuck the tail into the edge of the towel at the base of your head.
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3
Pat your skin dry. Aggressively rubbing your body with a towel can cause friction and irritation to your skin. Dry skin can flake off and patches of dry skin can spread. Instead, pat or blot your skin gently.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source} Start at the top of your body and work your way down to your toes.
4
Make sure you are completely dry. Harsh tap water can be damaging to the skin. The metals in the water attach to free radicals, which attack the collagen in our skin. This can be the cause of lines in your face and clogged pores.^{[3]
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Research source} Make sure that you absorb as much as possible before you hang your towel up to dry. If you are concerned about hard water, you may also consider installing a filtration system in your shower.
5
Apply ointment or cream to lock in the moisture which was absorbed during your shower. Ointments and creams are superior to moisturizer and less likely to cause irritation. Just after showering is the best time to optimize this solution to dry skin.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Air Drying

1
Twist or squeeze the water out of your hair using your hands. Starting with the hair is key to keep the water retained in it from dripping as you dry the rest of your body. If you have long hair, wring it out a couple of times before moving on. It’s no secret that heat and friction cause damage to our hair. Allowing it to air dry will lead to healthier locks.
2
Wipe your body off with your hands. Beginning at the top of your body and working you way down, use your hands to gently whisk away the water from your skin. Do the best you can to get every last droplet. If you have a lot of body hair, it is helpful to swipe the opposite direction of the hair growth the release the water from the hair.
3
Fan yourself. You can do this with an actual fan, a towel, or a hair dryer. This could take a few minutes if you are doing it by hand.^{[4]
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Research source} To speed things up, try to release the moisture from the room by opening the door or turning on the bathroom fan. Hair dryers and fans are especially helpful for the hard to reach areas and areas with dense amounts of body hair, like armpits and groins.
4
Take care getting out of the shower. Be sure to step on a bath mat. If your feet are still a little damp, you run the risk of slipping on the bathroom floor and injuring yourself.
5
Slather on some ointment or cream. Doing this right after you shower is the key to maintaining the moisture which your skin has absorbed, and is a prime solution to dry skin.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you make a towel bun?

Kelsey Morey
Professional Hair and Makeup Artist
Kelsey Morey is a Professional Hair and Makeup Artist, Model and the Owner and Founder of Haus of Pretty based in Westport, Connecticut. With more than ten years of experience, she specializes in balayage, hair care, color care, and photoshoot styling. Kelsey received her training from Brio Academy of Cosmetology and John Casablancas Modeling and Career Center. She also completed her apprenticeship with Warren Tricomi luxury salons.

Kelsey Morey

Professional Hair and Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Stand up straight and arrange the towel vertically underneath your hair. Then, wrap the towel around your hair (like in a spin) and start fitting the towel around your hair into a bun. To finish things off, you can tuck the end part of that towel into your hair.
Question

How do I dry my back after a shower?

Community Answer

Hold your towel with both hands behind your back. Stretch your towel and bend your arms toward your body one side at a time. Rub your back with the towel left and right repeatedly until dry.
Question

My partner thinks I'm weird because I dry between my toes after a shower! Is this not the norm?

Community Answer

I do this all the time, as far as I'm aware it is normal. Having damp feet is unpleasant.