In The Shower.

Byline: Ellen Miller

New tricks for coming clean.

By now, of course, you know how to take a shower: Get wet, lather up, and rinse off. But there's a bit more to it than you think. For example, did you know that the chlorine in your water is fading your highlights? Or that nice, hot showers are causing rough, dry skin? Or that your nylon sponge is depositing more germs than it's scrubbing off? "We shower every day, but many women aren't doing so in the way that keeps the skin and hair healthy," says Karyn Grossman, a dermatologist in New York City and Santa Monica. We're not suggesting you relearn the basics, but a few small changes can make a big difference. "Swap your showerhead for one that removes chlorine, use a multiblade refillable razor to prevent nicks and red bumps, and use a washcloth instead of a nylon puff," says New York City dermatologist Doris Day. "And, to keep skin moisturized in the summer, try to limit showers to ten minutes and slather on lotion right after you get out." In other words, there are plenty of tricks that will help your hair and skin. Now, don't even get us started on that whole eating-with-a-fork thing.

Turn the water temperature to warm--not hot (ideally 75 degrees, and not higher than 80). If you're planning to be in for more than ten minutes, coat the body (but not the feet) with oil before getting under the water.

Step in, and squirt a quarter-sized blob of shampoo into your palm. Rub your hands together, then massage them all over your scalp. Rinse. Work a dab of conditioner from midshaft to ends. Rinse the hair thoroughly.

Once a week, use a body scrub or a coarse washcloth with body wash on it from neck to feet. (If skin is oily, use a scrub twice a week.) Go lightly on the chest, and skip the legs if you're going to shave.

Cover your legs with moisturizing shaving cream, and with a multiblade razor, use upward strokes for the closest shave. (If skin is sensitive, use downward ones.) Repeat the process on the underarms.