Taking a bath after exercise is bad. True or false?
Dear doc, can I take a bath after playing basketball? Hot or cold? Should I wait an hour or so before taking a shower to prevent ‘pasma’?
Zab Ringol, College student, 20 yrs old
I know a lot of my traditional Chinese friends and patients will hate me for this but there is absolutely no difference if one takes a cold or hot shower after exercise. Cold water allows your skin pores to close making you sweat less after you shower. With hot water, you will notice that you continue to sweat even after you’ve toweled off. But there is no harm in this because, once you enter a cooler environment, the sweating slows down and there is no sticky after feel in your skin.
Resting before taking a shower or bath also has no medical benefits. What it actually does is it allows your body temperature to adjust and your sweating eventually slows down. It has nothing to do with preventing “pasma” or “lamig”. It all boils down to individual preference, I guess. As long as you don’t mind being stinky or you don’t have to hug anyone after you exercise, wait as long you wish…
Comments
Roeyourboat
I don't believe in pasma. There is no such thing!