Have you ever thought about showering in the dark? Everything about the dark shower: a new way to relax

If in recent years TikTok has gotten us used to increasingly elaborate beauty routines, this time the trend seems to be moving in the opposite direction. After the everything shower, the never-ending shower ritual made of scrubs, hair removal, masks, treatments, lymphatic massages and every product found in the bathroom, now all it takes to turn this moment into a small relaxation ritual is one simple thing: turning off the light. Called dark showers, they consist of taking a shower in complete darkness or with very dim lighting. But is it really a habit that can help, or is it just another viral trend? Here’s what you need to know.

Have you ever thought about taking a shower in the dark?

Why take a shower in the dark?

Maybe after years of adding more and more steps to our beauty routines, we have finally realized that sometimes less is more, for real. The dark shower was born precisely from this need: switching off the chaos of everyday life and allowing ourselves a few minutes of well-deserved relaxation. We can all agree that the bright white light in the bathroom, especially in the evening, is not exactly the most calming atmosphere. Dimming the lights, therefore, completely changes the mood and transforms a simple shower into a sort of mini home spa, where the only thing left to do is listen to the sound of the water, enjoy the scent of your favorite shampoo and fully embrace the moment. On TikTok, some people use it as a ritual to disconnect after a busy day, others associate it with mindfulness, while others simply want to treat themselves in a different way.

But does it actually help?

Of course, like every trend that blows up on TikTok, the most important question eventually comes up: does it actually work or is it just another wellness ritual to add to the list of things to try? The answer is: it depends. According to experts quoted by Healthline, dark showers are not a miracle cure for insomnia and, understandably, simply turning off the bathroom light will not instantly turn us into well-rested and zen versions of ourselves. However, it can become a small tool within an evening routine designed to slow down. The reason is quite simple: light plays a fundamental role in regulating our circadian rhythm, also known as our “internal clock”, which controls the sleep-wake cycle. Reducing exposure to bright lights in the hours before going to bed can help the body understand that it is time to lower its pace and prepare for rest. As neuroscientist Chelsie Rohrscheib explains on Healthline, melatonin production is regulated by the light signals that enter our eyes. In practice, the less light reaches the brain, the easier it is for the body to receive the signal that it’s time to start relaxing. A warm shower itself can also play an important role before bedtime. Heat temporarily raises body temperature, which then gradually decreases once we step out of the shower, following a process similar to the natural one that occurs when the body prepares for sleep. So, turning off the light while washing your hair won’t magically make all sleepless nights disappear. But it can become a small ritual that helps bring the day to a close, leaving behind the mental chaos for a few minutes and allowing both mind and body to slow down.