A few drips immediately after use can be normal
A shower head and hose hold water after the control is closed. As air enters, some of that trapped water can drain out for a short time. A large overhead head may drip for several minutes simply because of its size and internal channels. The question is whether the dripping stops once the retained water has emptied. If it continues for hours, starts again without the shower being used or forms a steady rhythm, the control valve is more likely to be passing water when it should be fully closed.
Mixer showers rely on internal seals and cartridges
Thermostatic and manual mixer valves contain cartridges, seals and ceramic components that control the flow. Wear, scale or debris can stop those parts closing completely. Hard water can make the problem more likely by depositing scale on moving surfaces. Turning the control harder is not a good long-term fix and can damage the handle or cartridge. If the shower has become stiff as well as drippy, mention both symptoms because they often point towards the same internal component.
Electric showers are a different type of appliance
An electric shower has water controls inside an electrical appliance, so diagnosis and repair require more caution. A small amount of water may drain after use, but persistent flow should not be treated like an ordinary mixer tap. Do not remove the cover unless you are appropriately competent to work on the unit. If an electric shower continues to pass water, use the manufacturer’s isolation arrangements and seek a suitably qualified person. Tell them the make and model because parts and internal layouts vary considerably.
Check whether the head or valve is really responsible
Remove the handset from its holder and let the hose hang naturally after use. If the remaining water drains and then stops, the system may simply be emptying. If fresh water keeps appearing, the valve is passing. With a fixed overhead head, the distinction can be harder because a larger volume remains trapped. Note how long the drip continues and whether turning another tap affects it. Avoid dismantling thermostatic controls just to investigate; refitting them incorrectly can affect temperature control.
When repair or cartridge replacement makes sense
A good-quality shower valve with available service parts is often worth repairing. A plumber may clean or replace the flow cartridge, seals or other service components depending on the design. Very old unbranded valves can be more awkward because compatible parts may be impossible to identify. In that situation, replacement of the control may be more reliable, but access behind tiles and panels can influence the cost. Ask whether the proposed repair can be completed from the front of the valve before assuming walls need to be opened.
What to include when asking for a quote
Say whether the shower is electric, thermostatic mixer, manual mixer or supplied from a bath tap arrangement. Include a photograph of the controls and any visible brand name. Explain how long the dripping continues after use and whether the control has become stiff or temperature regulation has changed. Those details help a plumber distinguish normal drain-down from an internal valve fault and improve the chance of arriving with the correct cartridge or service kit.
Do not confuse dripping with a leak behind the wall
Water from the shower head is visible, but leaks can also occur at concealed unions, elbows or the valve body behind the finished surface. If the head stops dripping normally but a damp patch appears on the other side of the wall, beneath the shower or on the ceiling below, that is a different problem. Watch whether the dampness appears only while the shower is running. A front-facing cartridge repair will not cure a leaking concealed connection. Conversely, there is no reason to open tiles merely because the shower head drips for a long time after use. The pattern should decide the investigation. When requesting a quote, mention any staining outside the shower area as well as the visible drip, because that may change the likely access and scope of the work.
This page is general guidance about why does my shower keep dripping after it is turned off; the cause in an individual property depends on the actual plumbing arrangement.