Personal hygiene is exactly that. Personal. There’s no routine that works for everyone. But some of its features are more universal than others.
Just a few days ago, a woman sparked a heated debate after revealing she only showers three times a week.
She didn’t think it was something out of the ordinary until the topic randomly came up when she and some of her friends were chatting about their beauty habits. They said her number is way too low.
Unsure of what to make of their talk, the woman made a post on the popular forum Mumsnet, asking if its users also believed she’s being disgusting.
How often do you shower?
Image credits: No Revisions (not an actual photo)
This woman thought three times per week was enough, but her friends are beginning to change her mind
Image credits: Nathan Dumlao (not an actual photo)
About two-thirds of Americans shower daily. In Australia, it’s over 80%. But in China, for example, around half of people report bathing only twice a week.
But why? Robert H. Shmerling, MD, who is the former clinical chief of the division of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and current member of the corresponding faculty in medicine at Harvard Medical School, says the intuitive answer “because it’s healthier than showering less often” isn’t even the real reason.
“For many — perhaps most — the daily shower is more about habit and societal norms than health,” the doctor explained. “Perhaps that’s why the frequency of bathing or showering varies so much from country to country.”
Many believe this number is perfectly normal and healthy
Besides considering it healthier, people also choose to shower daily for a few other reasons, including:
- concerns about body odor;
- help waking up;
- a morning routine that may include working out.
“Each of these has merit, especially considering that personal or work relationships can be jeopardized by complaints about body odor or personal hygiene,” Shmerling added. “But what is considered acceptable in this regard varies from culture to culture. And some (perhaps a lot) of what we do when it comes to cleaning habits is influenced heavily by marketing. Ever notice that directions on shampoo bottles often say ‘lather, rinse, repeat’? There is no compelling reason to wash your hair twice with each shower, but it does sell more shampoo if everyone follows these directions.”
Showering too often can actually be more harmful than beneficial. Normal skin maintains a healthy layer of oil and a balance of “good” bacteria and other microorganisms. Washing and scrubbing remove these, especially if the water is hot. As a result:
- Skin may become dry, irritated, or itchy;
- Dry, cracked skin may allow bacteria and allergens to breach the barrier skin is supposed to provide, allowing skin infections and allergic reactions to occur;
- Antibacterial soaps can actually kill off normal bacteria. This upsets the balance of microorganisms on the skin and encourages the emergence of hardier, less friendly organisms that are more resistant to antibiotics;
- Our immune systems need a certain amount of stimulation by normal microorganisms, dirt, and other environmental exposures in order to create protective antibodies and “immune memory.” This is one reason why some pediatricians and dermatologists recommend against daily baths for kids. Frequent baths or showers throughout a lifetime may reduce the ability of the immune system to do its job.
But some were taken aback by the confession and thought it was not enough
Being too conservative and spreading your showers too wide apart, however, can also be harmful to your body.
“Aside from odor, you’ll need to be concerned about a host of different skin issues like acne, irritation, flare-ups of existing skin conditions, and even yeast or fungal infections,” Michele Green, MD, and New York City-based cosmetic dermatologist said. “Acne forms when there is a blockage and inflammation of sebaceous follicles, not only on the face, but on the chest and back as well. Shower too little and there’s greater potential for acne-causing bacteria to become trapped inside the pores.” To clear up any body skin breakouts, you’ll want to shower more often than you are now, using a loofah to remove the buildup of dead skin cells and keep the pores clear. Dr. Green adds that it’s important to rinse the loofah and hang it to dry between uses to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Bottom line is, while the importance of personal hygiene can’t be understated, everyone’s skin is different, and we all need to figure out what works for us.
But with that being said, it sounds like the author of the post may have got shamed unnecessarily!
But others said the actual number doesn’t matter as long as you stay clean
I wonder if the "3 times a week is gross" people think washing up your intimate parts=shower. Do they think people who shower less often don't wash up and change their underware every day? That's the only reason I can think of why someone would be this judgmental about it. Showering too often can be bad for your skin and hair. 3 times a week is plenty if you don't have bad BO. If you shower daily, more power to you, but calling people who don't gross is stupid af.
It depends massively on climate, location, and your own genetics. When I lived in Wales in winter it was cold and damp and you could definitely get away with showering 3 times a week (or even less if you really weren't doing much 👀). My house was routinely under 10°c so if I wasn't exercising then I wouldn't smell. Versus living through a Japanese summer- so hot so humid! I would shower 2 times a day at least, often cold showers too, and change clothes a lot. Some people sweat more, some people sweat less, some people have a gene for BO that's stronger than others, and some people have sensitive skin that can be damaged by excessive washing. Now, living in England but with central heating, going to the gym regularly, cycling to work; I shower 4 to 5 times a week and wash my hair two of those times
Yes it depends so much. On the climate, the job you have, excersise you do and many other factors. BO is the smell of old sweat, that means someone was sweating before, hasn't washed in between and now you smell those bacteria. Some fabrics are smelly, some aren't. Someone can be dirty without having BO, someone can be clean and have some BO (depending on diet, clothes, situations). And also people smell different depending on where they live and what they eat and drink. If you're born and raised in Europe for example and meet someone from the mediterranean you might think they smell bad (and vice versa). People tend to like smells they are used to and tend to think "odd" smells are bad smells. Oh and also change of clothes. Many teenage boys (not to be predjudiced, but for example) will shower and put on the clothes they wore for the last 3 days. Their body is clean, but the clothes stink. Similar things for all sorts of different situations
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Depends and is personal. I don't shower every day, I have a sensitive, very dry skin. I shower every other day in lukewarm water so I shower fast too :D. If you have a very physical job then yes, by all means shower daily. Who cares.
Every single dermatologist on this earth agrees: showering every day is just plain bad for you (and the environment).
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You don't have to shower every day. In fact it's not even good for you to shower every day. Not showering is not the same as not taking care of your body or being gross at all. These "ewww" people have never heard of soapbars and washcloths?
Lola is pretty judgemental and nasty; the irony of her judging others while being simultaneously awful.
Showering everyday is actually terrible for your micro biome. It strips your skin of all your natural oils n bacteria that keep your skin hydrated/healthy. We didn't even have soap until a few decades ago when some assholes decided to make some $$. then since soap dried out your skin they started selling lotion n so on n so forth. it's all a con. All of the products. Showering everyday. It's all super wasteful n does more harm than good. I don't use soap. I shower 2-3x a week (extra on my period) I rarely get BO, I went from having back acne n horrible cystic acne to not having a single pimple in over 5 yrs since I started this routine. I only wash my hair 1x a week. My hair never looks greasy or stinks. Since I'm not stripping my scalp of it's oils every day it's not overproducing said oils to keep up. Ppl who think it's gross are the same ppl who spend thousands on skincare products, dermatologists & hair products. They're the same ppl wasting SO MUCH h20.. for what?
I do wear lush body spray n their aromaco deodorant during the summer time since I do still sweat obviously but because they're both made up of like 6 ingredients total, all which are specifically made to work WITH your body's natural oils.. it's like I'm wearing nothing at all. Also, the armpits on my shirts no longer turn yellow, I no longer get dingy stains there either... it's incredible how our bodies are like.... made to exist in the world...... without products that were only invented in the last 80 years. N how when you let them do what they're supposed to.... they work more efficiently n it costs next to nothing to do so.
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I have head to toe eczema and the rest of my skin is dry as the Sahara. If I showered every single day, my skin would likely fall off my body.
Me to. I have to use special soap the doctor prescribes, no hot showers, no more than 5 minutes and not more often than once in two days. But I think a lot of these people complaining forgot washcloths exist. I wash myself twice a day, but can't shower that often
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I mean, seriously.... how is this a debate?? Who really cares? She's showering. How many times someone bathes a week shouldn't be made into first world problems.
Any dermatologist will tell you that showering every day is not good for your skin. It's also wasteful. And if you don't live in a place where you sweat like crazy every day, you will absolutely not feel icky. A wipedown with a washcloth every day is perfectly sufficient.
@lola, I’m really sorry that your sense of self is so low that you fail to see the normalcy of differing societies, bodies, and abilities. I send you patience, kindness, and a mirror.
Unless you live somewhere painfully hot, anyone showering twice a day has something like OCD.
Try once working in a professional kitchen....
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If you live in cool-dry country, I guess it's ok to have a shower 3x a week. But live in hot-humid country, I often feel for showering 3x a day.
I think her friends are judgemental assholes with a complex! Like you didn't have a problem with her smelling or "looking gross" before! Also if your going out of your way to find time to shower when you have a new born baby I would say your the one that must stink and need to do it!
During a general workweek I shower 2-3 times a week. Never had a complaint in health or from colleagues. I'm never sick, and have no bad skin or hair conditions. If i did sweat due to sports or whatever reason, i will surely bathe or shower. Ofcourse I change underwear and socks daily, and wash my hands before and after feeding myself or my kids, or after changing diapers or sticky faces. But the 'full on body' wash, only 2-3 times a week. Then again, if i would like in a humid or hot place, it would be different.
This is the thing; most westerners live a very sedentary lifestyle, go from climate controlled office to climate controlled home, use deodorant, and wear fresh clothes every day.
Load More Replies... I don’t shower daily. It saves water, and I don’t work in a position that involves heavy labor. Most folks know their own body, and take care of it appropriately. There are folks who neglect their own body, and that’s for other reasons. But the average person who skips a few showers a week is TOTALLY FINE! 🤦🏽♀️
I think they grossly underestimated. Most people spend more than 2 minutes in the shower itself. I know I do. The whole process surrounding showering is more than that, even. For me, that's a few minutes of non-shower time. Strip off. Put clothes in hamper or store whatever can be worn again. Then shower. Towel off. Get fresh clothes and put them on. After that, most people have to do something with their hair, too. Mine is pretty low maintenance but that's still a minute or so if I let my hair air dry. Maybe you also need to do some skin care, lotion up. It's hard for me to complete my regular routine in under 20 minutes.
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Well, don't know about showering, but using DD, DC and OH is surely disgusting.
Absolutely! And there was no point to her using them because she had to define them, thereby making the words longer.
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I don't mind the amount of times people showers as long as they don't smell. I LOVE to shower and do it daily. I don't think is a 1st world thing as it said in one of the comments (I live in a developing country) but as someone else said, I think it depends more on the weather of the place you live. I had a friend that made fun of me because I only wash my hair once a week but she had to wash hers daily. It depends on the circumstances of each of us. It doesn’t make us automatically dirty because we do things different from the others. No one wants to smell! and if 3 times a week works for her I think is great (she's also saving water).
I have chronic illnesses, often very little energy and I'm mostly housebound: I leave home to do the shopping (until Aldi starts doing deliveries) and to attend appointments. No way I can manage a daily shower; baby wipes freshen up perfectly. Washing my hair is something I hate doing because of chronic fatigue; washing means styling unless I want to look like a scarecrow and that's a lot of effort. I always need a rest after shower so can't go shopping AND shower on the same day.
I have similar problems to you, I shower twice a week because I need to rest for several hours after each shower.
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I wash up intimate parts every day and clean my face morning and night, but only do a full shower on days I work out (4 times/week). There is no need to shower every day and it's bad for your skin. It's not gross at all.
I can relate to this problem. I have a friend who showers probably 3x a week (I'm not totally sure), rarely bathes her children, does not ever brush her children's teeth, and does not ever wipe her children's faces with a napkin or require them to wipe their faces after they eat. They don't wash their hands enough, they don't comb their hair, and their house is dirty. Now, you guys would be calling me nasty because I don't shower every single day, but definitely in the 4-7x a week range, and I always brush my teeth, brush my hair, and wash my hands. It's really hard to be friends with someone who has different hygiene habits. I have tried to bring it up gently, but I can't talk to her about it without starting a huge argument. She doesn't understand why I don't want to meet up in person, but it's because I am grossed out by these habits, and I am scared to tell her. I hope these ladies can maintain their friendship and learn from each other.
You seem to be implying that people who shower less often also neglect daily hygiene such as brushing teeth, which is silly. Your friend a slob in general and nothing in OPs post implies she's the same. Her friends clearly didn't suspect she showers 3x a week, so it's safe to assume she's not smelly or dirty.
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I used to play semi-pro football/soccer and so I have showered every day, pretty much all my life. It's very rare that I decide not to shower, but to each their own.
Also, the ignorance in these comments saying showers are a 1st world " thing"?! Natives ( Indigenous people) set the example keeping themselves clean in rivers, using herbs and such.
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Did anyone else have to stop reading the post because the writer kept abbreviating words, but then explaining what the abbreviations meant in brackets, thereby expending more effort than it would have taken to just type out the full words to begin with? Just me?
Unusual but if none of her friends picked up on it before she told them, then her hygiene levels should be decent. Hopefully she won't enforce her lifestyle choices on her children if they ever want a change.
Is anyone going to mention that "taking a shower" and "wash" isn't necessarily the same thing? In America, it looks like people have no clue at how to wash without a shower. I grew up in Europe, where most grandparents are still able to explain how to wash "at the sink", which means standing in front of the sink and wash with soap and a washcloth (by the way, European washclothes are impossible to find in North America!). You can wash head to toes at the sink with a washclothes, it takes 2 minutes and use less water. You can also do a quick wash, washing what usually gets dirty/smelly (face, armpits, groin and butt) which is perfectly fine when you haven't sweat profusely earlier. It's just common knowledge... everywhere on Earth except in North America, where wasting is the rule.
I've heard the quick wash up called a Ho Bath. My mom called it something less vulgar but her term is escaping me at the moment.
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I shower around 3 times per week. Sometimes more, sometimes less when I'm hyperfocusing on something for days and don't notice the time passing by. I tried showering every day, but ye that's not for me. I don't even wash my hair every time, maybe once per week, or more if my scalp feels nasty or the hair is greasy, but usually I can go a whole week without washing my hair. With the current shampoo and conditioner that I'm using (coconut scented head&shoulders) it even smells nice and clean for the whole week! I'll always take a shower before a doctor's/therapy appointments though (and yet a doctor once wrote that my hygiene level is questionable?! When I went there fresh out of the shower and ofc clean clothes on?!)
I work AT a gym, and I work out 5 to 6 days a week. As such - I absolutely shower daily. Hair washing is a different story. I wash my hair 2 or 3 days a week. A body shower takes 3 mins. Hair Washing is a wholeeeeee production.
I shower every other day unless I get sweaty or otherwise gross. I think showering more is unnecessary (unless you have b.o. issues, but there's products that help you with bacteria issues) If you shower more you are more prone to skin and conditions like dry or oily skin and hair.
K have a confession. I don't have the energy to shower more than once a week. I hate it.
I bath every 2-3 days because if I bath everyday, my skin would dry out and my hair becomes super frizzy. Taking a shower 3x a week isn't super gross unless you're one that sweats so much.
I have a 5 level system if cleanliness; Hygiene State 0 (HS0) is after a maintenance shower (hair washed, shaved bits shaved etc), HS1 is normal state after a 2 min shower and lasts up to 8 hours, then HS 3. HS 3 is fine for weekend, or might end up at HS3 after gym etc. HS4 (no shower for 15 hour+) or HS5 (no shower for 24+ hours) are problematic for my mental health. Can be modified by adding T (cleaned teeth) and F (flannel or babywipe wash down) which can push back into a HS3+.... So why do I have this? So I can plan what I need to do. I know I am not in a good state around HS4 (like camping or a long flight) so I find ways to stay in my safer headspace.
The only thing that's gross in this conversation are those who think they need to shower every day and are so judgmental of those who know how to use a sink and cleanse themselves without using gallons of water in the process.
When I was in the military and afterward when I worked a corporate job, I showered every day. Mostly because I need to shave in the shower or my face looks like I was in a fight with a Honey Badger. For the past 20 years I have been working at home and I shower/shave every other day. I still miss bidet like we had in Italy. Over there I showered less because you can be clean without bath or shower. But that was before I had to shave every day.
I shower every day because it feels good and I prefer to be clean. Any sort of physical activity that results in sweating means you should shower that day. It's weird to me that people don't want to be clean.
Yes! To those who think showers mean mandatory lathering and washing their hair, you can lather only the critical spots while you only wet the rest of your body.
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I think it's depends on the climatic conditions too. If you are living in a hot region like India and sweat a lot in summer then you should daily take bath. Indians usually take bath 2 times day in summer because of sweat and the smell that comes with it. But in winter not everyone takes bath daily.
I dont shower daily. I did as a teen, but in my late 20s I dont end up sweating really throughout the day. I shower every other day unless I do physical labor then I definitely shower. But most of the time it's every other. I've noticed it really helps keep my hair and skin from drying out. In fact I'm pretty sure it's not recommended to shower daily or twice a day (yall crazy). Never had an issue with smell, in fact most people tell me I smell good. Just make sure to do all of your hygiene routines daily and you're fine. You're the person who knows your body best, dont listen to the stinky folk who feel they need to shower twice a day, they clearly have issues with profusely sweating or are shitting themselves.
I live in Greece. During the summer months sometimes I shower three times a day.
I shower everyday but I don't have a problem with her only shower 3 times a week. I mean it's her body and as long as she still shower and keep herself clean, I don't have any problem with that. I have a friend who only shower 1 time a year and he smell really bad. He jumped into the lake and make all this fishes drunk..
i knew a guy who thought it was weird that i didn't shower every day because he had to, otherwise he would get this "film" on his skin. i was like uhh that doesn't happen to me. if you're not sweating or working outside or something there really isn't a reason to shower daily.
I have a sensitive nose and oily skin, I can't imagine not showering every day, including hair. You people don't even know how much you smell to a person with a nose like mine. Your oily hair is one of the worst. Armpits and private parts, feet, are obvious. But the neglected parts near head - ugh. Tragedy. It is really a problem and it really makes you lose a lot in the eyes of cleaner people. Old people think they don't have to shower that often. But they smell of old age and often of urine. They usually can't smell it anymore, but others can. Please, don't lie to yourselves. Thake care of your personal hygiene! You DO stink if you don't shower.
Shower gel/body wash is NOT soap--it is detergent. If you suffer from tight, dry skin following any exposure to water, try actual soap made via either cold process or hot process. A bar will cost $6-$12 but can literally lasts months with proper storage.
If you are not going anywhere and you live alone or you wash up every other day, every other day is fine.
I have eczema, if I showered daily my skin would be cracked and bleeding constantly... no thanks... I feel perfectly clean showering three times a week.
I used to shower every day, but lately I've taken to spending a day or two (or three, not all in a row) just hanging out in my jammies. I don't think I've ever smelled of BO in my life, but I do make sure to use deodorant daily regardless. Unless I need to leave the house, who cares?
I'm single, no sex, no periods, regular potty habits. I shower about every other day. I also have very dry skin and I can definitely tell the difference if I shower more than that. Also, we're in a drought. I don't feel right about showering/bathing more than I need.
You are not expected to shower every day but, let's face it, sweat, smog, public transports, sex, sports, walking, the heaters. It's weird that these thing do not affect you. Please shower if you have a stupid corporate and community and family life like anyone else it is really uncommon that with this type of lives nowadays, you are not affected by the city enviroment.
I shower every morning. it's like my cup of coffee. Otherwise I smell and feel disgusting. People who don't think they smell, need to ask someone. Most of the time you can't smell your own stink, so have no idea of the person gagging behind them on public transport.
Since I was a child I always thought this was an incredibly private question. Real talk why do you care? People should use their brains. If you're working in mines or an athlete you need to shower every day... if you hardly broke out a sweat and sat in a clean house and showed yesterday you're probably okay. It's just a way to sell more water and sell more bath products. It's veen known for 10 years you shouldn't wash your hair every day. Also there's this thing called a CLOTH you can use to clean yourself you don't need to do a fill body shower if you got something on your leg.
I shower every other day and sometimes I wait for two days in between showers during the winter. Showering every day just seems wasteful and a lot to keep up with.
I live in Indonesia. Most of us take a bath twice a day. Morning before going to work/school. And afternoon after going back from work/school
if you work in the ( home) office, dont sweat much, dont excercise and it is not summer there is no need to shower everyday. i shower every other day or when i feel i need to ( excercise, periods, too hot weather) . i used to shower every day but the more i showered he more greasy my hair was to the point that i would need to wash my hair twice a day to make it look representative enough. i stopped it. every other day is enough also your skin has better quality then. it depends on what you do during the day
Ummm, DingDongDenny, I have no idea where you live, but in the US (at least most of the US) showers were completely standard in every house ion the 70's/80's. Perhaps you're thinking about the 1870's/1880's. Per the US census bureau even in 1940, 56% of all homes had showers.
I shower/take a bath usually three, sometimes four times a week. I just got out of the shower half an hour ago and my skin actually hurts from being dry in some places, despite my skin not usually being in the dry side, but showering just kills it. I even prefer baths, with some oil in it, much more bearable. Only time I shower several times a day/every day are the three weeks of real summer around here and when sweaty.
Calling your kids "DC (darling children)" is so cringe. Also, if you have to put the brackets in, like you did for "oh (other half)", just say the full phrase.
All of my friends bathed their kids every day and complained about their kids' skin being very irritated, red and with rashes all the time, they bought all kinds of expensive cosmetics trying to solve these issues on their necks, hands, armpits, bottoms, feet, etc. I bathed my kids 2-3 times per week, (but washed their bottoms on every diaper change) and they never had a rash in their life. I never had to use any kind of expensive oils or products for their skin, it was naturally soft and rash-free all over. Coincidence? I don't think so.
I was born in the '60s and grew up in the '70s. People didn't have showers in their houses. They had a bath once a week. And people definitely did not smell. This was because they knew how to have a strip wash at the sink every day. One basin of water to clean everywhere prone to developing an odour. Quicker than a shower, and uses much less water. The idea that either people shower every day *or* they stink (with no other options) is so effing ridiculous I despair.
"Generations before us didn't have showers, especially my parents" WELL GENERATIONS BEFORE US DIDN'T HAVE FOCKEN MODERN MEDICINE EITHER AND LOOK WHERE THEY ARE NOW plauge-61e...f61f8d.jpg 
It depends on your activity level but also depends on where you live. If you're out west, and/or using city water, I think it's an incredibly self-indulgent waste of water. Sorry, folks.
Harvard article: "there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times per week is plenty for most people" https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/showering-daily-is-it-necessary-2019062617193
My mom bathed my every second day, I shower every second day. My 10 year+ best friend is a daily shower kind of gall and she never realized. She too was grossed out, but she is also the one who has had skin issues related to overwashing.
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I shower once or twice a day, depends if I'm at work or at home, if it's summer or winter, etc. But I have to shower at least once a day, othewise I feel gross.
I shower daily, but it takes only about 5minutes. And honestly, if any of you don’t do it daily…I really really don’t care
Some people saying they don't shower everyday but they wash lets say they're bits and pieces everyday I find by the time you do that you would have been in and out of the shower quicker, also if you shower every day you don't need to be in it that long and I find it wakes you u in the morning and you feel better for it.
I shower every day. There are times when I shower at least 2 or 3 times a day: When it is had and work is heavy.
I have extremely dry skin, I can't shower every day, pretty judgie. Also don't wash my hair ever more thank twice a week and my hair is so much healthier... Add the fact that my hair is long and thick, hate blowdrying so i let it dry on it's own, takes hours to be honest.
If I'm not leaving the house (since Covid that's 95% of the time) then I might not have a shower but still generally every morning.
I shower everyday just to be on the safe side. I don't want to be one of those smelly people who is oblivious to their own stink. People are usually too polite to tell someone they smell and you get used to your own smell throughout the day, so if you've ever caught a smell of yourself, chances are, you smelt bad to other people for a while.
It depends. If you have any issues that may have to do with weak hygiene, showering more than daily for a limited time may be advisable. If you work hard (construction or so), do sports, generally get sweaty or dirty, shower no matter what ... if you don't sweat much (like me), washing your hair every two days and two showers a week can keep you afloat at least, but to me, it doesn't feel that clean.
Australia in summer. I shower at least twice a day (second one being a very quick one).
"I only shower when I smell" omfg when you start feeling your own smell others probably throw up around you.
Your sense of smell must be pretty bad. Most people can tell when they start stinking even a little.
Load More Replies... I wonder if the "3 times a week is gross" people think washing up your intimate parts=shower. Do they think people who shower less often don't wash up and change their underware every day? That's the only reason I can think of why someone would be this judgmental about it. Showering too often can be bad for your skin and hair. 3 times a week is plenty if you don't have bad BO. If you shower daily, more power to you, but calling people who don't gross is stupid af.
It depends massively on climate, location, and your own genetics. When I lived in Wales in winter it was cold and damp and you could definitely get away with showering 3 times a week (or even less if you really weren't doing much 👀). My house was routinely under 10°c so if I wasn't exercising then I wouldn't smell. Versus living through a Japanese summer- so hot so humid! I would shower 2 times a day at least, often cold showers too, and change clothes a lot. Some people sweat more, some people sweat less, some people have a gene for BO that's stronger than others, and some people have sensitive skin that can be damaged by excessive washing. Now, living in England but with central heating, going to the gym regularly, cycling to work; I shower 4 to 5 times a week and wash my hair two of those times
Yes it depends so much. On the climate, the job you have, excersise you do and many other factors. BO is the smell of old sweat, that means someone was sweating before, hasn't washed in between and now you smell those bacteria. Some fabrics are smelly, some aren't. Someone can be dirty without having BO, someone can be clean and have some BO (depending on diet, clothes, situations). And also people smell different depending on where they live and what they eat and drink. If you're born and raised in Europe for example and meet someone from the mediterranean you might think they smell bad (and vice versa). People tend to like smells they are used to and tend to think "odd" smells are bad smells. Oh and also change of clothes. Many teenage boys (not to be predjudiced, but for example) will shower and put on the clothes they wore for the last 3 days. Their body is clean, but the clothes stink. Similar things for all sorts of different situations
Load More Replies... Depends and is personal. I don't shower every day, I have a sensitive, very dry skin. I shower every other day in lukewarm water so I shower fast too :D. If you have a very physical job then yes, by all means shower daily. Who cares.
Every single dermatologist on this earth agrees: showering every day is just plain bad for you (and the environment).
Load More Replies... You don't have to shower every day. In fact it's not even good for you to shower every day. Not showering is not the same as not taking care of your body or being gross at all. These "ewww" people have never heard of soapbars and washcloths?
Lola is pretty judgemental and nasty; the irony of her judging others while being simultaneously awful.
Showering everyday is actually terrible for your micro biome. It strips your skin of all your natural oils n bacteria that keep your skin hydrated/healthy. We didn't even have soap until a few decades ago when some assholes decided to make some $$. then since soap dried out your skin they started selling lotion n so on n so forth. it's all a con. All of the products. Showering everyday. It's all super wasteful n does more harm than good. I don't use soap. I shower 2-3x a week (extra on my period) I rarely get BO, I went from having back acne n horrible cystic acne to not having a single pimple in over 5 yrs since I started this routine. I only wash my hair 1x a week. My hair never looks greasy or stinks. Since I'm not stripping my scalp of it's oils every day it's not overproducing said oils to keep up. Ppl who think it's gross are the same ppl who spend thousands on skincare products, dermatologists & hair products. They're the same ppl wasting SO MUCH h20.. for what?
I do wear lush body spray n their aromaco deodorant during the summer time since I do still sweat obviously but because they're both made up of like 6 ingredients total, all which are specifically made to work WITH your body's natural oils.. it's like I'm wearing nothing at all. Also, the armpits on my shirts no longer turn yellow, I no longer get dingy stains there either... it's incredible how our bodies are like.... made to exist in the world...... without products that were only invented in the last 80 years. N how when you let them do what they're supposed to.... they work more efficiently n it costs next to nothing to do so.
Load More Replies... I have head to toe eczema and the rest of my skin is dry as the Sahara. If I showered every single day, my skin would likely fall off my body.
Me to. I have to use special soap the doctor prescribes, no hot showers, no more than 5 minutes and not more often than once in two days. But I think a lot of these people complaining forgot washcloths exist. I wash myself twice a day, but can't shower that often
Load More Replies... I mean, seriously.... how is this a debate?? Who really cares? She's showering. How many times someone bathes a week shouldn't be made into first world problems.
Any dermatologist will tell you that showering every day is not good for your skin. It's also wasteful. And if you don't live in a place where you sweat like crazy every day, you will absolutely not feel icky. A wipedown with a washcloth every day is perfectly sufficient.
@lola, I’m really sorry that your sense of self is so low that you fail to see the normalcy of differing societies, bodies, and abilities. I send you patience, kindness, and a mirror.
Unless you live somewhere painfully hot, anyone showering twice a day has something like OCD.
Try once working in a professional kitchen....
Load More Replies... If you live in cool-dry country, I guess it's ok to have a shower 3x a week. But live in hot-humid country, I often feel for showering 3x a day.
I think her friends are judgemental assholes with a complex! Like you didn't have a problem with her smelling or "looking gross" before! Also if your going out of your way to find time to shower when you have a new born baby I would say your the one that must stink and need to do it!
During a general workweek I shower 2-3 times a week. Never had a complaint in health or from colleagues. I'm never sick, and have no bad skin or hair conditions. If i did sweat due to sports or whatever reason, i will surely bathe or shower. Ofcourse I change underwear and socks daily, and wash my hands before and after feeding myself or my kids, or after changing diapers or sticky faces. But the 'full on body' wash, only 2-3 times a week. Then again, if i would like in a humid or hot place, it would be different.
This is the thing; most westerners live a very sedentary lifestyle, go from climate controlled office to climate controlled home, use deodorant, and wear fresh clothes every day.
Load More Replies... I don’t shower daily. It saves water, and I don’t work in a position that involves heavy labor. Most folks know their own body, and take care of it appropriately. There are folks who neglect their own body, and that’s for other reasons. But the average person who skips a few showers a week is TOTALLY FINE! 🤦🏽♀️
I think they grossly underestimated. Most people spend more than 2 minutes in the shower itself. I know I do. The whole process surrounding showering is more than that, even. For me, that's a few minutes of non-shower time. Strip off. Put clothes in hamper or store whatever can be worn again. Then shower. Towel off. Get fresh clothes and put them on. After that, most people have to do something with their hair, too. Mine is pretty low maintenance but that's still a minute or so if I let my hair air dry. Maybe you also need to do some skin care, lotion up. It's hard for me to complete my regular routine in under 20 minutes.
Load More Replies... Well, don't know about showering, but using DD, DC and OH is surely disgusting.
Absolutely! And there was no point to her using them because she had to define them, thereby making the words longer.
Load More Replies... I don't mind the amount of times people showers as long as they don't smell. I LOVE to shower and do it daily. I don't think is a 1st world thing as it said in one of the comments (I live in a developing country) but as someone else said, I think it depends more on the weather of the place you live. I had a friend that made fun of me because I only wash my hair once a week but she had to wash hers daily. It depends on the circumstances of each of us. It doesn’t make us automatically dirty because we do things different from the others. No one wants to smell! and if 3 times a week works for her I think is great (she's also saving water).
I have chronic illnesses, often very little energy and I'm mostly housebound: I leave home to do the shopping (until Aldi starts doing deliveries) and to attend appointments. No way I can manage a daily shower; baby wipes freshen up perfectly. Washing my hair is something I hate doing because of chronic fatigue; washing means styling unless I want to look like a scarecrow and that's a lot of effort. I always need a rest after shower so can't go shopping AND shower on the same day.
I have similar problems to you, I shower twice a week because I need to rest for several hours after each shower.
Load More Replies... I wash up intimate parts every day and clean my face morning and night, but only do a full shower on days I work out (4 times/week). There is no need to shower every day and it's bad for your skin. It's not gross at all.
I can relate to this problem. I have a friend who showers probably 3x a week (I'm not totally sure), rarely bathes her children, does not ever brush her children's teeth, and does not ever wipe her children's faces with a napkin or require them to wipe their faces after they eat. They don't wash their hands enough, they don't comb their hair, and their house is dirty. Now, you guys would be calling me nasty because I don't shower every single day, but definitely in the 4-7x a week range, and I always brush my teeth, brush my hair, and wash my hands. It's really hard to be friends with someone who has different hygiene habits. I have tried to bring it up gently, but I can't talk to her about it without starting a huge argument. She doesn't understand why I don't want to meet up in person, but it's because I am grossed out by these habits, and I am scared to tell her. I hope these ladies can maintain their friendship and learn from each other.
You seem to be implying that people who shower less often also neglect daily hygiene such as brushing teeth, which is silly. Your friend a slob in general and nothing in OPs post implies she's the same. Her friends clearly didn't suspect she showers 3x a week, so it's safe to assume she's not smelly or dirty.
Load More Replies... I used to play semi-pro football/soccer and so I have showered every day, pretty much all my life. It's very rare that I decide not to shower, but to each their own.
Also, the ignorance in these comments saying showers are a 1st world " thing"?! Natives ( Indigenous people) set the example keeping themselves clean in rivers, using herbs and such.
Load More Replies... Did anyone else have to stop reading the post because the writer kept abbreviating words, but then explaining what the abbreviations meant in brackets, thereby expending more effort than it would have taken to just type out the full words to begin with? Just me?
Unusual but if none of her friends picked up on it before she told them, then her hygiene levels should be decent. Hopefully she won't enforce her lifestyle choices on her children if they ever want a change.
Is anyone going to mention that "taking a shower" and "wash" isn't necessarily the same thing? In America, it looks like people have no clue at how to wash without a shower. I grew up in Europe, where most grandparents are still able to explain how to wash "at the sink", which means standing in front of the sink and wash with soap and a washcloth (by the way, European washclothes are impossible to find in North America!). You can wash head to toes at the sink with a washclothes, it takes 2 minutes and use less water. You can also do a quick wash, washing what usually gets dirty/smelly (face, armpits, groin and butt) which is perfectly fine when you haven't sweat profusely earlier. It's just common knowledge... everywhere on Earth except in North America, where wasting is the rule.
I've heard the quick wash up called a Ho Bath. My mom called it something less vulgar but her term is escaping me at the moment.
Load More Replies... I shower around 3 times per week. Sometimes more, sometimes less when I'm hyperfocusing on something for days and don't notice the time passing by. I tried showering every day, but ye that's not for me. I don't even wash my hair every time, maybe once per week, or more if my scalp feels nasty or the hair is greasy, but usually I can go a whole week without washing my hair. With the current shampoo and conditioner that I'm using (coconut scented head&shoulders) it even smells nice and clean for the whole week! I'll always take a shower before a doctor's/therapy appointments though (and yet a doctor once wrote that my hygiene level is questionable?! When I went there fresh out of the shower and ofc clean clothes on?!)
I work AT a gym, and I work out 5 to 6 days a week. As such - I absolutely shower daily. Hair washing is a different story. I wash my hair 2 or 3 days a week. A body shower takes 3 mins. Hair Washing is a wholeeeeee production.
I shower every other day unless I get sweaty or otherwise gross. I think showering more is unnecessary (unless you have b.o. issues, but there's products that help you with bacteria issues) If you shower more you are more prone to skin and conditions like dry or oily skin and hair.
K have a confession. I don't have the energy to shower more than once a week. I hate it.
I bath every 2-3 days because if I bath everyday, my skin would dry out and my hair becomes super frizzy. Taking a shower 3x a week isn't super gross unless you're one that sweats so much.
I have a 5 level system if cleanliness; Hygiene State 0 (HS0) is after a maintenance shower (hair washed, shaved bits shaved etc), HS1 is normal state after a 2 min shower and lasts up to 8 hours, then HS 3. HS 3 is fine for weekend, or might end up at HS3 after gym etc. HS4 (no shower for 15 hour+) or HS5 (no shower for 24+ hours) are problematic for my mental health. Can be modified by adding T (cleaned teeth) and F (flannel or babywipe wash down) which can push back into a HS3+.... So why do I have this? So I can plan what I need to do. I know I am not in a good state around HS4 (like camping or a long flight) so I find ways to stay in my safer headspace.
The only thing that's gross in this conversation are those who think they need to shower every day and are so judgmental of those who know how to use a sink and cleanse themselves without using gallons of water in the process.
When I was in the military and afterward when I worked a corporate job, I showered every day. Mostly because I need to shave in the shower or my face looks like I was in a fight with a Honey Badger. For the past 20 years I have been working at home and I shower/shave every other day. I still miss bidet like we had in Italy. Over there I showered less because you can be clean without bath or shower. But that was before I had to shave every day.
I shower every day because it feels good and I prefer to be clean. Any sort of physical activity that results in sweating means you should shower that day. It's weird to me that people don't want to be clean.
Yes! To those who think showers mean mandatory lathering and washing their hair, you can lather only the critical spots while you only wet the rest of your body.
Load More Replies... I think it's depends on the climatic conditions too. If you are living in a hot region like India and sweat a lot in summer then you should daily take bath. Indians usually take bath 2 times day in summer because of sweat and the smell that comes with it. But in winter not everyone takes bath daily.
I dont shower daily. I did as a teen, but in my late 20s I dont end up sweating really throughout the day. I shower every other day unless I do physical labor then I definitely shower. But most of the time it's every other. I've noticed it really helps keep my hair and skin from drying out. In fact I'm pretty sure it's not recommended to shower daily or twice a day (yall crazy). Never had an issue with smell, in fact most people tell me I smell good. Just make sure to do all of your hygiene routines daily and you're fine. You're the person who knows your body best, dont listen to the stinky folk who feel they need to shower twice a day, they clearly have issues with profusely sweating or are shitting themselves.
I live in Greece. During the summer months sometimes I shower three times a day.
I shower everyday but I don't have a problem with her only shower 3 times a week. I mean it's her body and as long as she still shower and keep herself clean, I don't have any problem with that. I have a friend who only shower 1 time a year and he smell really bad. He jumped into the lake and make all this fishes drunk..
i knew a guy who thought it was weird that i didn't shower every day because he had to, otherwise he would get this "film" on his skin. i was like uhh that doesn't happen to me. if you're not sweating or working outside or something there really isn't a reason to shower daily.
I have a sensitive nose and oily skin, I can't imagine not showering every day, including hair. You people don't even know how much you smell to a person with a nose like mine. Your oily hair is one of the worst. Armpits and private parts, feet, are obvious. But the neglected parts near head - ugh. Tragedy. It is really a problem and it really makes you lose a lot in the eyes of cleaner people. Old people think they don't have to shower that often. But they smell of old age and often of urine. They usually can't smell it anymore, but others can. Please, don't lie to yourselves. Thake care of your personal hygiene! You DO stink if you don't shower.
Shower gel/body wash is NOT soap--it is detergent. If you suffer from tight, dry skin following any exposure to water, try actual soap made via either cold process or hot process. A bar will cost $6-$12 but can literally lasts months with proper storage.
If you are not going anywhere and you live alone or you wash up every other day, every other day is fine.
I have eczema, if I showered daily my skin would be cracked and bleeding constantly... no thanks... I feel perfectly clean showering three times a week.
I used to shower every day, but lately I've taken to spending a day or two (or three, not all in a row) just hanging out in my jammies. I don't think I've ever smelled of BO in my life, but I do make sure to use deodorant daily regardless. Unless I need to leave the house, who cares?
I'm single, no sex, no periods, regular potty habits. I shower about every other day. I also have very dry skin and I can definitely tell the difference if I shower more than that. Also, we're in a drought. I don't feel right about showering/bathing more than I need.
You are not expected to shower every day but, let's face it, sweat, smog, public transports, sex, sports, walking, the heaters. It's weird that these thing do not affect you. Please shower if you have a stupid corporate and community and family life like anyone else it is really uncommon that with this type of lives nowadays, you are not affected by the city enviroment.
I shower every morning. it's like my cup of coffee. Otherwise I smell and feel disgusting. People who don't think they smell, need to ask someone. Most of the time you can't smell your own stink, so have no idea of the person gagging behind them on public transport.
Since I was a child I always thought this was an incredibly private question. Real talk why do you care? People should use their brains. If you're working in mines or an athlete you need to shower every day... if you hardly broke out a sweat and sat in a clean house and showed yesterday you're probably okay. It's just a way to sell more water and sell more bath products. It's veen known for 10 years you shouldn't wash your hair every day. Also there's this thing called a CLOTH you can use to clean yourself you don't need to do a fill body shower if you got something on your leg.
I shower every other day and sometimes I wait for two days in between showers during the winter. Showering every day just seems wasteful and a lot to keep up with.
I live in Indonesia. Most of us take a bath twice a day. Morning before going to work/school. And afternoon after going back from work/school
if you work in the ( home) office, dont sweat much, dont excercise and it is not summer there is no need to shower everyday. i shower every other day or when i feel i need to ( excercise, periods, too hot weather) . i used to shower every day but the more i showered he more greasy my hair was to the point that i would need to wash my hair twice a day to make it look representative enough. i stopped it. every other day is enough also your skin has better quality then. it depends on what you do during the day
Ummm, DingDongDenny, I have no idea where you live, but in the US (at least most of the US) showers were completely standard in every house ion the 70's/80's. Perhaps you're thinking about the 1870's/1880's. Per the US census bureau even in 1940, 56% of all homes had showers.
I shower/take a bath usually three, sometimes four times a week. I just got out of the shower half an hour ago and my skin actually hurts from being dry in some places, despite my skin not usually being in the dry side, but showering just kills it. I even prefer baths, with some oil in it, much more bearable. Only time I shower several times a day/every day are the three weeks of real summer around here and when sweaty.
Calling your kids "DC (darling children)" is so cringe. Also, if you have to put the brackets in, like you did for "oh (other half)", just say the full phrase.
All of my friends bathed their kids every day and complained about their kids' skin being very irritated, red and with rashes all the time, they bought all kinds of expensive cosmetics trying to solve these issues on their necks, hands, armpits, bottoms, feet, etc. I bathed my kids 2-3 times per week, (but washed their bottoms on every diaper change) and they never had a rash in their life. I never had to use any kind of expensive oils or products for their skin, it was naturally soft and rash-free all over. Coincidence? I don't think so.
I was born in the '60s and grew up in the '70s. People didn't have showers in their houses. They had a bath once a week. And people definitely did not smell. This was because they knew how to have a strip wash at the sink every day. One basin of water to clean everywhere prone to developing an odour. Quicker than a shower, and uses much less water. The idea that either people shower every day *or* they stink (with no other options) is so effing ridiculous I despair.
"Generations before us didn't have showers, especially my parents" WELL GENERATIONS BEFORE US DIDN'T HAVE FOCKEN MODERN MEDICINE EITHER AND LOOK WHERE THEY ARE NOW plauge-61e...f61f8d.jpg
It depends on your activity level but also depends on where you live. If you're out west, and/or using city water, I think it's an incredibly self-indulgent waste of water. Sorry, folks.
Harvard article: "there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times per week is plenty for most people" https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/showering-daily-is-it-necessary-2019062617193
My mom bathed my every second day, I shower every second day. My 10 year+ best friend is a daily shower kind of gall and she never realized. She too was grossed out, but she is also the one who has had skin issues related to overwashing.
Load More Replies... I shower once or twice a day, depends if I'm at work or at home, if it's summer or winter, etc. But I have to shower at least once a day, othewise I feel gross.
I shower daily, but it takes only about 5minutes. And honestly, if any of you don’t do it daily…I really really don’t care
Some people saying they don't shower everyday but they wash lets say they're bits and pieces everyday I find by the time you do that you would have been in and out of the shower quicker, also if you shower every day you don't need to be in it that long and I find it wakes you u in the morning and you feel better for it.
I shower every day. There are times when I shower at least 2 or 3 times a day: When it is had and work is heavy.
I have extremely dry skin, I can't shower every day, pretty judgie. Also don't wash my hair ever more thank twice a week and my hair is so much healthier... Add the fact that my hair is long and thick, hate blowdrying so i let it dry on it's own, takes hours to be honest.
If I'm not leaving the house (since Covid that's 95% of the time) then I might not have a shower but still generally every morning.
I shower everyday just to be on the safe side. I don't want to be one of those smelly people who is oblivious to their own stink. People are usually too polite to tell someone they smell and you get used to your own smell throughout the day, so if you've ever caught a smell of yourself, chances are, you smelt bad to other people for a while.
It depends. If you have any issues that may have to do with weak hygiene, showering more than daily for a limited time may be advisable. If you work hard (construction or so), do sports, generally get sweaty or dirty, shower no matter what ... if you don't sweat much (like me), washing your hair every two days and two showers a week can keep you afloat at least, but to me, it doesn't feel that clean.
Australia in summer. I shower at least twice a day (second one being a very quick one).
"I only shower when I smell" omfg when you start feeling your own smell others probably throw up around you.
Your sense of smell must be pretty bad. Most people can tell when they start stinking even a little.
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