Experts Weigh In on Daily Bathing: Do You Really Need to Shower Every Day?

Experts Weigh In on Daily Bathing: Do You Really Need to Shower Every Day?

Experts have tackled the age-old question: Do you really need to shower every day? This discussion comes in light of celebrities like Jake Gyllenhaal and Mila Kunis revealing that they’ve been saying no to daily showers.

Environmentalist Donnachadh McCarthy explained to the BBC that the fear of being told we smell is the main reason why people wash every day.

“Why are we washing? Mostly because we’re afraid somebody else will tell us that we’re smelling,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy, author of “Prostitute State,” has embraced a unique lifestyle after spending time in the Amazon with the Yanomami people, opting to bathe just once a month to reduce his environmental impact. After spending time with the indigenous Yanomami people in the Amazon, McCarthy adopted their lifestyle and now opts for a sink wash every other morning, using a cloth to clean his body thoroughly.

Dr. Julie Russak, a Manhattan dermatologist, has previously highlighted that prolonged and daily showers can strip away the skin’s microbiome, which plays a vital role in protecting the skin and overall health. Chemist David Whitlock took this concept to the extreme by abstaining from showering for 12 years and instead spraying himself with beneficial bacteria to preserve his skin’s natural barrier.

Interestingly, while some individuals are embracing the idea of bathing less frequently, the general trend shows that people are actually showering more than ever before. A 2021 study conducted by Harvard Health found that 66% of Americans shower every day, and a 2005 report revealed that it is common for Brits to shower once or twice per day.

Dale Southerton, a Professor of Sociology of Consumption at the University of Bristol, attributes this increase in bathing frequency to the widespread availability of showers. Showers became a common feature in US homes in the 1920s and gained popularity in the UK during the 1950s.

Professor Kristen Gram-Hanssen from Aalborg University in Denmark emphasized that daily showers are not primarily driven by health reasons but rather by societal norms. The cultural shift towards daily bathing has occurred over the past century, almost accidentally, as showers became a standard part of our routines.

So, do you really need to shower every day? The experts suggest that it may not be essential for everyone and that other factors, such as personal hygiene, lifestyle, and environmental considerations, should be taken into account when deciding on bathing frequency.

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