Generally, she says "you should be showering, bathing or cleansing yourself every two to three days." Though, if you're working out or engaging in an activity where you are sweating a lot, you may have to shower more often.
Generally, many people can go 2-3 days without showering and still not smell bad, particularly if they are not very active. However, after about a week, most people will likely begin to notice body odor and may feel uncomfortable. Regular washing of key areas (like underarms and groin) can help extend this period.
Skipping showers for a week can cause body odor, skin irritation, clogged pores, and increased risk of infections. Your scalp may become oily and itchy, and dirty clothes or bedding can worsen the issue. It can also affect your mood and confidence.
“Some adults who go longer than 3-4 days between showers run the risk of accumulating patches of dark, scaly skin, especially in oily areas, and an accumulation of 'bad' bacteria which can lead to fungal or bacterial infections,” adds Dr.
“If you're just sitting at home, or not running around all day and breaking a sweat, and not wearing tight or polyester clothing,” Barankin said, “then you can go days without showering, and that's fine.”
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Many doctors say a daily shower is fine for most people. (More than that could start to cause skin problems.) But for many people, two to three times a week is enough and may be even better to maintain good health.
You'll smell bad
This is certainly a key point for anyone with friends: if you stop washing, it's pretty likely that you'll start to smell bad. Even if you don't sweat excessively, strong body odor will doubtlessly develop and your refusal to shower will prevent you from eliminating it.
A fear of bathing (called ablutophobia) and water, it turns out, is a very common toddler phobia, and usually shows up around ages 1-2. There's a reason for that: During these years of rapid brain growth, toddlers develop what seems like a hyperawareness of their surroundings.
Odor can build up over time, potentially leading to awkward social exchanges. Plus, if you don't shower, you'll accumulate more than the usual amount of dead skin cells and oils. That can lead to “clogged pores, acne, skin infections, and even hair loss,” Mraz says.
Daily showers can strip your skin of these essential oils, potentially leading to dryness, itchiness and irritation - especially in the colder winter months. By showering less often, you give your skin a chance to maintain its natural balance and stay healthier.
Dr. James Hamblin, a preventive medicine and public health doctor, stopped showering for five years to explore the necessity of daily bathing. He found that frequent washing disrupts the skin's microbiome, which is crucial for health.
But before you give it a try, some warnings: Although it didn't happen to me, forgoing cleansing can cause some side effects like dandruff, an overly-sensitive scalp, and even hair loss (things that are reversible and often related to the hair's need to regain balance after giving up shampoo).
Benefits to morning showers include feeling more alert in the morning, getting clean after a workout, and washing off any nighttime sweat or skin cell buildup. However, showering at night may be a better option for people with skin conditions or allergies, and it can help prepare the body for sleep.
Dermatologists universally agree
If you work out at the gym or run every day, you may want to shower every day. Naturally, the seasons and climate are a factor in our need to shower. We may need to shower every day during the hot, humid summer.
One of the most significant factors influencing the avoidance of showers is mental health. Conditions like depression can severely impact motivation and energy levels. Individuals experiencing depression often find even the simplest tasks daunting, leading to neglect of personal hygiene.
Bathophobia is an unreasonable fear of depth. A person might feel the fear of falling into something which appears long or deep. A person could be easily scared of a long hallway, a deep pool or a well. A person who has bathophobia could realise that the height does not scare them; the depth of the place is scary.
Frigophobia Symptoms
Individuals may experience heightened levels of anxiety when exposed to cold environments, leading to physical reactions such as sweating, a racing heart, or trembling. This fear can also trigger avoidance behaviours, making it difficult to engage in outdoor activities during colder months.
Showering daily is not necessarily "unhealthy," but you may not need to. For many people, a full-body shower every other day or even every third day is enough. That said, just because you don't shower daily does not mean you want to skip out on personal care.
'Uncle Hajji'; 20 August 1928 – 23 October 2022), also known as the "World's Dirtiest Man", was an Iranian man known for not bathing for more than 60 years.
When sweat and oil on your back are left to accumulate, these substances can trigger or worsen existing skin concerns. To keep your skin looking and feeling its best, reach for a gentle body wash, like Bath and Shower Liquid Body Cleanser.
Even those that claim to be 'mild' or 'unperfumed' can cause irritation; it is the foaming agent (lauryl sulphate) that people are sensitive to. Don't over wash! Washing your genitals once a day is adequate. If you over wash, you will wash away your good, healthy bacteria.
The majority of respondents have fewer than 8 showers per week - perhaps one per day is the norm? Anecdotal evidence suggests this is because sport and the gym are very important to this age group. The average Gen Z is taking between 4 and 8 minutes in the shower.
"Regular washing, or about once every one to two weeks, is recommended to maintain cleanliness and a healthy sleep environment," says Harris. Once a week if you don't use a top sheet. Once a month if you do. Once a week if you don't use a top sheet.