Isn’t daily washing unhygienic?

For many French people, showering is mandatory every morning or every evening, if not both. A person who does not shower every day is therefore very often considered a person who does not have enough hygiene. However, the question of daily washing has been asked more than once, and dermatologists are unanimous in their answer: not washing every day is far from a lack of hygiene. Many even recommend showering only three to four times a week.. The reasons for this relapse are mostly health related. But also from an ecological point of view, despite the growing concern for the environment.

Not washing every day, an advantage for your health

The skin is naturally equipped with a protective layer called a hydrolipidic film. This film consists of keratin, sebum, sweat and dead skin cells. We often mistakenly think that dead skin is bad when it is there to protect against bacteria and everyday aggressions. Contrary to popular belief, the hydrolipidic film therefore serves to keep the skin healthy. However, wash leads to the removal of between 50% and 80% of this protective film. The latter takes approximately 24 hours to regenerate and rebuild. Which means that follow every day increases the risk of skin attack by external nuisances such as pollution. However, it is less dangerous to shower after sports, in hot weather. And wash the private parts of the body daily. For the rest of the body, it is not a lack of hygiene if washed several times a week.

Is it serious not to wash every day?

Not washing every day is not necessarily bad for your health. However, this can have consequences. One of the significant impacts is the appearance of unpleasant body odor due to the reproduction of bacteria on the skin. These are fed sweat and dead cells, producing foul-smelling compounds. Furthermore, insufficient hygiene can promote the development of certain skin diseases such as dermatosis neglecta, a skin condition manifested by the appearance of brown spots on the skin. Moreover, lack of hygiene is not limited to the skin. It can also affect other aspects of our health, such as oral health or hair health. Furthermore, it is crucial to wash your hands regularly to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

• Body odors : due to the multiplication of bacteria
• Dermatosis neglecta : skin condition caused by lack of hygiene
• Hair and mouth health : can be affected by lack of hygiene
• Prevention of infectious diseases : requires regular hand hygiene

Therefore, it is important to find a balance between the benefits of moderate hygiene and the risks of insufficient hygiene.

Not washing every day, plus for the planet

In average, shower is equivalent to 40 liters of water. Against 100 to 150 liters for a bathtub. Which represents a strong environmental impact, as well as energy. Shortening your shower time also helps reduce yours water bill and risks to the planet. l’daily hygiene will not affect, because the skin also has the power of self-cleaning. People who are overweight have to be more careful, however, because sweating can lead to infections.. In addition, living in the city or in the countryside can also affect the frequency of showers. Finally, people who suffer from dry skin have a greater interest in spacing out their showers to preserve their skin.

How long can you go without showering?

It’s fair to ask how long you can go without showering. Answers may vary depending on individuals and situations. Some people can go several days without showering without experiencing any noticeable discomfort or health problems. However, after a few days of not washing, most people start to smell unpleasant body odor, a sign that bacteria they multiply on the surface of the skin. Several factors can affect how long you can go without showering. Among these factors we can mention physical activity level, climate, skin type or even diet. For example, a person who exercises a lot or lives in a hot and humid climate will sweat more and therefore need to shower more often.

It is important to note that even if you can go a few days without washing, washing intimate parts, armpits and feet is recommended every day to maintain good hygiene. These parts of the body are actually more prone to sweating and bacterial growth, which can cause unpleasant odors and promote the development of certain skin diseases.

How many showers per day for flawless personal hygiene?

Optimal frequency of showering for impeccable personal hygiene it depends on several personal and environmental parameters.

• For a person living in sedentary life IN moderate climate, 2 to 3 showers per week may be sufficient for good hygiene.
• For active people or live in a hot climate, daily showering may be necessary to remove sweat and prevent smells physically.
• For the elderly and babies who produce less sebumdaily showering is not necessary.

However, showering too often can dry out the skin. Using mild soaps and avoiding hot water can help maintain the integrity of the skin’s hydrolipidic film.

Do you need to wash your private parts every day?

The issue of daily intimate hygiene is important. Intimate parts are parts of the body that are particularly sensitive and exposed to various infectious agents.. Daily washing is recommended, but must be done with care to avoid any imbalance in the local flora.

• For women, toilet intimacy must be limited to the vulva, without invading the vagina. It is recommended to use mild soaps, specific for this area, in order to preserve the natural pH.
• For men, lukewarm water and mild soap or one suitable for washing the male intimate area is sufficient. Special attention should be paid under the foreskin, where dirt can accumulate.

In all cases, the use of cloths or sponges is not recommended to avoid the spread of microbes.

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