How often do you really need to shower? | Your Morning
Summary
TLDRIn this video, dermatologist Dr. Sandy Scott discusses the modern trend of reduced showering frequency and the importance of adjusting shower habits rather than eliminating them altogether. Dr. Scott explains that while daily showers may not be necessary, especially for those with less physical activity, 'hot zones' like underarms should be washed daily. She also addresses the potential harm of frequent soap use, which can strip the skin of its natural protective barrier, and raises concerns about the long-term effects on our skin microbiome. For children, she suggests less frequent bathing, focusing on rinsing rather than scrubbing, to maintain a healthy skin environment.
Takeaways
- 🚿 People shower more frequently today than in the 1950s, where it was common to shower once a week.
- 🌟 The frequency of showering should be tailored to individual needs and activities, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
- 🧼 Over-washing with detergents may not be necessary and could potentially harm the skin's natural protective barrier.
- 🔬 The concept of 'sluicing', or rinsing without scrubbing, is suggested as a gentler alternative to full-body washing.
- 👕 Daily washing of 'hot zones' like underarms is recommended, but full-body washing might not be needed daily, especially for those with less physical activity.
- 🏭 Occupation plays a significant role in determining shower frequency, with those in physically demanding jobs needing more frequent showers.
- 👶 For children, showering frequency can be reduced to two or three times a week unless they are visibly dirty, respecting their skin's natural balance.
- 🛡️ Traditional soaps can be harsh due to their high pH and may strip the skin of its protective layer, leading to increased vulnerability to environmental irritants.
- 🌱 There's a concern that long-term use of detergents might have altered our skin's microbiome, affecting natural processes.
- 🌬️ Body odor is a result of bacteria breaking down sweat; some individuals may naturally produce less odor due to their skin's adapted bacterial environment.
Q & A
How often did people shower in the 1950s compared to today?
-People showered much less frequently in the 1950s, with it being closer to a weekly occurrence, whereas today it's common to shower multiple times a week.
What is the main message dermatologist Dr. Sandy Scott is trying to convey about showering?
-Dr. Sandy Scott emphasizes that it's not about avoiding showers altogether but rather how one showers, suggesting that not everyone needs to shower daily, especially if they are not physically dirty.
What is 'sluicing' as mentioned by Dr. Scott?
-'Sluicing' refers to the practice of simply rinsing off with water instead of using soap or detergent all over the body.
Why might showering daily not be necessary for everyone according to the dermatologist?
-Dr. Scott explains that daily showers might not be necessary for people who are not physically dirty, such as those who work in an office environment, and that it's important to focus on washing only the 'hot zones' like underarms.
What are 'hot zones' as it relates to personal hygiene?
-'Hot zones' refer to areas of the body that tend to sweat more and are more prone to odor, such as underarms and other areas where bacteria can accumulate.
What is the significance of showering for teenagers during puberty?
-Showering and cleaning are particularly important for teenagers during puberty due to hormonal changes that can increase sweating and body odor.
How does using soap affect the skin's protective barrier?
-Using soap can potentially damage the skin's protective barrier by removing it, making the skin more susceptible to environmental pollutants and irritants.
What is the potential long-term effect of using detergents on our skin's microbiome?
-There is a concern that the consistent use of detergents over the last 70 years may have altered our skin's microbiome, which could have implications for skin health.
How often should children shower according to Dr. Scott's advice?
-Dr. Scott suggests that children do not need to shower daily, and that a rinse or washing a couple of times a week is sufficient unless they are visibly dirty.
What is the importance of understanding the difference between soap and cleansers?
-Understanding the difference between soap and cleansers is important because traditional soaps can be more damaging to the skin due to their high pH and potential to strip the skin of its protective barrier.
What is the dermatologist's stance on the idea of not showering for 15 years as mentioned in the script?
-Dr. Scott does not recommend going without showering for such an extended period. However, she acknowledges that the body can adapt and manage odor through its natural bacteria, suggesting that the method of cleaning and the frequency need to be tailored to individual needs.
Outlines
🚿 The Debate on Showering Frequency
This paragraph delves into the changing trends of personal hygiene, particularly showering habits. It contrasts the frequent showering practices of today with the less frequent routines of the past. Dermatologist Dr. Sandy Scott discusses the importance of how one showers rather than the frequency. She introduces the concept of 'sluicing,' which involves rinsing the body without necessarily scrubbing with detergent, and suggests that full-body washing with detergents may not always be necessary. The conversation also touches on the 'hot zones' of the body that require more frequent cleaning, and the idea that natural bacteria can help keep the body clean without daily showers.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Showering
💡Natural bacteria
💡Detergent
💡Hot zones
💡Skin microbiome
💡Body odor
💡Leaky skin barrier
💡Sluicing
💡Soap vs. cleanser
💡Children's hygiene
Highlights
People shower more frequently today than in the 1950s, with some showering multiple times a day.
The frequency of showering has been sensationalized; it's more about how you shower than not showering at all.
Sluicing, or rinsing the body without scrubbing, is suggested as an alternative to excessive body washing.
Not everyone needs to shower daily; it depends on factors like occupation and personal hygiene.
Hot zones like underarms require daily washing, but other body parts may not need as much attention.
The necessity of showering daily is questioned, especially for those in office settings.
Dermatologist Dr. Sandy Scott explains that not showering doesn't necessarily mean being dirty.
Body odor is a result of bacteria breaking down sweat, and altering this process can affect odor.
A man who hasn't showered in 15 years claims to have no body odor due to his body's natural reaction.
The use of detergents can potentially harm the skin's protective barrier, making it more susceptible to pollution.
Traditional soaps can be very damaging to the skin due to their high pH and ability to remove the skin's protective barrier.
There's a concern that long-term use of detergents may have altered our skin microbiome.
For children, unless they are visibly dirty, a simple rinse might be sufficient.
Recommendation for children's shower frequency is two or three times a week, depending on their activity level.
Dr. Scott debunks common myths about the necessity of daily showers and the potential harm of excessive soap use.
Transcripts
how long would you go without showering
a day a week
what about 15 years there's a growing
trend of people skipping soap and
trusting their natural bacteria to keep
them clean dermatologist dr. sandy Scott
nikki is here to explain a doctor thank
you for being here thank you for having
me okay so we shower heck a lot more
today than we did in the 1950s that was
closer to like a weekly once a week once
a week thing we're doing it sometimes
more I was telling you I've I've gone as
maybe it's three times in a day how much
do we actually really need to be
watching our bodies so some of this is
being sensationalized it's not about not
showering it's about how you shower so a
lot of people scrub their whole body
with a detergent you can just sluice we
call it sluicing you can just rinse and
just wash your bits okay so we're not
saying no don't shower what we're trying
to have people look at is that you don't
always need to like when if you're just
sitting in an office all day do you
really need are you dirty the answer is
no the answer is a but but we do our
bodies do have hot zones yes we got
underarms we got that other places right
those are the things that music to wash
I'm gonna say daily yeah I don't know
doctor but I'm going to say daily it
depends it depends on your occupation
some of the pushback we have I was
quoted in an article by the Guardian and
there was all these people replying like
I work in construction I have to have a
shower I have to we're not saying don't
yeah it's about a broader message and
also the detergents that we use and and
using them on your whole body especially
in children so unnecessary and maybe has
caused some disease well let's talk
about this one man who hasn't showered
properly as we know it in 15 years he
says he sort of spot cleans how do you
how do you not he said he doesn't body
odor how do you do that he says it's his
body's natural reaction is that true
yeah I think that's that's the thing we
don't really understand I mean you're
you basically produce body odor because
of bacteria yeah so the bacteria breaks
down the sweat so if our we actually
have we altered something by using the
detergents over and over again I don't
think anybody should go around smelling
also teenagers when they reach puberty
it's very important to shower and clean
it's about just the the nonsensical
washing your whole body we
the barb so when you haven't you're not
really dirty it's ingrained in us so
talk to me about what what damage we
could be doing by using soap all the
time well first of all like the whole
topic of soap is so complicated what's
soap and what's it cleanser so
old-fashioned soaps that are made the
traditional way or very damaging to our
skin because they they're high pH and
they also can remove some of our
protective barrier our skins there to
protect us against pollution and when
you wash it you break it down you
actually break down a wall so you become
leaky and you and you can increase what
comes through the skin so we think we're
being clean when we're washing our whole
body and it actually were trying to
explain to patients that it's not the
case and then the bigger
behind-the-scenes issue is have we
actually changed our skin microbiome
through all the detergent use in the
last 70 years let's finish up with
talking about kids I got three of them
at home
it's a labor intensive trial to get them
in and out of the bath of the shower so
how often cuz the kids running around
these sweat all the time they're not
boys or nine daughter six so unless
they're dirty like a rinse is fine and
you know two or three times a week
Healthy Kids two or three times a week I
hope they're not watching right now does
that make them very very happy necessary
yeah well doctor thanks for debunking a
lot of these things that we take is
truth I appreciate it thank you for
having me
thanks for watching if you like this be
sure to subscribe here and you can check
out more your morning videos right here
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