How often do you need to shower or bathe, really?

[Tasaio]

At the moment, it's been...a little over 2 or 3 weeks since I had a shower.

One problem is that I have extra dry skin, so getting a shower irritates me terribly. Even once a day seems like overkill.

What's the minimum amount of showering you recommend for a male in his 20s?

Thanks!

Tasaio

[Shaden]

You might want to combat that extra dry skin with some kind of lotion. There's plenty of products on the market that do such a thing. Of course, I have no real experience of such things. Perhaps another member could advise on such an issue...

Getting to the matter at hand - you probably don't want to go more then 4 days without a shower. If you could find something to combat the dry skin that would be great - showering everyday is definitely better then every 4 days.

Mind you I'm no expert, so...

[Thomas Jensen]

I heard something on the radio this morning that was so true about the lives of the self-employed. I think you have to make a real effort in the mornings. That means always shaving without fail, having a good wash, maybe even putting on some decent aftershave even if you're not intending on going out and meeting anybody in particular. It just helps to keep you sharp and maintain standards.

It so easy to just 'let it go' when you are working at home, or in the home office. That's why I think hygiene is so important. If you don't try to keep up those standards, you can end up looking and feeling pretty grubby during working hours. And of course, you wouldn't do it if you were working somewhere else, so it's important to have the same discipline at your own place.

[bellbird]

Tasaio, I'm personally not too fond of smelling other people's body odors except my partner's probably . I think every two days is probably the way to go for you. regarding your skin irritation, is that the water, the extent of showering (time), products you use or is the water coming out too hard for you? Would it be an idea to see a homeo therapist to offer a suggestion towards your skin irritation? Let us know how ou get on

[dor]

Ever been in someone's house that 'smelled funny' but they don't even notice the smell. Bodies can get like that too. as anyone's who's ever been on a subway on a hot summer's day knows all too well.

Two weeks? If I did that I'd be declared a bio-hazard.

As for the skin condition: i am not familiar with it but are you sure it's water that irritates your skin? or the soaps you are using - in any event it sounds like something you should see a dermatologist about.

[jkmuller]

I think it really depends on who you're going to be around. If its just you, you might be able to get away with any amount of time as long as its hygienic! Also, if you're around people that don't mind body odor it probably wont be a problem. However, if you're around people that do mind, it seems like it is a little rude to impose your own odor on other people. Some people think that its "natural" so other people shouldn't be offended, but i don't buy that.

[The David]

I've heard that showering isn't good for your skin. If you go two weeks, then you've probably formed a protective film. But if you want to have a social life, then do it at least every three days.

[Antarananda]

Actually, even though most all of us shower everyday everyday with some kind of soap used on the body, according to Ayurvedic medicine, it disrupts healthy functioning of the skin. Soap is very alkaline, and upsets the naturally protective acidic oil mantle that the epidermis produces.

My personal recommendation to you: first do a full body massage using vata balancing herbal oil and let the oil soak in for 10-15 minutes. Then shower.


Shower using cold water - as cold as you can stand it. It improves circulation, does not dehydrate your skin like hot water does, and will refresh you. If you must use soap, use it only on underarms and down there. It is recommended to use an herbal cleansing powder for the rest of the body in place of soap by Ayurveda.

While we're too obsessed with "germs" and cleanliness in the West, I do think 2-3 weeks without a shower isn't very hygienic. The most I've ever gone personally is a day.

[dor]

Originally Posted by The David

I've heard that showering isn't good for your skin. If you go two weeks, then you've probably formed a protective film. But if you want to have a social life, then do it at least every three days.

Interestingly back in colonial africa days -during the unrest in Rhodesia when you went into the bush you didn't shower for at least three days - this was because your cleanliness could easily be smelled by the guerrillas. (no joke)

[Mark Lapierre]

I moisturise after every shower because some areas of my skin tends to become dry and irritated too. I use a natural moisturiser which is readily absorbed so my skin doesn't feel oily. But since you haven't showered for 2-3 weeks I guess that doesn't bother you (I hope you don't travel on crowded public transport...)

Also, as Antarananda mentioned, soap can be pretty harsh on the skin, get a body wash which isn't going to completely strip your skin of it's natural oils. You don't need to lather up all over to get clean.

For an average male in his 20s, I'd definitely recommend showering once a day, mainly because we tend to be active, thus sweating, thus smelling. If you're not that active, and everyone else around says you don't smell, and you at least wash your hands when necessary, then it's not much of an issue.

[taylor2]

i bathe everyday.sometimes more.cause i ahve arthritis and my tub has jets in it to help soothe muscle pains. but always wash everyday.i thik a 20 yr old male should shower everyday,unless they have dry skin and then maybe every other day. i think they are too active in all ways to not.ithink some lotion would be helpful to avoid getting too dry of skin.

[tomjen]

You should talk with somebody about the skin conditions. As for taking a shower, I find that it depends on the length of my hair (I am male) - if it is cut short a week can pass, but I am not sure if it smells (You cant really smell yourself and I am a geek so I dont really notice such things), but nobody died.

One exception - I have to apply a deodorant or shower every two hours. This isnt to hide any smell but to stop my arms from sweating.

[PhyllisZ]

If you're skin is very dry, you most likely have some form of food allergy, nutrition deficiency or candida overgrowth issue that is causing the problem in the first place. I would spend time searching for the cause, instead of dealing with the symptoms and choosing not to bathe for long periods of time. A local naturopathic doctor would be my first choice for answers. Western medicine doctors focus too much on the symptoms, and receive very little knowledge about nutrition in medical school, so they rarely pay much attention to allergies and deficiencies.

Without trying to sound rude at all, here's a good example, that's totally unrelated... but very similar in concept... that I think may help explain my recommendations above.

Think about a car that runs out of gas... and instead of getting gas, you decide that you're going to push it around everywhere you go... and when you get tired of pushing it, you decide that you're not going to go anywhere anymore. Sounds silly, huh?

Just my $.02... take it or leave it.

[Faith]

I once knew a woman with incredibly soft skin. She told me her secret was baby oil. I resisted the idea for a long time, because I thought I would feel greasy. Then I tried putting it on when I was going to bed, with an old pair of pajamas to absorb the excess. It didn't work all that well.

Then I discovered the secret of using baby oil. After showering, but before drying, slather yourself with baby oil. Then dry off. I do this every morning. I don't feel greasy. And it definitely helps with the dry skin. Plus baby oil isn't terribly expensive.

Faith

[tomn8er]

Hey Tasaio! I live in Canada, and our winters get pretty dry and cold. In the summer my skin is perfectly fine, but when winter rolls around my skin gets so dry it actually starts peeling if I don't do something about it. In other words, i get body dandruff - particularily on my forearms, chest, stomach, nose, cheeks, and even forehead. Its not fun.

To combat this flakiness, I switched from ordinary bar soaps to moisturizing body washes, it really helps a ton! Also, I frequently apply chapstick and hand moisturizer, and wear gloves outside to keep my hands and knuckles from getting dry. I still get a bit of flakiness for an hour or two after showering, but its pretty negligible.

Hope that helps!

[Nala]

Perhaps Tasaio is kidding re the 2 to 3 weeks? I have had some pretty laid-back friends and S.O.'s, but none of them went past 3 or 4 days without bathing. If you must, just take a birdbath (three-point landing) if you can't stand to bathe.

Personally, I have *very* dry skin. I agree with the recommendation from Faith re baby oil after showering but before drying off. It does work.

Also, I buy the most luxurious, skin-seeping lotions available (well, actually people buy them for me as gifts because my skin is so d**n dry).

Not bathing just ends in bad things like odor, infections, and dandruff. Just do it. I actually hate showering but hate odor much worse.

Oh, Vaseline is the best. Nothing works on my lips or my hands (which I wash constantly) except Vaseline.

[Erki]

Originally Posted by Nala

Perhaps Tasaio is kidding re the 2 to 3 weeks? I have had some pretty laid-back friends and S.O.'s, but none of them went past 3 or 4 days without bathing. If you must, just take a birdbath (three-point landing) if you can't stand to bathe.

I have gone more than 2 or 3 weeks without showering(only washed my feet/legs and hair) And I am not kidding. I don't know though if I smelled or anything, no-one told me. I have to say though, I am everything but active so I don't really sweat much either.

But yes, 3 or 4 days, not weeks is probably the way to go.(if anyone takes my word anymore )