How Often Do You Really Need to Shower?
Do you really need a daily shower to stay clean, or is it doing more harm than good? Some scientists have recommendations based on what we know about our skin — and what might be living on...
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Nothing really beats a steamy shower to relax after a hard workout. And good hygiene is how we protect ourselves from infections, and the social stigma of being smelly. But do you really need a daily shower to stay clean, or is it doing more harm than good? It turns out, there aren’t any definite rules, but some scientists have recommendations based on what we know about the biology of our skin — and what might be living on top of it. Your skin is a giant organ that physically blocks harmful stuff from getting inside your body. It’s covered in a bustling community of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and even teeny-tiny arthropods. They make up what’s known as your skin microbiome. For the most part, researchers think that these microbes you carry with you ...
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Nothing really beats a steamy shower to relax after a hard workout. And good hygiene is how we protect ourselves from infections, and the social stigma of being smelly. But do you really need a daily shower to stay clean, or is it doing more harm than good? It turns out, there aren’t any definite rules, but some scientists have recommendations based on what we know about the biology of our skin — and what might be living on top of it. Your skin is a giant organ that physically blocks harmful stuff from getting inside your body. It’s covered in a bustling community of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and even teeny-tiny arthropods. They make up what’s known as your skin microbiome. For the most part, researchers think that these microbes you carry with you ...
