“Water is excellent at washing off sweat and dust and the normal lint that we pick up around us every day, [while] soap is really good at pulling oils out of the skin,” Dr. Greiling says.
"Neither are necessary," explains Dr. Mudgil. "But if you're going to choose one, wash cloths are much better than loofahs, provided you only use the cloth one time before washing it. Both can harbor bacteria, but loofahs are much more prone to doing so given all their 'nooks and crannies.
Dr. Doris Day, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, suggests products labeled as “cleanser,” such as a moisturizing body wash. “Cleansers can add the moisture back into your skin,” she says. If you haven't had trouble with dry or irritated skin, though, traditional soap is fine.
Scrubs off dead skin cells & embedded dirt better than bare hands. A washcloth is the best natural manual exfoliator, promoting smoother & healthier skin. Skin no longer feels flaky & rough as the excess dirt, oils & odour-causing bacteria will be lifted up & washed away properly with a washcloth.
Good anal hygiene:
Keep the anal area clean by washing with water every day. Don't use soaps as they will reduce the natural oils that protect the anus and may make the area dry and itchy. Use aqueous cream or a soap-free cleanser instead.
While cleanliness is very important, keeping clean doesn't need to involve a full bath or a shower. A sponge bath that ensures all areas are cleaned with soap and water will also serve very well.
While there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times per week is plenty for most people (unless you are grimy, sweaty, or have other reasons to shower more often). Short showers (lasting three or four minutes) with a focus on the armpits and groin may suffice.
The three areas, according to one doctor, you really only need to wash with soap are your armpits, groin and feet. The rest of your body is good with a simple rinse of water.
"Many people lose the feeling of freshness quickly after showering and feel itchy or dry because they often spend too much time in the shower, scrub too aggressively, and use harsh products," dermatologist Rhonda Klein, MD/MPH tells Bustle.
You should wash your towels and washcloths after every 3-5 uses, although some experts say your washcloth should only be used once before washing. When it comes to replacing your bath towels and washcloths, there's no hard and fast rule. You just need to pay attention to the absorbency and softness.
Risks involved
As per Healthline, “loofahs haven't been shown to grow most staph or strep bacteria, but they can become harbours for other bacteria on your body, including E. coli.” For those who have sensitive skin, the harshness of the loofah can leave your skin red and inflamed.
If you don't wash your body, it makes it easier for germs that cause actual skin infections to flourish. If you didn't wash at all, dirt, sweat, dead skin cells and oil would start to accumulate, and infections or ongoing skin conditions can become more serious, more difficult to manage, and harder to undo.
According to dermatologists, you should exfoliate first, then wash your hair, and then wash your body. This will ensure that each shower product you use has time to work. If you have concerns about your skin, you should follow this order as closely as you can. This will help prevent acne, razor burn, or dry hair.
Even if you choose not to take a bath daily, you need to clean your groin area and change your undergarments daily. The folded skin and hair around the genital can harbour millions of harmful bacteria, leading to infection and odour.
Do you need to use soap when you shower? Yes, use soap on your groin, your armpits and your feet. These are areas that are prone to bacteria and can get smelly. Any other areas are likely good with water.
Your skin accumulates plenty of dirt, grime, and debris at the end of each day (not to mention sweat and residue from skin care products). If you stick to a morning-only wash, without so much as an evening rinse-off, you might be going to bed with some built-up bacteria.
“Humans tend to perspire at night,” Dr. Goldenberg said. “When you wake up in the morning, there's all this sweat and bacteria from the sheets that's just kind of sitting there on your skin.” So take a quick shower in the morning, he said, “to wash all of that gunk and sweat off that you've been sleeping in all night.”
Showering or bathing too often can strip the skin of natural oils and dry out the skin. At times it can lead to itchy and flaky skin – which can cause infections. Therefore, it's okay for the elderly to just bathe once or twice a week.
Generally speaking, older adults may only need to wash their hair around once per week. For seniors who are hesitant to wash with greater frequency, dry shampoos can be effective in the days between wet washing.
The average length of time spend showering is 2 to 5 minutes. Keeping it classic – There is a renewed interest and loyalty in Spain to use products that older generations favoured, such as Moussel shower gel. Weekly Bathing Breakdown: On average Spanish citizens have 7 showers and 2 baths a week.