Experts say these three body parts must be washed daily | The Times of India (2024)

FAQs

Which body part needs to be washed daily? ›

You should prioritize the armpits

Washing your body from head to toe with soap and water can cause skin problems. However, it is crucial to maintain thorough hygiene in the underarm area.

The growth of bacteria is the highest in the skin folds like armpits. It will make your armpit smell a lot and lead to itching and inflammation. Cleaning your armpit with soap and water daily will kill the bacteria and prevent its growth. It will reduce the risk of skin problems and make your smell good.

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.

You might find it easiest to tackle the areas where soap is recommended first to get them out of the way, says Dr. Greiling. This would include the underarms, groin, genital area, and chest and back (if you get acne in those spots), as well as your hands and feet.

Infrequent showering can cause bacteria to build up on your skin. Shower at least once a day and wash your underarm area with a scent-free, antibacterial bath soap.

Hands are a time-tested, unproblematic way to get clean. Some dermatologists recommend them as the best way to clean your skin, as they are gentle enough to maintain its integrity, don't harbor bacteria, and don't require constant cleaning or replacement.

Anywhere where there's a fold — where one piece of skin touches another — you can expect a higher buildup of bacteria. The latest health and medical news emailed to you every Sunday. But when compared to other parts of the body, nothing comes close to hosting more bacteria than the belly button.

On average, the cleanest part of the human body is considered to be the eye [1]. The eye has natural cleaning and protective functions that help to keep it clean. Each time you blink, you keep the eye moist, and tears help to protect the eye by washing away dirt and germs [1].

In fact, dermatologists recommend showering in water that's lukewarm or slightly warm. Do a quick rinse to wet your skin before applying any soap. Using a loofah, washcloth, or just your hands, apply bar soap or bodywash to your body. Start at your neck and shoulders, and work your way down the length of your body.

What to wash first in the shower? ›

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.

The groin area needs careful cleaning to prevent rashes and infections. Rashes are most likely to form in moist areas where skin touches skin, such as the folds of the groin and on the chest and stomach.

Benefits to morning showers include feeling more alert in the morning, getting clean after a workout, and washing off any nighttime sweat or skin cell buildup. However, showering at night may be a better option for people with skin conditions or allergies, and it can help prepare the body for sleep.

Your personal hygiene priorities should determine whether you take a bath or a shower. If you're interested in promoting relaxation, easing fatigue, and treating chronic pain, a bath might be the right choice for you. If you're more interested in an efficient daily cleansing, a shower might be the better choice.

Generally, she says "you should be showering, bathing or cleansing yourself every two to three days." Though, if you're working out or engaging in an activity where you are sweating a lot, you may have to shower more often. The biggest problem that may stem from not showering enough? The stink.

According to Laura Purdy, MD, a Miami-based family medicine physician who was not affiliated with the GW study, this research reinforces the need to clean all the skin on our body when bathing—including the “hard-to-reach” and “easy-to-forget places” like behind our ears, between our toes, and inside our belly button.

Since shower water runs downward from your head to your feet, the legs and then feet should be the last parts to be washed.

The cleanest part of your body

According to Reference, the eye is considered to be the cleanest part of the body due to its natural cleaning and protective functions. Each time you blink, you keep the eye moist, and tears help to protect the eye by washing away dirt and germs.

Not all areas of your body need soap in order to get clean. Limit soap to your armpits, groin, feet, hands, and face, and stick to warm water for the rest of your body.