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

FAQs

What are the three body parts you need to wash everyday? ›

In fact, excessive showering or bathing can actually do more harm than good. Accordingly to one doctor, you really only need to wash three parts of your body with soap: your armpits, groin, and feet.

02/5Armpits

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.

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.

The best way to prevent smelly armpits is to wash daily and after sweating. Using antiperspirant or deodorant and shaving the armpits can also help. Avoiding alcohol and certain foods, such as onions and garlic, will also help prevent smelly armpits in some cases.

The cleanest part typically, if not overcome with disease, are the air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. It's a sterile environment. A vast majority of the human body have bacteria as part of the normal human flora. The mouth being the dirtiest part of the body housing the most harmful bacteria.

Instead, your ears clean themselves on their own. If you don't deal with buildup, wash only the outer part of your ears by wiping them with a wet washcloth.

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 is the most sanitary thing to wash your body with? ›

The cleanest way to wash your body in the shower might just be with your hands since washcloths and loofahs can harbor bacteria if they're not properly cleaned or stored. But if you prefer a loofah, your best bet is a machine-washable option made of an antimicrobial material, like natural sea sponge or silicone.

What should you use to wash your body in the shower or bath? This all depends on personal preference, but from a dermatologist's point of view, using bare hands or a soft cloth or flannel is best. "Ensure the cloth is washed and fully dried after each use," says Dr Nazarian.

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.