In recent months, the emphasis on frequent and thorough handwashing to protect against the coronavirus has been repeated incessantly. Given this, you might naturally assume that regularly cleansing your entire body is equally vital.
However, that assumption doesn’t necessarily hold true. In fact, excessive bathing or showering can potentially do more harm than good.
According to one medical expert on Best Life Online, the essential areas to focus on with soap are limited to your armpits, groin, and feet, while the rest of your body can suffice with a simple rinse using water.
Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Toronto, recently shared with The Atlantic that an all-encompassing scrubbing with soap and water may lead to issues such as eczema and other skin conditions.
Instead, she recommends concentrating on specific areas, namely your underarms, groin, and feet.
Washing your entire body with soap runs the risk of eliminating beneficial bacteria that play a crucial role in your microbiome’s ability to differentiate between beneficial and harmful germs, as explained by Dr. Robynne Chutkan, founder of the Digestive Center for Women in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Your body relies on certain bacteria, and when you strip them from your skin through soap-based cleansing, it can weaken your immunity against specific viruses, making you more susceptible to illness.
Dr. Chutkan asserts that unless you’ve engaged in an activity like a mud run, the only areas that require daily soaping are your armpits and groin. For the rest of your body, a simple rinse, even after a vigorous workout, should suffice.
In 2018, a noteworthy study published in Science Advances uncovered a specific strain of bacteria residing on the skin of test subjects, which was linked to a reduced risk of skin cancer when compared to individuals who lacked this particular bacteria.
This serves as a compelling illustration of the beneficial microorganisms that can be jeopardized when constantly subjected to soap-based scrubbing.
Now, you might wonder why it’s recommended to use soap specifically on your underarms, groin, and feet if excessive use of soap elsewhere is discouraged. Well, these three regions happen to host some of the most delicate and sensitive skin on your body.
They are more susceptible to issues like fungal growth, and ingrown hairs that can lead to infections, and are generally more prone to the proliferation of harmful bacteria and potentially risky infections.
Hence, a targeted approach with soap in these areas can help maintain their cleanliness and health without disturbing the beneficial microorganisms found elsewhere on the skin.