“Areas like your legs don't necessarily require daily washing, but you always should cleanse the skin if there is any visible soiling,” says Dr. Ziechner, who's director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
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. The rest of you? A simple rinse with water is all you need.
“Yes, you should wash your legs,” Sperling tells The Manual. “They are a part of your body that should be cleansed just like other areas of the body. While the debate discusses excessive washing, etc., there is no need to scrub and use harsh cleansers.
To be clear: Showering is necessary for removing said bacteria that lives on the body. And, yes, that includes your legs. "The Human Microbiome Project published bacteria maps that tell which species of bacteria reside in each skin region," Dr. Estee Williams, a New York City dermatologist, says.
This leaves 20 percent (roughly 120,000 people) who don't wash their legs when they're in the shower — a statistic which prompted horrified reactions. One reply reads: "Do you only wash half your car?", while another says: "Everyone who voted no, think about all the toilet seats you've sat on and wash those thighs!"
Belly button or the navel is probably the most ignored part of the body. If it is not cleaned regularly, it will not only lead to buildup of dirt but also bacteria. The dark, moist environment of the belly button is ideal for breeding of bacteria.
They utilize the energy of leg with hand or others body part so that they can balance the body without leg also. They may use wheelchair or hand stand to maintain personal activites like taking meal, bathing and going to bathroom.
Currently, 80% of respondents wash their legs in the shower, while 20% do not. The discussion hinges on the argument for and against relying on the "trickle down" effect, whereby shower gel and shampoo used on the upper body falls down, washing the legs in the process.
All you've got to do is fill a bucket with lukewarm water, add a few drops of body oil and shampoo. Then, gently immerse your legs and let them soak for about 20 to 30 minutes. Remove them and use a pumice stone or a loofah to clean your legs of dirt and dead skin cells. Moisturize your legs after.
Those who wash their arms or legs first…
Shower users who wash their feet first are typically considered to be very down to earth and humble. On the flip side though, legs and arms denote willpower and strength.
You don't need to use conventional soaps in your daily hygiene routine. All you absolutely need, bare bones, to stay clean is water. Just water. Water does a fine job of rinsing away dirt without stripping vital oils from your skin.
Using your hands will get your body clean (as long as you wash them first) and is a good option for people who have sensitive skin, according to the AAD. Plus, you don't have to worry about how often you change out your cloth or loofah.
Twitter user Conor Arpwel posted a poll asking whether people wash their legs when they wash in the shower. More than 800,000 people have voted “yes” or “no” to the question, with the post racking up more than 3,000 likes.
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.
What's the worst that can happen if you leave a few dead skin cells lingering on your back? The most likely consequence will be a dull complexion. Again, it won't kill you. But it can lead to back acne, better known as bacne.
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.
Strawberry legs is not a condition in and of itself. Instead, strawberry legs refers to the appearance of the pores on your legs and can be used to describe several skin conditions. If you have strawberry legs, your legs may have dark dots that are similar to the seeds in strawberries.
Strawberry legs occur when enlarged pores or hair follicles trap dead skin, oil, and bacteria. A person often experiences strawberry legs following shaving. Other skin conditions that can cause strawberry legs include clogged pores, folliculitis, dry skin, and keratosis pilaris.
You may notice that the skin on your lower legs becomes discolored or appears bruised as you age. The technical term for this is hemosiderin staining. It's caused by a problem with the blood vessels in your legs called chronic venous insufficiency. You may need to make lifestyle changes to help fix the condition.
Many doctors say a daily shower is fine for most people. (More than that could start to cause skin problems.) But for many people, two to three times a week is enough and may be even better to maintain good health.
Taylor Swift said on Ellen that she doesn't wash her legs. Taylor: “I do bc when you shave your legs, the shaving cream is like soap right?” Swift basically started a whole thing.
You could develop dermatitis neglecta
This is caused by a build-up of dead skin, sweat, keratin and oils that would normally be washed away when you shower. Areas that develop these warty growths are where your body produces the most oils, such as your underarms, neck, under a woman's breasts and behind the ears.
The last record of longest time going without a shower belonged to a 66-year-old Indian, Kailash Singh, who had not taken a bath over 38 years, according to a report in The Tehran Times. The report said Haji had gone through some emotional setbacks in his youth and from then on decided to live an isolated life.
Skipping your shower could lead to an excess of dead skin cell buildup, says Amy Wechsler, a New York City dermatologist. Hyperkeratosis, which is the thickening of the outer layer of the skin, would undoubtedly occur. Rashes and itchy irritation will occur.
“Some adults who go longer than 3-4 days between showers run the risk of accumulating patches of dark, scaly skin, especially in oily areas, and an accumulation of 'bad' bacteria which can lead to fungal or bacterial infections,” adds Dr. Young.