US Doctor’s 8-Year No-Bath Experiment for Hygiene Theory
- Spaniards spend an average of 48 hours per year in the shower, making Spain the most hygienic country in Europe, according to a 2022 study by Democopia.Though, younger...
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a shower duration of around five minutes to balance personal hygiene with water and energy conservation.
- Paloma Borregón, a dermatologist, suggests that while there's no strict rule, excessive showering can irritate the skin.
Spain Leads europe in Shower Time, But Is It Too Much?
Table of Contents
- Spain Leads europe in Shower Time, But Is It Too Much?
- Spain Leads europe in Shower Time, But Is It Too Much? – A Deep Dive
- How Much Time Do Spaniards Spend in the Shower?
- Does the WHO Have a Recommendation for Shower Duration?
- Is Showering for 12 Minutes Too Long?
- What Are the Potential Downsides of Excessive Showering?
- What Does a Dermatologist Reccommend After Showering?
- Is There an Choice Approach to Showering?
- Why Did James Hamblin Stop Using Soap?
- Did James Hamblin Stop Showering Altogether?
- What’s the Difference Between Hygiene and Personal Care, According to Hamblin?
- Did James Hamblin Experience Any Changes After Changing His Showering Routine?
- what Key Points Should I Remember About Showering?
Spaniards spend an average of 48 hours per year in the shower, making Spain the most hygienic country in Europe, according to a 2022 study by Democopia.Though, younger Spaniards, with 50% showering more than onc a day, might potentially be overdoing it.
On average,a typical shower in Spain lasts about 12 minutes.
The WHO’s Suggestion
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a shower duration of around five minutes to balance personal hygiene with water and energy conservation.
Dermatologist’s Perspective: More Isn’t always Better
Paloma Borregón, a dermatologist, suggests that while there’s no strict rule, excessive showering can irritate the skin.
She emphasizes the importance of moisturizing after showering to replenish lost hydration.
rethinking the Shower: A Yale Doctor’s Experiment
James Hamblin, a specialist in preventive medicine and professor at Yale University’s School of Public Health, has adopted an unconventional approach to personal hygiene.
Eight Years Without Soap: Focusing on Skin Microbiome
Hamblin stopped using soap and water in the shower eight years ago, opting for water only.
His goal was to demonstrate the potential harm of excessive personal cleaning products on the skin’s microbiome.
he documented his findings in his book, “Clean: The New Science of Skin.”
In a january 2025 interview with CNN, hamblin clarified that he didn’t completely stop showering but minimized the use of hygiene products, arguing that many are primarily for fragrance.
Ifemerida reports that Hamblin believes showering is often driven by habit and social norms rather than medical necessity.
Adaptation and Rethinking Hygiene
Hamblin acknowledges an initial adjustment period with increased body odor, which eventually subsided.
He argues that overusing cleaning agents can disrupt protective bacteria and weaken the skin’s natural defenses.
Hamblin differentiates between hygiene and personal care.
He told National Geographic that hygiene includes essential actions like hand washing and preventing the spread of bodily fluids.
Personal care, on the other hand, encompasses the psychological aspects of feeling fresh and relaxed, with daily showering being more related to cosmetic than health reasons.
Spain Leads europe in Shower Time, But Is It Too Much? – A Deep Dive
How Much Time Do Spaniards Spend in the Shower?
According to a 2022 study by Democopia, Spaniards spend an average of 48 hours per year in the shower. This makes Spain the country with the highest shower time in Europe. On average,a typical shower in spain lasts about 12 minutes.
Does the WHO Have a Recommendation for Shower Duration?
Yes, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a shower duration of around five minutes to balance personal hygiene with water adn energy conservation.
Is Showering for 12 Minutes Too Long?
Perhaps, yes. While there’s no strict rule, dermatologists like Paloma Borregón suggest that excessive showering can irritate the skin. The WHO’s recommendation of around five minutes highlights the balance needed between hygiene and resource conservation. The provided article does not explicitly state if showering for 12 minutes is too long, but instead, mentions the dermatologist’s opinion on the subject. Younger Spaniards are mentioned as showering more than once a day which might be considered overdoing it.
What Are the Potential Downsides of Excessive Showering?
As mentioned by dermatologist Paloma Borregón, excessive showering can irritate the skin. The skin can lose its natural oils and become dry.
What Does a Dermatologist Reccommend After Showering?
Paloma Borregón emphasizes the importance of moisturizing after showering to replenish lost hydration.
Is There an Choice Approach to Showering?
Yes, James Hamblin, a specialist in preventive medicine and professor at Yale University’s School of Public Health, has adopted an unconventional approach to personal hygiene. he stopped using soap and water in the shower for eight years, opting for water only.
Why Did James Hamblin Stop Using Soap?
Hamblin’s goal was to demonstrate the potential harm of excessive personal cleaning products on the skin’s microbiome. He documented his findings in his book, “Clean: The New science of Skin.”
Did James Hamblin Stop Showering Altogether?
No.In a January 2025 interview with CNN, Hamblin clarified that he didn’t completely stop showering but minimized the use of hygiene products, arguing that many are primarily for fragrance.
What’s the Difference Between Hygiene and Personal Care, According to Hamblin?
Hamblin differentiates between hygiene and personal care. He stated that hygiene includes essential actions like hand washing and preventing the spread of bodily fluids. On the other hand, personal care encompasses the psychological aspects of feeling fresh and relaxed, with daily showering being more related to cosmetic than health reasons.
Did James Hamblin Experience Any Changes After Changing His Showering Routine?
Yes, he acknowledges an initial adjustment period with increased body odor, which eventually subsided. He argues that overusing cleaning agents can disrupt protective bacteria and weaken the skin’s natural defenses.
what Key Points Should I Remember About Showering?
Here’s a swift summary:
| feature | Details |
|———————-|———————————————————————————————————|
| Typical Shower in Spain | 12 minutes |
| WHO Recommendation | Around 5 minutes |
| Dermatologist’s View | Excessive showering can irritate the skin; moisturizing is essential. |
| Hamblin’s Approach | Stopped using soap and minimized product use, focusing on the skin microbiome and the difference between personal hygiene and personal care.|