Archive for March, 2011

Experimental hygiene

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Inspired by the following post on boingboing.net:

http://www.boingboing.net/2011/01/04/i-havent-used-soap-i.html

I decided to give this a try myself. It’s been about six weeks that I stopped using soap or shampoo. Occasionally I still wash my hands with handsoap but apart from that, nada.

Result:

Hair:
The first three weeks my hair felt somewhat wiry but in the meantime it’s gone back to normal. It doesn’t feel any better or any worse. The dandruff I experienced previously (and kept under control with H+S) has not become any worse, I’d rather say it’s gotten better. There are still occasional flakes but nothing heavy.

Body:
Not much change here.  I still have to shower every second or third day depending on how much I sweat (I easily start sweating in ’embarassing’ situations or when I am in rooms that feel hot or stuffy). No bad odours so far even after playing soccer, jogging or bicycling. On a positive note: this red spot (some kind of skin irritation) on my right side has pretty much healed.
Sometimes I do miss the smell of some spicy body shampoo though…

Overall:
I definitely feel good, no problem with hygiene at all.
Showering takes longer than before and because I’m using more hot water now than compared to last year, financial savings are presumably negligible.

Conclusion:
Your mileage may vary. If you don’t mind a transitional phase, you’ll be off much more natural afterwards. I’m glad I gave it a try and I probably won’t go back to the soapy way…