NO SUCH THING How often do you actually need to shower?
14 snips
Oct 29, 2025 Katherine Ashenberg, author of The Dirt on Clean, and Dr. Lisa Acintillo, a board-certified dermatologist, dive into the fascinating world of showering. They explore historical bathing practices and how societal views on cleanliness have shifted. Dr. Acintillo shares insights on when to shower based on activity levels, the science behind body odor, and the ideal length for showers. The duo also discusses whether washing your legs is necessary and the benefits of using gentle cleansers, making for a delightful and educational listen.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Hosts' Showering Routines
- The hosts shared personal habits: Manny and Noah typically shower once daily; some shower twice after workouts or to feel fresh.
- Devin enjoys showers as private time and sometimes showers twice a day when he exercises and before bed.
Post-Plague Avoidance Of Baths
- Katherine Ashenberg recounts that after the Black Death Europeans avoided warm baths for centuries due to beliefs about pores and disease.
- She notes King Louis XIV took only two baths in his long life, washing mainly hands and face.
Soap Industry Shaped Daily Bathing
- Commercial soap and advertising reshaped modern bathing norms and made daily washing a social expectation.
- Soap makers used fear-based marketing to convince people that daily bathing was necessary to avoid social offense.
