Soap is a staple of modern hygiene and most people use it every day without much thought. But have you ever wondered what would happen if you just stopped using soap altogether? How would it affect your health, hygiene, and daily routines? In this article, we’ll explore what happens when soap usage stops, the pros and cons of going soap-free, and how to do it safely. Read on to learn more!
What is Soap?
Before we get into the effects of not using soap, let’s review what soap is and why we use it. Soap is a mixture of fats or oils with an alkali, such as lye. When mixed together, these ingredients undergo a chemical reaction called saponification that allows soap to both cleanse and kill germs. The main cleaning agent in soap is the surfactants, which lower the surface tension of water to lift dirt, oils, and microbes off the skin and wash them away. Soap also contains emulsifiers that bind to dirt and oils and allow them to become suspended in water so they can be rinsed off.
In addition to its cleaning powers, soap actively destroys some bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms through a process called microbicidal effects. Its alkaline pH of 9-10 is hostile to many microbes. Regular soap use is an important hygiene habit that helps remove infectious pathogens from the skin and prevent the spread of illnesses.
What Happens When You Stop Using Soap?
If you were to suddenly stop using soap and other cleansers, your hygiene and health would likely suffer in a few key ways:
Body Odor Increases
Your body naturally produces sweat and oils that contain wastes and pheromones. Soap helps wash away these oily secretions before bacteria can start breaking them down and creating body odor. Without regular cleansing, sweat and oil build up faster, especially in areas like the armpits, feet and genitals. This provides prime conditions for bacteria to thrive and produce foul-smelling metabolic wastes. Expect your natural body odor to get much stronger.
Higher Risk of Skin Infections
Soap helps remove microorganisms that can cause skin infections, like bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Without this microbicidal effect, you become more prone to developing skin conditions like:
- Acne – from excess oil and Propionibacterium acnes bacteria
- Athlete’s foot – from fungal species like Trichophyton
- Warts – from human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Folliculitis – from Staphylococcus aureus bacteria
- Cellulitis – a bacterial skin infection of the deeper layers
Dirty skin is also more prone to harbor Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of antibiotic resistant bacteria than can cause serious staph infections.
Increased Risk of Gastrointestinal Illness
Many infectious diseases are spread through the fecal-oral route, meaning that microbes from feces enter the body through the mouth. Soap and handwashing removes pathogens like norovirus, hepatitis A, rotavirus, and pathogenic Escherichia coli from the hands before eating or preparing food can spread these illnesses.
Not washing hands with soap allows these pathogens to stay on the hands where they can transfer to food and surfaces. One University of Michigan study found that washing hands with soap removes almost twice as much disease-causing bacteria as water alone. This small hygiene step can prevent many debilitating gastrointestinal illnesses.
Higher Levels of Dust Mites and Pollen
For people with allergies and sensitivities, soap helps wash away allergens like dust mites, pollen, and dander that may trigger reactions. Without regular cleansing, more of these allergens remain on the skin allowing for more extensive exposure. This can worsen allergy and asthma symptoms.
Unwanted Cosmetic Effects
Soap helps control shine, oiliness, body hair, and unwanted body odor that many people aim to manage for cosmetic reasons. Without using soap, your skin and hair may become oilier and shinier. Body hair growth could seem more rapid and noticeable as hairs become more matted with oils. Any cosmetic routines that rely on soap and detergents would also need adjustment.
How Long Could You Go Without Using Soap?
So how long could someone actually go without using any soap or shampoo? The answer depends a lot on the individual and their hygiene habits, skin type, diet, climate, occupation, and other factors. Here’s an overview:
– Most people would see noticeable body odor, skin oiliness, and matted hair within 1-2 weeks of no soap.
– Within 2-4 weeks, flaky skin, body acne, and dandruff often develop and worsen.
– By 6-8 weeks, body odor becomes very pronounced and fungal infections like athlete’s foot or jock itch can set in.
– After 2-3 months of no soap, skin may appear discolored, scaly and unhealthy. Serious bacterial or fungal skin infections become more likely.
– Beyond 3 months, body odor is very strong and socially limiting. Higher risks of skin diseases, parasites, and gastrointestinal infections from poor hygiene.
However, some people may tolerate no-soap regimens longer with less issues depending on individual characteristics and hygiene habits. For example, very dry-skinned people may appreciate the extra skin oils. But most people can only go a few weeks at most before missing soap.
The Pros and Cons of Stopping Soap Use
Are there any benefits to giving up soap or reasons why someone might want to try it? Here are some of the main pros and cons:
Potential Pros:
- May improve skin moisture and acidity for some people
- Could allow more natural skin microbiome and oils
- May increase immune response from more exposure to microbes
- Can save money on soap products
- Avoid chemicals in soap that cause contact dermatitis for some
Potential Cons:
- Much higher risk of body odor
- Increased likelihood of skin infections and fungus
- Higher chances of illnesses from poor hygiene
- More matted, oily hair and dandruff
- Social and relationship difficulties from poor hygiene
- Can cause cosmetic problems with skin and hair
For most people, the cons seem to outweigh the pros when it comes to stopping soap use. But some individuals may find it beneficial, especially if they have very dry or sensitive skin. Mild, fragrance-free soaps can also help those with sensitivities.
How to Stop Using Soap Safely
If you do want to experiment with no soap, don’t go cold turkey. Gradually cut back on soap use over 2-4 weeks to allow your skin’s oils and microbiome to adjust. Be aware that the first 2 weeks will likely involve very oily, irritated skin. Monitor for any signs of infection. Keep showers brief and use warmer water rather than hot. Avoid sharing towels or hair brushes to minimize microbial spread.
Exfoliate occasionally with a dry brush or scrub to remove dead skin and oils. Use an acidic rinse like diluted apple cider vinegar to control bacteria, fungus, and odors. Consider shampooing just your scalp if hair gets too oily. And resume regular soap use if you develop any skin conditions, experience strong odors, or feel socially hindered. With caution, some people can manage a soap-free experiment safely for a period of time.
The Takeaway
While soap has some drawbacks, its regular use provides critical hygiene and health benefits for most people. Stopping the use of soap long-term comes with many undesirable effects like body odor, skin infections, and higher illness risk. But with proper precautions, going without soap temporarily may be feasible for some individuals if monitored carefully. Being aware of both the benefits and risks allows making an informed decision about your soap habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can you go without bathing?
Most dermatologists recommend bathing at least once or twice a week for adequate hygiene. Healthy people can generally go 1-2 weeks without bathing before body odor, oily skin, and germ buildup becomes medically concerning. More than 2-3 weeks without bathing can increase the risk of skin infections. Elderly, ill, or mobility-impaired individuals may need assistance bathing once a week or more.
What happens if you never wash your hair?
Going long periods without washing your hair leads to oil buildup, greasy roots, dandruff, and potentially hair matting. Hair follicles can get clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells, causing acne on the scalp. Unwashed hair also appears limp, stringy and unclean. Most people need to shampoo their hair every 1-2 weeks minimum for social and cosmetic reasons. Many choose to wash their hair 1-3 times per week.
Can you just use water to wash yourself?
While water alone can rinse away some dirt, oil, and microbes, it cannot clean as effectively as soap. Water lacks the surfactants that allow soap to penetrate oil and grease on the skin. Soap also actively destroys some viruses and bacteria, unlike water by itself. dermatologists recommend using gentle cleansers daily in the shower for adequate hygiene. For hands, research shows washing with soap removes double the amount of germs compared to water alone.
What diseases are caused by poor hygiene?
Many bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections can spread or worsen due to inadequate personal hygiene. Some illnesses linked to poor hygiene include hepatitis A, salmonella, staph infections, scabies, ringworm, yeast infections, respiratory viruses, streptococcal pharyngitis, periodontal disease, and pinworms. Handwashing with soap and bathing regularly are the most vital hygiene practices for reducing disease risk.
Conclusion
While you can survive for a period of time without bathing or using soap, most people begin to suffer noticeable effects after just 1-2 weeks. Body odor, oily skin and hair, acne, and dandruff will become apparent relatively quickly when soap usage stops. More importantly, poor hygiene raises your risks of developing certain skin infections, gastrointestinal illnesses, and other diseases over longer periods. Any benefits of quitting soap must be carefully weighed against these adverse outcomes. With prudent precautions, it may be possible to experiment with no soap temporarily, but most people need the regular germ-fighting and cleansing power of soap for optimal health and hygiene.