Good personal hygiene is important for maintaining both physical and mental health - but one woman has sparked a debate on how often you need to wash to stay healthy. TikTok user Allison has divided opinions on social media after revealing how she only showers when she wants to wash her hair, which is once or twice a week.
The 27-year-old from Boston, America, thought her shower routine was perfectly normal until some social media users started picking her a part for it. In a TikTok video, Allison, known as @abmccarthy5757 online, said: "So I've recently found out that I am in fact a gross human being and this is because, most girls, when they say that they wash their hair twice a week, they literally mean wash their hair, and they shower every day.
"I only shower once or twice a week. I've gone five days without showering before. Because if I'm getting in the shower, I'm going to wash my hair.
"Why would I get in the shower and not wash my hair? But I don't want to wash my hair every day. I've had to start saying that I wash my hair twice a week - but I only shower twice a week."
Her video has racked up more than six million views - and sparked a debate amongst 37,000 users who couldn't decide whether showing twice a week is "gross" or "totally normal".
One user said: "She literally has no excuse for not showering, she has a skin care routine, gym routine, and works as a nurse."
Another user added: "I've been there and I do it too, if I’m not dirty I’m not showering. If my hair is dirty then I’m showering."
A third user said: "I cannot go 24 hours without showering. I refuse to believe this is real."
One more user added: "Thank you for talking about this. showering is so exhausting! How do people do it so much?"
According to the NHS, people need to wash their face and genitals area every day to keep their health up.
But they only need to have a full body wash in a bath or shower a minimum of twice at week.
An NHS statement reads: "Keeping yourself or someone you care for clean is essential. Poor hygiene can cause discomfort, skin complaints and infections, and can lower self-esteem.
"If you're finding it difficult to cope with washing or general hygiene, contact your local authority, a local carers' organisation, or call the Carers Direct helpline on 0300 123 1053."
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