natural no-soap bathing, the way to go?

[Showtime]

http://www.boingboing.net/2011/01/04/i-havent-used-soap-i.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+boingboing/iBag+%28Boing+Boing%29

[quote]I stopped using soap a year ago. It was easily one of the best moves I've ever made in my entire flippin' life.

About this time last year I read an article (http://freetheanimal.com/2009/12/paleo-i-dont-care-i-like-no-soap-no-shampoo.html) (which Mark mentioned here as well) extolling the virtues of a soap-free bathing experience. TL;DR version: Your body is designed to regulate itself. Smearing chemicals all over it wrecks its own built-in processes, and screws with naturally balanced pH levels. This made sense to me and I thought I'd give it a shot for a month.

At the beginning of February 2010, I blogged about the results I'd seen so far. I didn't stink at all (confirmed by friends, family and random people I ended up sitting next to on various forms of public transit), my skin felt better, oily and dry patches had all but disappeared and the light dandruff I'd had my entire life was almost gone. I was pleased with the results of my month experiment and decided I'd run with it for a while longer. As of January 1, 2011: it's been a year now, and I can't imagine ever going back.

More on the results I've seen: As I just mentioned, my skin feels better than ever before. Not that it ever felt bad, really, but it feels awesome now. Still no stink at all, I swear even when I'm really active and sweating I don't notice any B.O., and I used to be

[Jailblazers7]

Hmm, I might give it a shot. Does this include not use shampoo for hair?

[Showtime]

Hmm, I might give it a shot. Does this include not use shampoo for hair?
Yeah. You still bathe regularly, just don't use soap or shampoo. Apparently you will get pretty funky during the adjustment period where your body tries to regulate itself, but once that happens, the blogger says it's all good from there.

[Hazard]

Yeah. You still bathe regularly, just don't use soap or shampoo. Apparently you will get pretty funky during the adjustment period where your body tries to regulate itself, but once that happens, the blogger says it's all good from there.
Any idea how long it takes to regulate itself? This is interesting, I'm gonna try it.

[Lebowsky]

Yeah. You still bathe regularly, just don't use soap or shampoo. Apparently you will get pretty funky during the adjustment period where your body tries to regulate itself, but once that happens, the blogger says it's all good from there.

So he showers regularly, but only with water?

[Showtime]

Any idea how long it takes to regulate itself? This is interesting, I'm gonna try it.
Not sure, but it doesn't work for everybody apparently.

[Showtime]

The second link found here (http://freetheanimal.com/2009/12/paleo-i-dont-care-i-like-no-soap-no-shampoo.html)


So, I guess, take this with a grain of salt. I'm merely reporting on my own experience.

I haven't used soap or shampoo anyplace on my body for six months, save hand washing in advance of food prep. That's it. let me just report my observations and leave you to judge.

* Took about two weeks to normalize. That is, I felt my hair was greasy and skin oily up to then.
* Now it's intermittent. It's perhaps a function of water hardness, but sometimes skin and hair feel squeaky clean, and other times indeterminate.
* Even when I feel greasy/oily in the shower with just water, once everything dies out, it's always all the same -- fine; soft & dry.
* My skin & hair have never been softer. Never.
* If anything, my hair is less "greasy" than ever, yet shampoo hasn't touched it in over six months.
* Private parts. Have to address this, of course. This is the biggest benefit of all. Surprised? You'll just have to try it, because I'm not going to elaborate. That's why they call them "private parts." OK, a clue: maybe it's the constant cleansing that's the cause of the sweaty-stinky problem in the first place? If for nothing else, I'm soap free for life on this point alone. I feel as though I've been scammed -- and liberated. I can't explain further. You'll just have to try.
* You'll save a lot of money, especially you chicks. Grils: you can Google about no shampoo. Lotsa links.

I could go on, but ultimately you're gonna self-experiment or not. But if you do, give it at least a month. Weirdness cleared up for me in two weeks or less, but we're not all the same. I suspect that women who wash furiously and slather all manner of lotions might take a year or two to normalize.

[Hondo]

The ***** is the thing I would be most worried about. He doesn't elaborate if he is circumcised or not. The foreskin is known to harbor infections and different dirty things. I am skeptical about not washing properly, especially when the guy is too timid to go into sordid details.

I can vouch for the no shampooing though. My hair is fine, it goes through greasy periods, and then dry periods. It's self regulating. It helps living next to an ocean, and swimming in the sea a few times a week.

One question, why is shampoo called shampoo? edit: it's a Hindu word.

Also, from wiki:

'No-Poo' Movement

Closely associated with environmentalism, the 'No poo' movement consists of people rejecting the societal norm of daily or almost daily shampoo use.
[edit]Theory
Shampoo has only been used with fervor since the 1970s. Before then, either regular soap was used a few times a month or, just after the early 20th century, shampoo was used only a few times a year. It was in the 1970s that shampoo use became prevalent. Ads featuring Farrah Fawcett and Christie Brinkley asserted that it was unhealthy not to shampoo several times a week. This mindset is reinforced by the greasy feeling of the scalp after a day or two of not shampooing. Using shampoo every day removes sebum, the oil produced by the scalp. This causes the sebaceous glands to produce oil at a higher rate, to compensate for what is lost during shampooing. According to some dermatologists, a gradual reduction in shampoo use will cause the sebum glands to produce at a slower rate, resulting in less grease in the scalp.[17]

[Andrei89]

How about washing my a$$ with soap after i took a big dump?

Should i just wash it with water?

man oh man

[BigTicket]

I've done something like that all my life.

I shower daily, and use shampoo, but I don't use soap, there's really no need to. Like the guy says, there are no issues with odour, and my skin feels great.

[Hondo]

How about washing my a$$ with soap after i took a big dump?

Should i just wash it with water?

man oh man

You could start by wiping it properly.

[Mr. Grieves]

Sounds like the skunk just got use to his own smell.

Doesn't even notice B.O. lol. This is bull, it's one man's opinion. Need outside eyes to say if he stinks or not, normally and when breaking a sweat.

[Showtime]

Sounds like the skunk just got use to his own smell.

Doesn't even notice B.O. lol. This is bull, it's one man's opinion. Need outside eyes to say if he stinks or not, normally and when breaking a sweat.
He got the idea from this blog: http://freetheanimal.com/

Apparently, the guy is married, and his wife hasn't noticed that he stinks. There are also a ton of comments on the subject from people who have tried it.

[Naruto-sama]

i'm sure you could get away with it but there is a reason why most people bathe and clean themself with soap. Anti bacterial soap kills germs, bacteria and regular soap loosens them from the skin so they'll wash off with water. just rinsing won't get rid of grime or oily hair unless you are scrubbing with something.

[Showtime]

i'm sure you could get away with it but there is a reason why most people bathe and clean themself with soap. Anti bacterial soap kills germs, bacteria and regular soap loosens them from the skin so they'll wash off with water.

That's why we have immune systems. People didn't bathe with Axe body wash for centuries and they seemed just fine. We do know a lot more about bacteria, so we can treat diseases and our eating habits and preparation have improved, so I doubt if you bathe every day without soap that you would be constantly sick. And your mouth is one of the most bacteria-infested areas of your body, and not everybody is obsessed with using scope twice a day.


just rinsing won't get rid of grime or oily hair unless you are scrubbing with something.
The point is that your body will reduce it's production of oils to a normal level. If you are essentially removing all oils every day, and your body is trying to compensate, then your body is over-compensating all the time by producing more oils than necessary.

[mrpuente]

I only shampoo my hair like once a week. I used to never shampoo it when I had long hair. It was greasy as ****.

[niko]

I can't do that. I'd smell. I've done that when i run out of soap and don't want to use my wife's perfumey stuff and after a day i smell.

[DeuceWallaces]

There's no way I could go without shampooing my hair.

[Kensta]

I stopped using soap for a while now. I have sensitive skin and soap always dries up my skin. Tried a whole bunch of different kinds but finally gave up. I still shampoo my hair though.

[Hondo]

There's no way I could go without shampooing my hair.

First chick in the thread. I haven't met a girl that won't shampoo. Do you have naturally curly or straight hair? If it's straight, you could go without.

[Immortal Bum]

This feels like a prank

[kentatm]

ive tried not using shampoo before.

I lasted about 3 weeks.

my hair gets too matted for me to handle it.

i have a couple friends that dont use shampoo or deodorant though and it seems to work for them.

[LJJ]

Yeah, I mean really: do you realize how much you spend every year on soap? Some scam they got running.

No seriously, please use soap. If not for you then for everyone else.

[wheyhigh]

You could start by wiping it properly.
fck you mother****er. what is the proper way to wipe after youve taken a big shit that smears everywhere? i can literally go ply after ply on my ass and the smeared sh!t will still be there. i clean my ass with soap and water, quicker and no residue left over so if i want to ball up later on i don't have to worry about my ass stinking.

op-wat about your oily face? like waking up in the morning? do you use hair products? its almost impossible to get rid of hair products without shampoo/soap

[Hazard]

fck you mother****er. what is the proper way to wipe after youve taken a big shit that smears everywhere? i can literally go ply after ply on my ass and the smeared sh!t will still be there. i clean my ass with soap and water, quicker and no residue left over so if i want to ball up later on i don't have to worry about my ass stinking.

op-wat about your oily face? like waking up in the morning? do you use hair products? its almost impossible to get rid of hair products without shampoo/soap
Use a little tongue.

[Kensta]

fck you mother****er. what is the proper way to wipe after youve taken a big shit that smears everywhere? i can literally go ply after ply on my ass and the smeared sh!t will still be there. i clean my ass with soap and water, quicker and no residue left over so if i want to ball up later on i don't have to worry about my ass stinking.

op-wat about your oily face? like waking up in the morning? do you use hair products? its almost impossible to get rid of hair products without shampoo/soap

Cottonelle toilet wipes.

[wheyhigh]

Cottonelle toilet wipes.
how moist are they? i hate having excess moist running down my thigh, not a pleasant feeling (for me at least).

[JEFFERSON MONEY]

Lol.. I'm actually in the process of this. I've been using a loofah just to exfoliate, and if I really smell or whatever some white vinegar diluted with water.

Thus far, it's been fantastic. My entire body has a glow to it and it doesnt smell at all. However you gotta eat good too. Avoid that processed junk that sits in ur gut and finds a way to exit thru ur skin. Lots of fruits veggies fiber and water of course. I eat Indian/MExican/Oriental cuisine with lots of spices often and oddly enough no BO aftereffects lol.

Def not skippin Shampoo though. Herbal Essences ftw.

[hayden695]

I knew a guy who tried this, only for like three weeks though. Everyone was saying he stunk all the time though. Maybe he just never regulated, or just slower than others. I have went a long time without showering before, just when camping though.

I am thinking of trying it, could be cool to see if it works and I guess the money saved would be worth it. That regulating phase might get a little awkward though.

[Showtime]

I knew a guy who tried this, only for like three weeks though. Everyone was saying he stunk all the time though. Maybe he just never regulated, or just slower than others. I have went a long time without showering before, just when camping though.

I am thinking of trying it, could be cool to see if it works and I guess the money saved would be worth it. That regulating phase might get a little awkward though.
It's not a lack of bathing, just the method. Don't just stop cleaning yourself or you will stink.

[Kensta]

how moist are they? i hate having excess moist running down my thigh, not a pleasant feeling (for me at least).

They're like baby wipes but smaller and not as thick. They're moist but not enough to drip down your thigh.

[hayden695]

It's not a lack of bathing, just the method. Don't just stop cleaning yourself or you will stink.
I understand that, I just meant no showering because I was camping so I would take a dip in the river to clean off any dirt.

As for the other guy, I am not sure what he did. I think just water shower, no soap.

[Hibachi!]

I rarely use soap, but shampoo? that would just get greasy regardless of regulation. If you have short hair I can see it not mattering however.

[fiddy]

I rarely use soap, but shampoo? that would just get greasy regardless of regulation. If you have short hair I can see it not mattering however.

Agreed.


I've done something like that all my life.

I shower daily, and use shampoo, but I don't use soap, there's really no need to. Like the guy says, there are no issues with odour, and my skin feels great.

Im like that for a few months. I only use shampoo and soap for my dick.

[wheyhigh]

haha i thought i was weird for only using shampoo also.

[ErhnamDjinn]

Im trying this out now took my first bath without it
feels kinda itchy

[Immortal Bum]

Surely this is a prank...

[imlmf]

smh, i never understand these people

should we all go back to being animals altogether? almost nothing is natural

[rufuspaul]

OP is a total scam. Stop bathing with soap at your owm risk.

[Done_And_Done]

I would assume this natural regulation is said to be viable for both the male & female species. In all seriousness though, how effective would you imagine this process would be when it comes to a vag-een. The male gens are one thing but a snatch can be as fatal as an anthrax covered luchadore mask if left unclean and I say that with confidence stemmed from an unfortunate experience.

As for myself, I grasp the concept of not needing a cosmetic solution such as soap to make you smell good once this so called "regulation" kicks in but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll smell as good as someone who does use body wash and all the other store bought chems.

Hair is a completely different beast for me. I quit washing my hair with regularity about 4 years ago. I would say I shampoo about once every week and change

[Lebowsky]

****ing hippies. It's all I have to say.

[bagelred]

Does the guy use deodorant? If someone smells, it's usually underarm stank people notice.

It's like George Carlin said. The four key cleaning areas: underarm, assh0le, crotch, and teeth. And if you're really good, you use the same brush on all four areas.

[ErhnamDjinn]

I havent bathed in soap the whole day today, will try this for a week, although Im not sure on the shampoo part, my hair is starting to get oily

[Rasheed1]

No soap = BO stinking mofo....

[TonyJones]

I am using soap until the day I die. I am sorry but I like the smell of soap on my body when i get out of the shower.

Irish spring and Lever 2000 are the best.

[ZeN]

I could never take a shower without bar soap. Its the cornerstone of cleanliness.. I lather, rise, and repeat about 3 freakin' times.. Maybe more, but thats just due to the O.C.D.

[HisJoeness]

I wonder what this guy's diet is like. It'd have to be pretty natural/oragnic I'd imagine. Also what do people with hard water do? I've showered in houses with hard water and it is not pleasant after you get out.

[Andrei89]

Still..

if you take a big dump there is no way your black holer won't stink your underwear after 10 hours if you didn't clean it good with soap.

[kentatm]

fck you mother****er. what is the proper way to wipe after youve taken a big shit that smears everywhere? i can literally go ply after ply on my ass and the smeared sh!t will still be there. i clean my ass with soap and water, quicker and no residue left over so if i want to ball up later on i don't have to worry about my ass stinking.

op-wat about your oily face? like waking up in the morning? do you use hair products? its almost impossible to get rid of hair products without shampoo/soap


well... you could start by actually using the toilet when you first need to go instead of holding it until you start prairie dogging it.

you can't take a dump without it getting all over you?

are you 3 years old or something?

[ErhnamDjinn]

op-wat about your oily face? like waking up in the morning? do you use hair products? its almost impossible to get rid of hair products without shampoo/soap


My face has actually become less oily since I started 2 days ago, used to have a oily nose. I also used to sweat alot in my back and butt area now not so much, not sure if this is just a placebo effect but it looks like its working, My hair on the other hand is always satnding up like I have hair wax. I might have to Shampoo, so far still no smell.

[Naruto-sama]

I was thinking about this thread in the shower last night and i came to the conclusion if you only bathe with water you're dirty. I somehow doubt the ones doing this are even scrubbing themself with the water more than just showering it over them. AlSO a lot of people a long time ago had lice when there wasn't soap that their immune systems or water didn't get rid of entirely.

[Naruto-sama]

well... you could start by actually using the toilet when you first need to go instead of holding it until you start prairie dogging it.

you can't take a dump without it getting all over you?

are you 3 years old or something?


LOL

I ran out of toilet paper once so i got into the shower and bent over and opened up my butt and rinsed it with water and soap and i was clean as a whistle.

[Fuhqueue]

AlSO a lot of people a long time ago had lice when there wasn't soap that their immune systems or water didn't get rid of entirely.
Lice are parasitic insects, nothing to do with lack of soap, soap doesn't get rid of them either

[Naruto-sama]

Lice are parasitic insects, nothing to do with lack of soap, soap doesn't get rid of them either


Lice became a non issue after people starting bathing regularly with soap though. It was much more prevalent before hygiene improved.

[ErhnamDjinn]

I was thinking about this thread in the shower last night and i came to the conclusion if you only bathe with water you're dirty. I somehow doubt the ones doing this are even scrubbing themself with the water more than just showering it over them. AlSO a lot of people a long time ago had lice when there wasn't soap that their immune systems or water didn't get rid of entirely.
Im scrubbing myself with a bath gloves, its just the soap and shampoo that I stopped using, Im actually more meticulous now since I dont use soap anymore

[beer]

i'll do it. i love conducting experimental research. took my first soapless and shampooless shower this morning. i'll probably try this till spring break... so 2 months? but hey if it works i'll keep doing it.

[Kobe8]

Hmm, I might give it a shot. Does this include not use shampoo for hair?

i'd do this but theirs no way in hell im not going to use shampoo..

my head n hair is so sensitive..... hell , I even use conditioner after I put shampoo.

[Whiteness]

dr bronners magic soap ftw

[RedBlackAttack]

LOL

I ran out of toilet paper once so i got into the shower and bent over and opened up my butt and rinsed it with water and soap and i was clean as a whistle.
All right... I really didn't want to get too graphic, but you have forced my hand. You are playing a dangerous game if your routines include scrubbing your @nus every time you have a BM. That is a really good way to end up covered in hemorrhoids.

That is a VERY sensitive area and it also secrets self-cleaning oils. When you are too rough while cleaning or if you clean for too long a period, you will wash away those oils and the friction will result in hemorrhoids.

Stop doing that and learn how to have a BM like an adult... Or suffer the consequences.



As for the OP, it is an interesting concept. I have a little bit of hippie in me, so there is a part of me that wants to try this. The hair is a concern, though. I have gone days (maybe longer) without washing my hair in the past and the result is a greasy, matted mess. It is hard for me to imagine that it gets better after a few weeks.


dr bronners magic soap ftw

All I use.... I get it pretty cheap at Trader Joe's. The burning sensation on the skin is beautiful.

[Naruto-sama]

All right... I really didn't want to get too graphic, but you have forced my hand. You are playing a dangerous game if your routines include scrubbing your @nus every time you have a BM. That is a really good way to end up covered in hemorrhoids.

That is a VERY sensitive areas and it also secrets self-cleaning oils. When you are too rough while cleaning or if you clean for too long a period, you will wash away those oils and the friction will result in hemorrhoids.

Stop doing that and learn how to have a BM like an adult... Or suffer the consequences.





I had NO IDEA at all about that. I do clean my anus very well each time i shower, basically wash cloth it with soap scrubbing, then run water down to clean it. I do have hemroids sometimes too. I always thought i got it from eating nuts since it seemed to be coincidence with that but i wasn't sure. I hope you're not messing with me though.

What is BM stand for? I also wipe pretty hard too especially if i eat something sloppy and its just a messy dump. I'm sure i wipe clean whatever oils i'm supposed to have but i had no idea about that like i said. hmm.

[RedBlackAttack]

I had NO IDEA at all about that. I do clean my anus very well each time i shower, basically wash cloth it with soap scrubbing, then run water down to clean it. I do have hemroids sometimes too. I always thought i got it from eating nuts since it seemed to be coincidence with that but i wasn't sure. I hope you're not messing with me though.

What is BM stand for? I also wipe pretty hard too especially if i eat something sloppy and its just a messy dump. I'm sure i wipe clean whatever oils i'm supposed to have but i had no idea about that like i said. hmm.
BM = bowel movement

The main cause of hemorrhoids is people cleaning too thoroughly and/or being too rough with their butts. I can assure you that it is not a coincidence that you scrub your bum in such an aggressive manner and you have hemorrhoids.

Do some research. It is all at your fingertips.