# Do you wash your back every time you shower? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 7, 2017, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530 "2017-01-07T15:27:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2017, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/21 "2017-01-08T04:06:53Z")
You people don’t wash your feet? No wonder so many people have stank-ass shoes and feet. But yeah, I generally wash myself from stem to stern when I take a shower- chest, arms, legs, feet, back, ass, crotch, face and hair. I wash my back more or less like Broomstick does, although I can reach pretty much all of it if I have to. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2017, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/22 "2017-01-08T05:00:10Z")
I only remember I have a back when it aches or when it itches. It does neither in the shower. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2017, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/23 "2017-01-08T19:15:02Z")
Shower brush every day. There are parts of my back that I haven’t been able to reach for years, and it itches. On the other hand, I only shampoo when my hair gets dirty or greasy. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2017, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/24 "2017-01-08T21:20:13Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I can more than touch my fingertips behind my back. Slight tangent–I can easily hook my fingers together behind my back when I put my left arm over my shoulder and my right arm under. But with my left arm under and right arm over, it’s not even close–my fingers don’t come closer than about 6 inches. It’s a little disturbing that I’m so asymmetrical… ---
**Author:** ![Randolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Randolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randolph)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2017, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/25 "2017-01-08T22:24:57Z")
I once saw a dermatologist who had the most youthful, glowing skin I’ve ever seen - it was a real “Hey, there really IS something to this stuff” encounter. She said that all you needed to wash was your face, pits, crotch, and feet. She had a little pantomimey dance she did as she said it. Your skin mostly takes care of itself. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2017, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/26 "2017-01-08T23:40:12Z")
Everything gets a simple layer of soap and wash off. A little more attention in areas that grow hair longer than arm hair. So yes to the back, but no particular scrubbing or anything like that. Just swipe all over and rinse. Plus I have long hair, so whenever I wash that, the backside gets all that rinsed shampoo over it too. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/27 "2017-01-09T02:03:52Z")
I do, with a wet soapy washcloth. I soap up all over, in fact. I like to be nice and clean. As far as the pits, bits, face, feet thing, keep in mind that while you may not get as sweaty or dirty on the rest of your body, but you DO need to get rid of those dead skin cells. You may not want to use soap, but at least try to scrub all over with a wet washcloth. > [@bump](#): > > You people don’t wash your feet? No wonder so many people have stank-ass shoes and feet. And a recipe for athletes’ foot. Get between your toes, and dry them thoroughly. No matter how many of these threads we have, Doper hygiene never fails to appall me. If you’re worried about wasting water, turn it off while you’re soaping up. But for the love of god, don’t think that only certain areas of your body get dirty, or that you’re not smelly, because YOU can’t smell yourself. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/28 "2017-01-09T02:06:46Z")
A trip to a dollar store yielded a back washing implement that is, well, a net bath scrunchy attached to a plastic stick. It is just the right length to reach that part of my back that arthritis has made difficult to reach. It feels good to use, so I don’t forget it or ignore it. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/29 "2017-01-09T06:28:34Z")
> [@bump](#): > > You people don’t wash your feet? No wonder so many people have stank-ass shoes and feet. Actually, sometimes I wash my feet separately - have a very nice foot bath with a heater and massaging bubbles. It’s one of our little luxuries. Also give the feet a good scrubbing with a brush, helps keeps the callouses under control. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/30 "2017-01-09T13:29:47Z")
I belong to the ‘let water do its job’ club. In fact, I’m the vice president of the local chapter. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/31 "2017-01-09T13:58:28Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > As far as the pits, bits, face, feet thing, keep in mind that while you may not get as sweaty or dirty on the rest of your body, but you DO need to get rid of those dead skin cells. A) Why? What will happen if I don’t? B) What dead skin cells? Are there any cells left to shower off after wearing a shirt over my back all day, what with its constant rubbing? ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/32 "2017-01-09T14:18:37Z")
Pretty much every time, just because it feels good. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/33 "2017-01-09T15:16:37Z")
Thorough soaking in hot water, then a minute or so with the scrub brush. Gets that ooonnneeeee itchy spot. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/34 "2017-01-09T15:26:16Z")
> [@Randolph](#): > > I once saw a dermatologist who had the most youthful, glowing skin I’ve ever seen - it was a real “Hey, there really IS something to this stuff” encounter. She said that all you needed to wash was your face, pits, crotch, and feet. She had a little pantomimey dance she did as she said it. Your skin mostly takes care of itself. Why the face? The other parts, it’s plain enough, but what about the face requires more washing than the arms, chest, back or legs? ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/35 "2017-01-09T15:32:34Z")
My back only gets washed when my wife is in the shower with me. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/36 "2017-01-09T15:39:10Z")
> [@astro](#): > > . . . The routine is shampoo gets used as a general hair and body wash for everything reachable by hand then to dry off there’s a vigorous 2 handed towel scrubbing across the back as the finish. . . . . Ditto. There’s enough shampoo in my hair that it washes across my back. In fact, the conditioner sort of sticks to my back and I have to do extra rinsing to get it off. Between that and the towel, I figure I’m good. > [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > . . . B) What dead skin cells? Are there any cells left to shower off after wearing a shirt over my back all day, what with its constant rubbing? There are some. But according to Mary Roach in _Packing for Mars_, studies have shown that changing your clothes not only removes most of the flaking skin cells, it removes most of the sebum as well. The studies looked at which fabrics were most effective at absorption and how long you could wear them before they were full. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/37 "2017-01-09T15:45:52Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > A) Why? What will happen if I don’t? > > B) What dead skin cells? Are there any cells left to shower off after wearing a shirt over my back all day, what with its constant rubbing? Yep. NASA did some interesting research on “minimal hygiene” in the 1960’s and 70’s, and also some workers in places like Antarctica where daily showering, or even weekly showering, is problematic. Yes, you’ll still accumulate dead skin cells even with the rubbing of clothes although your clothes will remove a significant percentage of what you generate daily. Most people don’t actually need to shower daily - you’re not shedding bits that quickly - and a decent water pressure, water, and a brisk toweling probably take sufficient care of it for a lot of people. You don’t actually want to remove _all_ those dead cells at once because they are part of the protective structure of your skin. > [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Why the face? The other parts, it’s plain enough, but what about the face requires more washing than the arms, chest, back or legs? The face (some genders/cultures aside) is one of the most exposed body surfaces and, due to skin oils, is going to accumulate dust, grit, and so forth. People also unconsciously tend to touch their faces (it’s a sort of primordial grooming thing), which adds germs from the hands. Your face also has “gateways” to your interior like your mouth, nose, and eyes. The upshot is that your face does get dirty and germy and faily washing keeps that under control. Just don’t overwash your face, that can damage your skin and be a problem. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/38 "2017-01-09T16:07:34Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Come to think of it, I never wash my back. It never even occurred to me. How am I still alive? I don’t believe I’ve ever scrubbed my back in my life. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/39 "2017-01-09T17:05:59Z")
I have long hair. I figure when I wash my hair, my back gets washed in the process. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530/40 "2017-01-09T17:20:17Z")
> [@Doyle](#): > > My back only gets washed when my wife is in the shower with me. Seems like it works the opposite way for women: > [@Sarah Silverman](#): > > If you take a shower with your boyfriend, I guarantee by the time you step out of that shower, your breasts will be sparkling clean. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-back-every-time-you-shower/776530.md?page=3)