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What Happens If You Don’t Shower for a Month?

What If | February 23, 2026



Every morning or every night. Before going out. Definitely after the big game.

For most people, showering is routine. But for some, it’s religion. But if lots of showering makes you feel divine, your body might be the real miracle worker. The average human spends more than a year of their life in the shower. And according to most dermatologists, that’s way too much.

But how else are you supposed to keep looking and smelling your best?

Transcript and sources: https://insh.world/science/what-happens-if-you-dont-shower-for-a-month/

Made possible with the support of Ontario Creates http://www.ontariocreates.ca

Watch more what-if scenarios:
Planet Earth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-HhCwYD7rc&list=PLZdXRHYAVxTJCzxwmCq0NNpYq9N9wyb2l
The Cosmos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfuJyVkMH_g&list=PLZdXRHYAVxTJno6oFF9nLGuwXNGYHmE8U
Technology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS3bBO05fpU&list=PLZdXRHYAVxTIeRY3JtgXgoGqSEB7kDdKO
Your Body: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmXR46TrbA8&list=PLZdXRHYAVxTJNsV9FFeNAKl2ySsHj8GZO
Humanity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdCDQIyXGnw&list=PLZdXRHYAVxTIFnvmOeWbv-Mt8zFxSCSvZ

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Comments

This post currently has 47 comments.

  5. @Jiggyjiggy123

    February 23, 2026 at 8:11 pm

    I disagree with everything in this video. I do not shower, bathe, or wash my hair for months on end. I do not stink. My hair is not greasy. I do not have dry skin or any kind of outbreaks. I do not use deodorant. I still don't stink. Objectively. Nobody in my family knows I eschew soap, so I periodically ask my very persnickety daughter or daughter-in-law to give me a sniff on the pretext of, "I haven't had a chance to shower in a few days…should I shower before we go out?"
    They always tell me I smell very nice (I don't wear perfume). I get more compliments on how beautiful my hair is than I ever have. It's shoulder length, very soft, shiny, with no split ends. I have not used shampoo in over three years. I used to rinse my hair in water because I thought I should do something. Gave up on that two years ago.
    I no longer itch like I did.
    I'm sure many of you are grossing out over this, but I have never felt prettier. My clothes don't even have to be laundered as often. Yes, I wash my underwear regularly, seven pair of panties in the washing machine every Saturday.
    I'm not sure why but my nails are getting stronger and I no longer have cracked or calloused heels and I wear flip flops almost exclusively. Even my feet are pretty. 😂

  7. @Galactic_shu

    February 23, 2026 at 8:11 pm

    Me :- 😂 DURING MY ENGINEERING ERA ( WINTER ☃️ ❄️ ) , WHERE I STAYED MORE THAN 2 MONTH WITHOUT BATHING 🧼 ❌ BUT STILL, MY BODY IS PALE AND WITHOUT ANY INFECTION…. TRULY MY INDIAN-MONGOLIAN GENES ….

  8. @StormLaker

    February 23, 2026 at 8:11 pm

    I work from home, and honestly I never need to shower more than maybe once a week. I shave every few days, and as long as I put on fresh clothes everyday………nobody complains.

  20. @teachoc9482

    February 23, 2026 at 8:11 pm

    I haven't used soap on my body or face in years and I look and smell fine. I use really hot water and gentle washcloth for exfoliation. But, I do shampoo my hair every 2-3 days.

  22. @matthewcaughey8898

    February 23, 2026 at 8:11 pm

    If you don’t shower within a week you’ll reek so bad nobody will want to be anywhere near walking BO. I have a friend with this problem. And he still refuses to shower, this in spite of the fact that he reeks of BO so bad I once gagged when I was walking behind him. The reality is nobody likes BO and not showering for a month? You’ll stink so bad that nobody will want to be anywhere remotely close to you

  27. @HMBRTOABLE

    February 23, 2026 at 8:11 pm

    If you’re not gonna shower everyday, just remember, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to apply deodorant or cologne/perfume. Please use those if you don’t shower everyday. That’s the best you can do. Trust me.

  29. @DavidPT40

    February 23, 2026 at 8:11 pm

    I've read that troops in the field who can't shower develop bumps and blisters until about the 6 week mark. Then it goes away. As for me, give me some good old sulfur soap and lets eradicate all that bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

  30. @Yorkie-222

    February 23, 2026 at 8:11 pm

    I shower once every 3 weeks on the same day I wash my bedding every 3 weeks. I don't smell my hair is not over greasy. I dont have dandruff I dont itch, I don't have spots.when I go to bed that night when I have showered and washed my bedding it feels like heaven.

  33. @johnnystanks

    February 23, 2026 at 8:11 pm

    When I was in the military in 2011 in a FOB in Afghanistan. This isn't true I once didn't bathe for 7 1/2 weeks. I didn't smell bad it wasn't unpleasant smell but it was a different earthy wood with diesel is the best way I can describe it, but after words I had the worst odor I don't remember if it was the government soap or what but it made me smell horrible and my skin broke out bad acne worse than my teenage days.

  34. @MrPaul-vh4vh

    February 23, 2026 at 8:11 pm

    How did people live in the past before soap existed? This is something to think about. Who decided that we must shower with soap? Maybe water alone is enough. In fact, soap can weaken our skin by removing beneficial bacteria.

  38. @BADVIBEZ8

    February 23, 2026 at 8:11 pm

    “Skin will look better” that’s the funniest lie I’ve heard all year because you’re skin just ends up greasy and also acne prone with no washing but whatever you say dawg😂😂😂😂

Comments are closed.

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