The Health Benefits of Not Using Soap and Shampoo: A Doctor's Perspective

🛁Dr. James Hamlin stopped using soap, shampoo, and conditioner five years ago and believes that reducing the use of hygiene products can lead to a healthier lifestyle.

🧼The skin has a microbiome, similar to the gut, with trillions of microbes. Many of these microbes are healthy and beneficial to the body.

🌱Reducing the use of hygiene products can help maintain the balance of the skin microbiome and improve overall skin health.

🚿Dr. James Hamlin recommends gradually reducing the use of hygiene products and finding a personal balance that works for each individual.

🧽While reducing the use of soap and shampoo, it is still important to practice good hand hygiene, especially during a pandemic.

What led Dr. James Hamlin to stop using soap, shampoo, and conditioner?

—Dr. James Hamlin started minimizing various aspects of his life and became interested in the skin microbiome. This led to an experiment of reducing the use of hygiene products.

Does not using soap and shampoo make you smell bad?

—According to Dr. James Hamlin, the body's natural smell will vary depending on the individual. Over time, the body adjusts, and a person will not smell unpleasant.

What are the benefits of reducing the use of hygiene products?

—Reducing the use of hygiene products can help maintain the balance of the skin microbiome, improve skin health, and reduce dependence on unnecessary products.

Should I stop using soap and shampoo completely?

—Dr. James Hamlin recommends finding a personal balance and gradually reducing the use of hygiene products. Complete cessation may not be necessary for everyone.

Should I still use soap and shampoo during a pandemic?

—Dr. James Hamlin emphasizes the importance of good hand hygiene and recommends using soap for handwashing to prevent the spread of germs.

00:00Dr. James Hamlin hasn't used soap, shampoo, and conditioner for the past five years.

00:26The skin has a microbiome with trillions of microbes, similar to the gut microbiome.

01:04Dr. James Hamlin experimented with reducing the use of hygiene products to understand the importance of the skin microbiome.

02:30Gradually reducing the use of hygiene products can help maintain the balance of the skin microbiome and improve overall skin health.

03:11While reducing the use of soap and shampoo, it is still important to practice good hand hygiene, especially during a pandemic.