Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
1.1K
“Am I Gross, Yes Or No?”: Woman’s Controversial Showering Habits Spark Heated Debate On TikTok
Allison McCarthy, who creates online content on lifestyle and personal finance, recently posted a TikTok video explaining why she believes that showering twice a week is perfectly normal, and it made the platform’s users rethink their hygiene habits.
The 27-year-old from Boston joked that she is a gross human being. “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,” she said, adding that, “I only shower, like once or twice a week. I’ve gone like five days without showering before.”
RELATED:
Content creator Allison McCarthy has stunned social media by revealing that she only showers when she wants to wash her hair
Image credits: Karolina Grabowska (not the actual photo)
Which is usually twice a week
Image credits: abmccarthy5757
McCarthy explained her reasoning in one of her TikToks
Image credits: abmccarthy5757
And it quickly went viral
@abmccarthy5757 Am I gross yes or no #washingmyhair #hairwashday #showerthoughts #fyp #viral ♬ original sound – Allison
Allison herself has been very surprised about the popularity of her showering video. “I didn’t have that many followers when I posted it so I wasn’t expecting that many people to see it or comment on it,” she told Daily Mail.
“I didn’t realize so many people would have such a strong opinion about it. I had a lot of people reach out and message me privately and tell me that they were happy that I spoke about it and that they weren’t alone. I was happy that I could make others not feel so ashamed or bad about themselves.”
The TikTok ignited a heated discussion on personal hygiene
Image credits: abmccarthy5757
Soon, McCarthy made a follow-up video, addressing a particular comment
@abmccarthy5757 Replying to @sstaceyy2 so sorry #fyp #viral #showerthoughts #doingmybest #hairwashday #showerday ♬ original sound – Allison
To her haters, McCarthy added: “I would say, be a little more compassionate to people. You have no idea what someone is going through and how an ‘easy’ everyday task for you may not be for someone else.”
“Often not showering is linked to depression or mental illness and it’s hard to even take care of yourself. Also, everyone’s body is different too. I know some people who never have to wear deodorant and don’t smell,” the content creator highlighted.
“There were people saying they have skin conditions such as eczema and showering every day dries their skin out. Just be a little kinder and understanding, don’t just assume certain things about someone.”
After receiving abuse, Allison purchased a shower cap and posted a video of her wearing the shower accessory, but she said she hasn’t used it yet.
She highlighted that there must be a stigma surrounding this topic
Image credits: abmccarthy5757
While many people were shocked by her confession
Some said they’re totally behind her
According to experts, showering every day could, in fact, be bad for your skin. Some dermatologists actually do recommend a shower every other day, or two to three times a week.
However, many people hit the shower at least once a day, either in the morning or at night before bed. Depending on the day and their activity level, some might even take two or three showers.
While there’s no arguing the importance of personal hygiene, the reality is that in many cases showering doesn’t have to be a part of your daily routine.
If you bathe too often, it can potentially strip your skin of essential oils. This causes dryness, which can lead to skin inflammation or eczema. Your skin may feel itchy and may crack, flake, and become red.
If you have a skin condition like psoriasis, more than one shower per day might even trigger a flare-up. Additionally, too many showers may rinse away good bacteria from your skin, putting you at risk for infections.
But showering too little can also trigger an imbalance of good and bad bacteria on your skin. Too much bad bacteria on your skin also puts you at risk for skin infections. This may cause dermatitis neglecta, where patches of plaque develop on the skin due to inadequate cleansing.
Bathing also removes dead skin cells; when you don’t bathe enough, these cells can stick to your skin and cause hyperpigmentation.
As with many things in life, the key is to learn what works for you personally.
And some questioned why is there such a fuss in the first place
What do you think ?
Nitka Tsar 1 year ago (edited)
Maybe I see this differently because I‘m from Europe…. But I think showering every day is overkill. Every two days is more than enough. Maybe less. Edit: of course it‘s normal to shower daily if you have a physically demanding job or do sports.
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 1 year ago
I would say not everyone has the same life, so, if you workout everyday, shower daily; if you live in a hot humid place, shower daily; if you start to smell, shower; if flies start to call you 'mommy', shower. But if not, no need to, to some people not showering can be good for their skin.
Load More Replies...
Cooking Panda 1 year ago
You do realize that it's possible to take a shower without washing you hair, right?? I mean, you can just rinse your body or cover your hair with shower cap. I don't think not wanting to wash your hair is a legit reason not to shower
PandaPops 1 year ago
My hair is too long and thick to go under a shower cap. I wash my hair once a week.i hate having wet hair. I hate the blow dryer and i get pins and needles in my arms just styling my hair. I do tie my hair up real high and use the shower head by hand so I can point the spray away from my head though
Load More Replies...
Kristal 1 year ago (edited)
It is interesting to learn about how people live their lives, lol though, that could be the anthropologist in me. I try to take a shower and wash my hair twice weekly. I have super long hair and doing it more than that is just too time consuming (washing AND drying). Obviously, this number changes if I'm super sweaty (working out, summer) or going on a date.
The Sassy Wife 1 year ago
I generally shower daily unless I'm mega tired but I also have super long hair down to the back of my knees so I get only washing it once or twice a week. It's a big chore.
Load More Replies... Nitka Tsar 1 year ago (edited)
Maybe I see this differently because I‘m from Europe…. But I think showering every day is overkill. Every two days is more than enough. Maybe less. Edit: of course it‘s normal to shower daily if you have a physically demanding job or do sports.
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 1 year ago
I would say not everyone has the same life, so, if you workout everyday, shower daily; if you live in a hot humid place, shower daily; if you start to smell, shower; if flies start to call you 'mommy', shower. But if not, no need to, to some people not showering can be good for their skin.
Load More Replies... Cooking Panda 1 year ago
You do realize that it's possible to take a shower without washing you hair, right?? I mean, you can just rinse your body or cover your hair with shower cap. I don't think not wanting to wash your hair is a legit reason not to shower
PandaPops 1 year ago
My hair is too long and thick to go under a shower cap. I wash my hair once a week.i hate having wet hair. I hate the blow dryer and i get pins and needles in my arms just styling my hair. I do tie my hair up real high and use the shower head by hand so I can point the spray away from my head though
Load More Replies... Kristal 1 year ago (edited)
It is interesting to learn about how people live their lives, lol though, that could be the anthropologist in me. I try to take a shower and wash my hair twice weekly. I have super long hair and doing it more than that is just too time consuming (washing AND drying). Obviously, this number changes if I'm super sweaty (working out, summer) or going on a date.
The Sassy Wife 1 year ago
I generally shower daily unless I'm mega tired but I also have super long hair down to the back of my knees so I get only washing it once or twice a week. It's a big chore.
Load More Replies...
Related on Bored Panda
77
253