Doctor gives expert opinion on Benny Blanco's showering habits after hygiene admission
A doctor has weighed in on how often you should shower after Benny Blanco made an unusual admission about his hygiene.
The music producer, voted among the world's sexiest men by People Magazine, recently admitted he likes there to be 'an aroma' when he walks past.
I'd have kept that one quiet, but ok.
While the 36-year-old, who is dating Only Murders in the Building star Selena Gomez, didn't win the Sexiest Man title - that honor went The Office US' John Krasinski instead - he's certainly been making headlines since his nomination.
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In an interview with People, he declared 'chivalry's not dead' as he explained how he wooed Gomez and gave tips on how to present yourself more attractively.
But what really shocked readers was his unusual aroma confession.
Blanco said: "I do a thing where I also don't believe in always shampooing your hair, or conditioning your hair. I'm really clean but I don't shower everyday.
"But some people I know shower two, three times a day, but I feel like the oils on your skin don't have time to rejuvenate and get juicy.
"I want there to be an aroma as I'm walking by. I want it to smell a little bit like man, a little bit feminine. I definitely lean, I think, a little more feminine in every sense."
Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, told UNILAD that Blanco is actually in pretty good company when it comes to his showering habits.
One third of Americans shower every couple of days or less, according to Harvard Health, while in the UK, a 2019 YouGov survey found just 49 percent of Brits showered once a day and 18 percent washed two to three times a week.
Dr Lee admits: "From a medical perspective, there is no absolute need to shower every day, and showering every day does not necessarily improve your health."
As it happens, there's not really an 'optimal time' of day to shower, either.
Starting your day with a scrub might seem wise, but Dr Lee says the key thing here is the length of the shower.
"Keep it short – three to four minutes only - [and don't] have the water too hot.
"Concentrate on washing the armpits and genital regions which have a lot of sweat glands and where bodily functions leave their trace."
But she advises that those with skin conditions might benefit from showering at night to help wash away any allergens picked up throughout the day.
She adds: "For those with skin conditions, dermatologists recommend applying emollient before getting into the shower, and using handful of emollient on the skin instead of soap, as a soap substitute.
"In addition, it may be preferable to wash your hair before getting into the shower, over the basin."
On that topic, Dr Lee advises: "There’s also no need to wash your hair every day. Those with thin hair should wash their hair every two to three days, those with medium hair every four days, and those with thick hair, every one to two weeks."
I'm sure Blanco would be delighted to hear that.
Ellie Kemp