Dermatologists like Rossi think people can skip showers altogether, multiple days per week. This view isn’t unanimous, though. Khetarpal advises that most people “can and should shower every day,” ...

Additionally, if dirty hands touch an open wound, Saggar says this can be a portal of entry for germs. If bacteria successfully enter, people risk skin infections such as boils and folliculitis ...

The daily grind confronts us with dirt, germs ... dirty surfaces, “more intense germ removal is sometimes needed,” in which case it’s recommended to reach for soap when washing hands ...