I, too, tend to believe that the soaps, shampoos, and other smelly things we all buy and take for granted in modern life may not be the healthiest things for us. However, in my household, we've addressed the problem (as we see it, anyway) by: 1) Making our own soap and shampoo; and 2) Only bathing on an as-needed basis (which equates to about twice a week for me). I also don't wear deodorant/antiperspirant.
Seems to be working out so far. I have long hair (for a guy, anyway), and I have a tough time not using shampoo. I suppose, in theory, if I stopped using long enough for my scalp to stop over-producing oils to replace what's routinely stripped out due to washing shampoo, then it wouldn't be a big problem (that, or I'd simply get accustomed to the feeling of my hair with natural oils). Frankly, though, I'd probably be more inclined to simply start shaving my head to avoid shampoo.
Different strokes for different folks, and all that. Everyone has their boundaries when it comes to personal hygiene, and we should all respect those boundaries. However, upon close examination, the daily bathing/hygiene rituals modern (US, Western, ???) life does seem a bit excessive. If we didn't coat ourselves with so much "stuff" (deodorant, conditioner, hair spray/gel, perfume/cologne, etc.), it seems intuitive that we wouldn't need to clean ourselves as harshly or as often as we currently do.
Seems to be working out so far. I have long hair (for a guy, anyway), and I have a tough time not using shampoo. I suppose, in theory, if I stopped using long enough for my scalp to stop over-producing oils to replace what's routinely stripped out due to washing shampoo, then it wouldn't be a big problem (that, or I'd simply get accustomed to the feeling of my hair with natural oils). Frankly, though, I'd probably be more inclined to simply start shaving my head to avoid shampoo.
Different strokes for different folks, and all that. Everyone has their boundaries when it comes to personal hygiene, and we should all respect those boundaries. However, upon close examination, the daily bathing/hygiene rituals modern (US, Western, ???) life does seem a bit excessive. If we didn't coat ourselves with so much "stuff" (deodorant, conditioner, hair spray/gel, perfume/cologne, etc.), it seems intuitive that we wouldn't need to clean ourselves as harshly or as often as we currently do.
Interesting topic, nonetheless.