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COMIC: Can I just wash the stinky bits? And other honest questions about bathing

Malaka Gharib/NPR

Cleaning your body seems simple enough. If you're smelly or sweaty, just hop in the shower or get in the bath.

But when you start getting into the details, things get more complicated. How often should you wash? Is it better to use bar soap or liquid cleansers? When should you get a new loofah?

Dermatologists Drs. Sonia Batra and Michelle Henry answer honest questions on the subject. Some of their responses may surprise you!

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This comic was written and drawn by Malaka Gharib and reported by Andee Tagle. It was edited by Clare Marie Schneider and Beck Harlan. The visual editor is Beck Harlan.

We'd love to hear from you. Email us at LifeKit@npr.org. Listen to Life Kit on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or sign up for our newsletter.

Copyright 2026 NPR

Malaka Gharib
Malaka Gharib is the digital editor of the NPR podcast Life Kit.
Andee Tagle
Andee Tagle is a reporter-producer for NPR's Life Kit podcast.
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