Leg Washing Debate

Overview

Leg Washing Debate refers to a Twitter debate started by one Twitter user who asked the simple question, "Do you wash your legs in the shower?" The question created an unprecedented divide between those who do wash their legs and those who don't.

Background

On May 9th, 2019, Twitter user @Arpwel^[1] asked Twitter, "Do you wash your legs when you take a shower?" (shown below). The tweet gained over 2,100 retweets and 3,100 likes in four days.

Developments

On May 10th, 2019 many Twitter users responded similarly to Twitter user @ForeverTitianna^[2] who said, "I don’t just wash.. I scrub e v e r y part of my body (with exfoliating gloves and a wash cloth), everyday in the shower. Including behind the ears, belly button and every other place your mind can imagine" (shown below, left). The tweet gained over 10,000 likes in three days.
Other Twitter users responded light-heartedly. Twitter user @theshrillest^[3] tweeted, "y'all really get in the shower and don't wash your legs? life is short but it ain't that short" (shown below, right).

Many Twitter users had a problem with @sophcw's^[4]tweet saying, "i don't like use soap on my whole body when i shower? and i don't think i'm gross? i pretty much just wash my face and my armpits with soap. and i shower like once or twice a week lol. i think it's fine" which gained over 600 retweets and 1,300 likes in four days (shown below, left). Twitter user @mitzy247,^[5] like many other Twitter users brought up skin issues by saying, "I have psoriasis. I was raised for years as needing a shower every day with bar soap all over my body. My second dermatologist told my parents to stop using it because it was making my condition worse. Also recommended less daily showers. This isn’t uncommon medical advice." (shown below, right). The Elite Daily^[1] cited the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City claiming that, "Unless your legs are visibly soiled, you don't actually need to wash them directly with a cleanser. The cleanser that drips down your body is enough to remove most of the dirt and sweat that accumulates during the day."

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References