TikToker calls out 'S'porean Chinese' in plea for guys to shower before going out because of smell
Zhaki Abdullah
The Straits Times
Feb 9, 2025
Showering in the morning has unexpectedly become a point of contention in Singapore in recent weeks.
On Jan 21, TikToker Steph Leong, who uses the handle mianbaobreadpan, posted a clip on the short video app urging people to shower in the morning before heading out and taking public transport.
She suggested that those who had not done so smelled as though they had not washed their bedsheets in months and had "marinated in months of night sweat and hair oil".
The 80-second video has since received more than 260,000 views, in addition to inspiring a slew of response videos and memes both supporting and opposing Ms Leong's views.
But should everyone hit the shower before heading off to work or school? The Straits Times sniffs out the truth.
What causes body odour?
Body odour is caused by sweat coming into contact with bacteria on the skin, said Dr Coni Liu.
The founding dermatologist of DermAlly Specialist Skin Clinic and Surgery described it as "normal" and primarily caused by the breakdown of sweat, sebum or keratin by bacteria on the skin surface.
Body odour can also come from external causes like superficial skin infections or internal causes like certain foods and medications that we ingest, she said.
The TikToker's call to shower was aimed primarily at "Singaporean Chinese", in particular, "millennial men and Gen Z boys". How do factors such as race, age or gender affect body odour?
Genetic factors can result in differences in body odour among different ethnic groups, said Dr Tan Kian Teo, a dermatologist at Skin Physicians.
Dr Liu said that cultural influences - such as race, social upbringing, gender and age - can affect diet and hygiene habits and hence influence body odour.
She added that age can also play a factor, with pheromone-producing apocrine glands - found in the armpits, groin and breasts - producing a thick secretion containing scented pheromones after puberty.
These produce an offensive odour when broken down by bacteria that normally live on the skin, she said.
How does showering affect body odour?
"Washing the body with soap and water removes dirt and bacteria from the skin, reduces infection, prevents unpleasant body odour, improves circulation and has been shown to improve mood and potentially enhance sleep quality," said Dr Liu.
"For a person who sweats easily, showering often helps to remove the sweat on the skin and reduces the activity of bacteria on the sweat - which is the primary cause of body odour," she added.
Dr Tan said showering also helps remove dead skin cells and excess oil from the skin. "Apart from hygiene, it is also refreshing to have a shower," he added.
Should everyone shower in the morning, and how many times a day should people shower?
Dr Tan said that there is no ideal time for a shower, and it depends on an individual's lifestyle and habits.
A shower in the morning could help one feel more refreshed, while one in the evening could be relaxing, he added.
"There is no scientific evidence for the 'ideal' number of showers per day, as this largely depends on individual factors like skin type and activity level, climate and personal preference," said Dr Liu.
"Generally, showering once a day is sufficient for most people - but people with oily skin or heavy activity level may need to shower more frequently," she added.
Is there such a thing as showering too much?
"Definitely. Most dermatologists will not advise frequent showers as this strips away the natural oils on the skin, which act as a skin barrier, and can lead to dermatitis and aggravate eczema," said Dr Liu.
She advised that people take cool showers no more than two to three times a day with a gentle soap.
In recent years, Hollywood celebrities like Ashton Kutcher and Kristen Bell have revealed in interviews that they do not shower daily. Do people have to shower every day?
Some experts in the West have suggested it is unnecessary to shower daily, with US doctor and author James Hamblin writing in The Atlantic in 2016 that he had stopped showering regularly.
This, however, may not be applicable in Singapore's context.
"If the climate is cold and an individual has a low activity level, it may be acceptable not to shower daily in certain countries and cultures," said Dr Liu.
But Dr Tan said: "In tropical Singapore, we perspire a lot more due to the heat and humidity. Therefore, we may need to shower more frequently."
Besides showering, what else can people do to deal with body odour?
The use of anti-perspirants and deodorants can improve body odour, said Dr Liu.
She noted that the difference between the two is that while anti-perspirants are designed to reduce sweat on the skin, deodorants do not prevent sweating and instead mask the malodour produced by sweat-metabolising bacteria.
An anti-perspirant preparation may also contain a deodorant, she added.
Dr Tan noted that a botox injection can be used to treat excessive sweating.
He added that other methods of preventing odour include avoiding sulphur-rich foods such as onions, garlic and red meats, removing hair to allow sweat to evaporate more easily and wearing light and breathable clothes.
