The Gentle Touch: how paper towels can reduce irritation and bacteria transfer
Facial acne is a common problem and often requires special attention in skin care. In the search for effective methods to combat this ailment, many people turn to various remedies and methods, including using paper towels instead of regular towels. There are many opinions and claims about whether this approach really helps to reduce acne on the face. Let’s understand this issue in more detail.
Mechanisms of Acne Occurrence:
Before looking at the effects of paper towel use on acne, it is worth understanding how this condition occurs. The skin is the largest organ in the human body. It participates in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, transmits tactile sensations, regulates body temperature, synthesizes vitamin D, which is necessary for the assimilation of calcium. In short, it performs many functions, but most importantly, it serves as a hermetic barrier between the internal systems of the body and the external environment.
The skin consists of three layers. The first and deepest is subcutaneous fatty fiber, or hypodermis. It contains the main fat reserve and keeps the body warm.
Dermis is the second layer of skin, which is responsible for its elasticity and firmness. It is in the dermis that the main metabolic processes take place.
The uppermost, horny, layer of skin is the epidermis. It consists of special cells — keratinocytes, which act as a shield: protect the dermis from damage, as well as retain moisture in it.
The epidermis is continuously renewed: old keratinocytes are exfoliated and replaced by new ones. This process is necessary to maintain the skin’s defenses. It takes about a month for the epidermis to slough off all over the body and occurs on average 12–14 times a year.
However, the epidermis also needs protection, otherwise it will “wear out” too quickly. For this purpose, the skin has sebaceous glands that produce sebum. This substance additionally moisturizes the skin, maintains the balance of beneficial bacteria on its surface, and protects it from external factors — infections, dust and ultraviolet light. Normally, sebum is a fat with a consistency similar to vegetable oil. It easily passes through the skin like sweat and can be removed with soap or special washing products.
However, if too much sebum is produced, its composition changes. It becomes dense, similar to wax. As a result, sebum does not come out of the mouth of the sebaceous glands. The mixture of sebum and sloughing keratinocytes (skin cells) clogs the pores like a traffic jam and blackheads form.
Excess sebum can be associated with hormone imbalances, endocrine disorders, improper grooming, and taking certain medications.
In addition, excessively oily skin is a great breeding ground for pathogens that provoke severe inflammation in clogged sebaceous ducts.
Thus, there are three main factors at the heart of acne:
- excess sebum secretion,
- accelerated exfoliation of keratinocytes.
- in some cases — the attachment of bacterial infection.
Benefits of Paper Towels:
Paper towels, unlike cloth towels, have a number of advantages that can be useful in the context of acne control:
Hygienic: Paper towels offer single use, which reduces the risk of infection and the spread of bacteria that may be associated with the development of acne.
Softness: Unlike some cloth towels, paper towels tend to be softer and less prone to skin irritation, which can be important for people with sensitive skin.
Absorbency: Paper towels absorb grease well and can help reduce the amount of sebum on the skin, which can be helpful for people with oily skin who suffer from acne.
Possibility of Reducing Acne:
Based on these benefits, it can be assumed that using paper towels instead of cloth towels can have a positive impact on skin health and reduce the risk of acne. However, it is worth noting that paper towels are only one of many factors affecting skin conditions and are not a panacea.
It is also important to consider other aspects of skin care such as proper cleansing, moisturizing, regular use of products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, and a healthy lifestyle and diet.
Caution and Precautions:
Despite the potential benefits, you need to be careful when using paper towels. Too much friction on the facial skin can cause irritation and damage, which in turn can aggravate the acne problem. Therefore, it is recommended to be careful when using towels and avoid too much pressure.
Using paper towels instead of regular towels can have its benefits in the context of acne control. However, they are not the only or main factor in skin care. As with all skin care, it is important to take a holistic approach, taking into account all aspects of skin care and individual skin characteristics. In much the same way, a big part of skin care is using the right skincare products, and Foreo products can help you with that.
