Featured In: Only My Health
By: Dr. Dipesh Mahendra Waghmare, Medical Advisor Executive to Millennium Herbal Care
Soap is definitely an important facet of our daily living; Soap has evolved from its ubiquitous bar form to liquid and foam options. Advancements in soap technology, specifically foaming soaps, are making soap a more noticeable commodity.
Until early 20s liquid soap was not marketed and recently in short span foaming soap has gain popularity due to its unique properties. Foam are aerosolized liquid soaps dispensed through a specialised pump mechanism. Foaming soap is more efficient, hygienic, and an all-around sustainable option when compare with liquid soaps. Each pump of foam soap contains thousands of micro-bubbles that ensure maximum delivery of the active ingredient, which easily penetrates the skin surface and provides adequate cleansing action with desirable result in comparison with ordinary liquid soap. Each pump of foam soap uses significantly less amount of product than a pump of liquid soap, and deposits a rich lather-like foam that cover the large body surface area, so there is less consumption and also leads to more efficient use Foam soap doesn’t rely on chemicals to create lather, either. Forced air causes natural lathering, which helps foaming soap biodegrade faster than traditional liquid soap, so it is
more environment friendly, another obvious environmental benefit is the conservation of water, foaming soap doesn’t required water to lather.
Each pump of foam is sterile so there is no chance of contamination of the product, also with each pump a fixed measured dose is dispense so there is less chance of mess and wastage.
Size of bubble indicates reach and spread, smaller bubbles take the medicaments to a wider area gives better coverage. Essential oils are complex volatile compounds, synthesized naturally in different parts of plant during the process of secondary metabolism. These essential oils have great potential, as they can effectively destroy bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens. The presence of different types of aldehydes, phenol, terpenes, and other antimicrobial
compounds makes these essential oils effective against a diverse range of pathogens.
Currently, there are many different intimate wash products available in market that can be used to keep intimate area clean and infection free, but most of these intimate wash contains chemical based anti-bacterial and cleansing agents that has an negative impact on our body, Harsh chemical based intimate wash may effectively cleanses intimate area but they kills both the bad bacteria along with the protective lactobacilli (good bacteria), which can leads to vaginal infection causing discomfort, itching and foul discharge.
For safe and gentle care of intimate area, now a days intimate wash are formulated naturally, that is free from harmful chemicals and contains 100 % natural botanical extracts (essential oils). Essential oils of herbs like neem leaf oil, tea tree oil, alovera and clove bud oil that possess natural antimicrobial properties are infused in the personal hygiene wash off products that ensure clean and infection free intimate area by inhibiting the growth of only bad bacteria, Natural intimate wash are completely harmless to use in intimate area,
they preserve the natural growth of the protective lactobacilli and maintain the vaginal pH, preventing the risk of vaginal infection and discomfort.
Hygiene isn;t just about having, clear skin or healthy hair. For women, especially in tropical climates like India it's also about taking care of their intimate area. Ironically, this is the one area that;s often neglected by the most.
Vulvo-Vaginal hygiene is extremely important for women, every women feels that they are taking proper care of their intimate area and they are safe from irritation, itching, pain, odour, white discharge and infection. But this ignorance can lead to a lot of health problems.
Most women believe that using soap or only water during bathing is sufficient for their daily intimate hygiene. Showering daily helps to get rid of dead skin cells, sweat, and dirt produced throughout the day. However, the vulvo-vagina area is very delicate.
These sensitive parts require special care and attention. While bathing daily keeps you fresh, it is simply not adequate to maintain your intimate hygiene.
Vaginal infections can occur if anything disrupts the natural balance of the good and bad bacteria that normally habiting the vagina. Two common infections are vaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis that causing discomfort, itching, foul odour and discharge.
There are various factors that affects the vulvar pH and triggers vaginal infections including endogenous factors (e.g. humidity, sweat, vaginal discharge, menstruation, urine and fecal contamination, anatomical folding, genetics, and age) and exogenous factors (e.g. soap, detergents, cosmetic products, lubricants and spermicides, occlusion with tight clothing or sanitary pads, shaving, and depilation products).
It is necessary to introduce women with the importance and methods of keeping their intimate area clean and infection-free. It is imperative for them to be aware of how to maintain personal hygiene in order to stay healthy by avoiding vaginal problems like - abnormal vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation, vaginal dryness, unnatural odour, and vaginal infections.
Following proper intimate hygiene everyday will help to keep vagina clean, fresh and infection free. One must use an intimate cleanser to cleanse the vaginal area and protect it from harmful bacteria and germs. Make a habit to wash intimate parts only with an intimate wash.
Using an ordinary soap may disturb the pH of the vaginal skin that increases the chances of vaginal infections. So, be careful and use only products designed especially for sensitive, intimate skin. It is not necessary to wash the vagina from inside, one should only wash the vaginal lips and the area around the clitoris. After using the toilet wash vagina to prevent transmission of any bacteria to the vagina.