Bath Puff
A bath puff is a body hygiene and skin care instrument used to clean human skin. The bath puff is a soft mesh object with a net-like structure, most commonly used for cleansing and exfoliating in the shower or bath. [1] Bath puffs are similar in purpose to other pieces of showering equipment such as loofahs, bath poufs, or bath sponges.
Bath puffs are often colourful, fuzzy looking balls of mesh and come in a variety of materials, shapes, sizes, and colours. The typical bath puff is used by wetting the object, applying liquid or bar soap to the material, and then rubbing it gently on the skin to create a frothy later.
Uses[edit]
Bath puffs are often used in the shower for cleaning and hygiene purposes by rubbing the material in circular motions on the skin. The bath puff can provide many benefits to the skin and its complexion.
The soft net, mesh material of bath puffs is helpful in softening and cleansing skin. The scrubbing, circular motion of the bath puff material against ones' skin gently exfoliates and removes the outermost layer of dead skin, as well as removing dirt and oil from the skin surface and skin pores. [2] Bath puffs are gentle and will not damage human skin.
Bath puffs and their exfoliating purpose can even out skin tone by lightening and fading dark skin patches.
The circular motion and friction of the bath puff against ones' skin improves blood flow and circulation. The increase in circulation can help maintain the complexion and structure of human skin. The circular motion and friction bath puffs create on the skin can act like a massage, which can help one relax and destress.[3]
Fashion[edit]
In June 2018, Lillian Smith was featured in an issue of Take a Break magazine for her DIY fashion tip of a bath puff fascinator. A fascinator is a piece of headwear appropriate for formal occasions.
Smith found a bath puff in a colour she found appropriate, and clipped it to her head in place of a fascinator.[4]
Exfoliation[edit]
Ancient History of Exfoliation Practices[edit]
Exfoliation can be dated back to Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Ancient China. Exfoliation was a practice of beauty for aesthetic purposes, for creating more beautiful skin and for removing excess hair.[5]
Ancient Greeks used pumice stones to remove excess hair and to smooth their skin.
In ancient Egypt, exfoliation practices were usually for the royalty. They used wine as an exfoliating agent due to the exfoliating nature of the tartaric acid in the substance.
In Ancient China, exfoliation was done through masks made from oils and minerals.[6]
Recent Practices of Exfoliation[edit]
Exfoliation became increasingly popular in the Western world in the 1970's. During this time, more exfoliation practices and equipment were being introduced into society. Exfoliating agents and equipment have are continually transforming and developing to create more skin friendly and effective methods to skin care and exfoliation. In the 1990's skin care and exfoliation shifted to focus on creating more safer methods for people. [6]
Materials[edit]
Mesh bath puff[edit]
Most bath puffs are composed of a mesh material which gives it its net-like structure and slightly rough fibres. Mesh is a flexible material that is made up of connected fibres where the strands are woven into a web or net.[7] Mesh bath puffs are made from plastic or synthetic mesh.
- Plastic mesh is made from polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, PVC or PTFE.[8]
Mesh bath puffs are soft and malleable. Their slightly rough fibres provide good exfoliation qualities.
Nylon bath puff[edit]
Nylon bath puffs are soft, elastic and durable. Nylon bath puffs usually come in a wide array of colours as nylon material is easily dyed.
Many nylon bath puffs are created with other fibres such as:
- Polyester
- Spandex
- Cotton
Nylon is cheap and affordable to produce, making nylon bath puffs economically friendly.
Nylon is a silky, plastic material that is moulded into fibres and structures when it reaches a certain temperature.[9]
Tulle bath puff[edit]
Tulle bath puffs are very sheer and gentle on the skin. Tulle bath puffs come in all assortment of colours as tulle fabric is readily available in all different colours.[10]
Tulle (netting) is a fine, light mesh net fabric, which can be made from various natural or synthetic fibres. Tulle fibres can include:
- Silk
- Nylon
- Rayon
- Cotton
Tulle bath puffs are one of the most skin-friendly and gentle bath puffs due to the sheer, thin nature of the fabric.
Cotton bath puff[edit]
Cotton bath puffs are usually made from crocheting cotton yarn. Cotton bath puffs are washing machine friendly. The looser the crochet stitch, the more bubbly and voluminous the soap suds will be during cleansing. [11] Cotton bath puffs are dense.
Linen bath puff[edit]
Linen bath puffs are very long lasting and hygienic bath puffs. They are smooth on the skin, and become more soft and wrinkly the more they are used. Most linen bath puffs resemble the natural colour of the linen material, which is ivory, tan, or grey. These bath puffs are suitable to be washed in washing machines as they can absorb large amounts of moisture, and dry very quickly. Linen bath puffs are very strong and durable and do not change shape from water contact. Linen is stronger when the fabric is wet.[12]
Linen is a fabric made from the fibres from a flax plant. The material is strong, absorbent, and cool to the touch.
Linen has the natural ability to prevent bacterial growth. For this reason, linen bath puffs are one of the most sanitary types of bath puffs, and are the most friendly on the skin.[13]
Bacteria and bath puff hygiene[edit]
It is important to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of bath puffs to avoid skin issues from bacteria accumulation. Although it is impossible to have no bacteria accumulation in bath puffs because bacteria exists everywhere, it is important to maintain bath puff hygiene to minimise health risks caused by bacteria.
Bath puffs are most commonly used in the bathroom where the environment is warm and wet. Bacteria and mould grows and spreads easily in warm and damp environments. After use, bath puffs are usually damp, allowing bacterial organisms to quickly accumulate which can then spread onto the skin during future use. Bath puffs also have many crevices which invite bacteria to settle and disperse. The exfoliating properties of bath puffs leave a large amount of dead skin cells within the material - dead skin cells attract bacteria and mould.[14]
The spreading of bacteria on the skin can cause skin problems or discomfort such as:
- Rashes
- Itching
- Infections
- Tenderness
- Folliculitis (an infection of the hair follicles)
Unsanitary bath puffs are most sensitive to freshly shaven skin, and the hair follicles are the most exposed.
To reduce bacteria accumulation of bath puffs, all excess water and soap should be removed and then be allowed to dry in a well-ventilated open space, where the whole bath puff is exposed to air. Bath puffs made from synthetic and human produced materials often dry faster compared to bath puffs made using natural materials. It is recommended that a bath puff made from natural materials is replaced every three to four weeks, and a synthetic bath puff is replaced every eight weeks.[15]
Disinfecting bath puffs is another way to prevent bacterial and mould growth. Disinfecting a bath puff involves:
- A bleach and water mixture
- Soaking the bath puff in the mixture for 5 minutes
- Rinsing the bath puff with water
- Allowing it to dry completely in a ventilated area[16]
Cleaning bath puffs in the washing machine[edit]
Depending on the material of the bath puff, they can usually be sanitised by giving them a general wash in the washing machine
Most bath puffs can be washed normally with laundry detergent and cold water. Warm or hot water washes can melt the bath puff material. It is important to let the bath puff air dry in a ventilated area. Drying bath puffs in washing machine dryers can melt the material and destroy the structure.[17]
Alternatives to bath puffs[edit]
Loofah[edit]
A loofah, or luffa, is a natural exfoliating equipment. It is made from the a vegetable from the Cucurbitaceous (cucumber) family.
Loofahs are lefts to ripen fully, which allow it to become extremely fibrous and spongy. The loofah fruit is left to dry and the skin and seeds are removed, leaving a skeleton of xylem fibers. These fibers resemble the mesh networks of bath puffs, and can be used as a natural exfoliating agent in the bathroom.
Loofahs have a spongy texture when soaked in water.
Bath sponge[edit]
A bath sponge is a cleaning aid made of porous material. Sponges are soft and highly absorbent of water. Bath sponges are considered vegetal cellulose sponges, and are made of wood fiber. These sponges are perfect of skin cleaning because they are made of more natural materials and are tougher.[18]
References
- ↑ "Why You Should Use an EcoPouf: All About Bath Sponges - EcoTools Blog". EcoTools Blog. 2012-02-21. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
- ↑ "Why Using Bath Sponge- Loofah A Necessity? | Blogs-Gubb USA". Blog. 2017-10-12. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
- ↑ "Benefits of a Loofah Sponge for your Daily Shower". Working Mother. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
- ↑ Barton, Laura (2018-06-26). "Does a woman with a bath puff in her hair spell the end of the fascinator?". The Guardian. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
- ↑ "Exfoliation (cosmetology)", Wikipedia, 2018-09-09, retrieved 2018-11-10
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "A Short History of Exfoliation - Vine Vera Reviews - Vine Vera Reviews". Vine Vera Reviews. 2015-03-21. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
- ↑ "Mesh", Wikipedia, 2018-09-26, retrieved 2018-10-18
- ↑ "Meshes and their types - Metal Mesh". Metal Mesh. 2017-07-31. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
- ↑ "Thermoplastic", Wikipedia, 2018-10-11, retrieved 2018-10-18
- ↑ "What is Tulle Fabric?". Discount Fabrics San Francisco. 2014-11-21. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
- ↑ "Free Crochet Bath Puff Pattern". The Spruce Crafts. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
- ↑ "Linen", Wikipedia, 2018-10-14, retrieved 2018-10-19
- ↑ "Cotton Vs. Linen: What\'s the Difference?". Brahms Mount Blog. 2015-03-30. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
- ↑ "Shower puffs are useless balls of germs". New York Post. 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
- ↑ "When To Toss It". Fitness Magazine. 2008-02-27. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
- ↑ "How often should I replace my bath sponge?". HowStuffWorks. 2009-08-20. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
- ↑ "How to Sanitize a Bath Sponge » How To Clean Stuff.net". How To Clean Stuff.net. 2010-05-14. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
- ↑ "Sponge (material)", Wikipedia, 2018-10-28, retrieved 2018-11-10
Bath Puff[edit]
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