Personal hygiene is our way of taking care of ourselves
Personal hygiene is our way of taking care of our bodies. It includes bathing, washing our hands, brushing your teeth and many more. It is also an act of self care because when we take care of ourselves, we prevent illnesses and also feel good in the process.
We come in contact with many germs and viruses that can linger on our body and make us sick in some cases. Learn more about personal hygiene and its importance on how it can change your life for the better and feel better.
Types of Hygiene Practices
Each person’s idea of personal hygiene is different and these main categories are a useful place to start for building good hygiene habits:
Toothbrush / Dental Care
This is more than pearly white teeth. Caring for your teeth and gums is a smart way to prevent gum diseases and cavities.
Brush at least twice a day for two minutes. Aim to brush before you wake up and before you go to bed. Kung kaya? Brush your teeth after meals and floss between your teeth daily. You can ask your dentist for an antibacterial mouthwash. These two steps can help eliminate pockets where bacteria and germs build up and prevent tooth decay.
Sheets
Bacteria, fungi, and viruses don’t just appear out of nowhere. To get to the bedsheets, either it came in contact from the outside world on clothing or skin. In general, germs are spread through personal contact, when meeting friends, in a crowd, or standing near a stranger. It’s possible you are catching a number of germs. The germs are then carried back home and then the bedroom and onto the bed sheets.
The number one most useful way to prevent germs from spreading onto the bed sheets is to wash hands routinely. Hands are the most likely areas to pick up germs from the outside world. Washing with soap and water will clean them. Bedding should be washed frequently in hot water even though it’s a high absorbent fabric. They should also be given time to dry properly under the sun or a dryer.
Makeup Brush
If you are wondering how to clean makeup brushes, what to clean them, and the best way to clean them, we got some answers to your questions:Â
First, rinse the brush hair under lukewarm water. Wash the bristles only, keeping the handle and the metal part dry to prolong the life of your brush. If the metal part becomes wet, the glue may loosen and lead to shedding then the wooden handle may become swollen and crack.
Add a drop of baby or sulfate free shampoo or a gentle makeup cleaner on your hands and swirl the brush in it to coat each hair. Next, rinse the soapy brush in the water and wash all the product that was released, depending on how dirty your brush is, you may need to repeat the process. Be careful not to submerge the brush. Once its completely clean, reshape the brush head and lay it flat with the bristles.
Makeup
Always wash your face twice a day after waking up and before going to bed. When taking off your makeup, wipe your makeup off with a micellar water or cleansing oil gently (avoid using coconut oil), then wash your face with a gentle and mild cleanser on your skin. During night time, put on your toner, moisturizer, and serum. If you are in your early twenties, start using retinol once a week to prevent early signs of wrinkles.
During the day, always wear sunblock and vitamin C serum to prevent sun damage and sun spots. The sun will make you age ten times faster than before, and always protect your skin. Washing your face properly will prevent acne and do wonders on your skin.
What are the effects of poor personal hygiene?
Good personal hygiene leads directly to less illnesses and better health. However, poor personal hygiene can lead to some minor side effects like body odor and greasy skin. They can lead to more troublesome issues or even serious issues.
Here’s an example: if you don’t wash your hands frequently, you can easily transfer germs and bacteria to your mouth and eyes. This can lead to many issues like stomach viruses and pink eye.
Not brushing your teeth can lead to tooth issues and plaque build up. Poor dental care is also a risk factor to several serious health issues, including heart diseases.
Poor hygiene can affect your self-esteem or make you at target for bullying. Looking good and feeling presentable can give you a confidence boost and sense of pride in your appearance.