Evie Asks:
I read that antibacterial soaps aren’t any better than plain soap. Does that mean the Dial has been lying to me?
The Right Brain replies:
According to a University of Michigan study, antibacterial soaps are no better than regular soap when it comes to killing bacteria. Even worse, Triclosan (the antibacterial agent in typical hand soaps) may even help some bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics like amoxicillin.
Is Anti-bacterial soap really pro-bacteria?
The study, published in the August edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases reviews 27 studies conducted between 1980 and 2006, and found that the kinds of Triclosan-based antibacterial soaps sold to consumers were no better than plain soaps for removing bacteria and for preventing symptoms of infectious diseases.
Furthermore, the study, led by U-M School of Public Health’s Allison Aiello, found that e-coli bacteria could survive exposure to the low levels of Triclosan used in consumer products.
Was Dial lying?
Not necessarily. Triclosan is recognized to be an effective antimicrobial agent. In fact, hospitals-grade products use Triclosan at higher, more efficacious, levels. But apparently whatever testing was done by Dial (and other companies that sell antibacterial soaps) didn’t fully reflect real world usage conditions. Remember, the FDA does not control the amount of Triclosan in antibacterial soaps for consumers nor do they regulate any testing. According to the article, this U-M study is the first time the effects of these soaps were studied clinically.
What does this mean for you?
Don’t be lazy when you wash you hands! Regular soap and water work wonders as long as you don’t skimp on the scrubbing. But if you’re still bothered by bugs, consider using a hand sanitizer like Jao
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Link to Jao does not work.
Would love to check it out.
It works now!
Love the Hoff pic!!
hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
As far as I know they still use plain old Dial in hospitals for sponge baths, and pure castile for shaving. Nothing fancy.. It really is all about the friction of getting off the dead skin cells and such.
I think Sarah Bellum picked THAT picture! Or maybe Lindsay Lohan?
Karen: Regarding the picture, let me just say “Been there, done that.”
Sarah: I should know better than to ask….but where’s “there” and what’s “that”?
I worked at a major mfr of these types of products. Triclosan is a tricky chemical and they need to add a fair amount of alcohol to the formula. I can’t remember why, its either to dissolve the triclosan or to ‘drive’ it into your skin. My point is that in these antibac soaps are inherently drying. Also, very few people wash their hands properly, (ever see a surgeon wash their hands on tv?) so using an anti-bac soap is pointless. If you’re truly concerned about germs, wash your hands properly with regular soap and a nail brush, then use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer afterwards.
Hey,is that soap dispenser for sale?
You’re right. Antibacterial products have helped create “supergerms,” bacteria that are resistant to antibacterial agents, like topical treatments and oral antibiotics. Furthermore, they don’t do a thing at preventing the spread of viruses (they’re anti*bacterial*). Washing hands with soap and water, making sure to scrub fronts and backs of hands, as well as between fingers, for 20 seconds is the only sure way to help prevent the spread of germs, both bacterial and viral. Soap works by chemically binding with dirt and germs (doesn’t matter how hard or softly you scrub), lifting them from the skin, then they all get washed down the drain when you rinse.