There’s an ongoing argument on the number of wash towels we should use. Some say wash towels aren’t necessary. Others believe you need at least one to wash your body, after using clean hands to wash your face. There are also those who are adamant about using two wash towels (one for your face and another for your body) and replacing them on a daily basis. So, what’s the deal? How many wash towels do we really need?
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The answer is two.
“Two separate towels should be used for the face and the rest of the body. Facial skin is more prone to certain conditions, like acne, caused [by] bacteria (propionibacterium acne). In the interest of hygiene, a different towel is advisable,” said Dr. Jyotisterna Mittal, a dermatologist and venereologist with iCliniq.
To dry your face, Dr. Mittal suggests gently patting your face with a soft cotton towel, instead of rubbing it.
Multiple Towels
While some may find it mandatory to change their towels daily, it’s not necessary unless you are suffering from a skin infection.
If you suffer from a skin infection, like dermatophytosis (more commonly known as “ringworm”), Dr. Mittal advises using a separate towel over that area to prevent spreading the infection to other areas of the body.
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Changing a towel daily is more commonly practiced by those who suffer from delusions of parasitosis or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
“Patients may be seen to follow extreme hygiene rituals and use specially sanitized towels packed in sealed bags for every use,” said Dr. Mittal.
Wash your body, Wash your towel
While the soap and water combination may clean your body, it can leave your towel filthy and ridden with bacteria and mold. So, regardless of how many towels you use, the most important thing is to keep them clean and dry.
A moldy stench on your wash towel is a dead giveaway that you either didn’t allow your towel to dry completely or you’ve waited too long to throw it in the washing machine.
“Washcloths typically become soaked and heavily soiled during use. When used to scrub skin, soils from makeup or dead skin cells can rapidly accumulate. Being wet and not just damp (like a bath towel) means there is a longer dry time. This lengthy condition of moisture creates the perfect environment for bacteria and mold to grow to unacceptable levels,” Dr. Kelly A. Reynolds, an environmental health science professor at the University of Arizona, told Buzzfeed in a recent article.