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General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Emilio Romero on 11/05/2009 16:23:30

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: Emilio Romero on 11/05/2009 16:23:30

I’ve been mulling this question for a while now; the commercials state that antibacterial soap is much better than regular soap, but once I heard that for that to be true you must wash your hands for about four minutes, like surgeons do before an operation.
So... which is better, regular soap or antibacterial soap? And, does the “antibacterial” product really kills more bacteria than regular soap?

Regards
Emilio

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: Bored chemist on 11/05/2009 20:51:42

Is there any evidence that the bacteria on your hands are doing any harm?
If not why worry?

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: Emilio Romero on 11/05/2009 21:36:44

Good point, thank you... But the thing is that where I live it's there is a permanent massive campaign that promotes the use of AB soap... and I think it might be misleading...

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: Bored chemist on 11/05/2009 22:01:45

I'm pretty sure it's misleading. Most people's skin harbours countless bacteria in a reasonable balance which do no harm. Unless the soap is proven to kill pathogens but not harmless bacteria it might well do more harm than good.

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: Don_1 on 12/05/2009 08:49:29

I agree with that BC. We are being brainwashed into a 'sterile' society. One ad tells us to kill harmful bacteria (in fact the product probably kills all bacteria) and the next tells us to top up our friendly bacteria. If we hadn't killed them in the first place, we wouldn't need to top them up!

By and large, our bodies are quite capable of dealing with the bacteria we come into contact with far better than any of these products, since our body can distinguish between the good, the bad (& the ugly (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-laughing003.gif&hash=6df8b2d3b5ac05d675c8c8754d695eeb) (http://www.freesmileys.org)) or at least, would be able to, if we left our immune system to get on with the job it is there to do.

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: ukmicky on 13/05/2009 00:32:44

If i dont rinse properly with normal soap and leave some soap suds on my face i will get spots where i didnt wash it off. But i get nothing with anti bacterial which to me says anti bacterial must be better.

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: Emilio Romero on 13/05/2009 02:41:42

cosmetic wise?
 [???]
normal soap tastes better... [;D] [;D] [;D]

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: wolfekeeper on 13/05/2009 04:09:25

If you have acne, then antibacterial soaps are nearly always better. With acne your skin responds badly to normal bacteria, and then wiping them out with an antibacterial agent is a really good thing. I get this, and find if I lather up, and leave to soak for a few minutes, and then rinse lightly- it makes a huge difference.

But for most people, no, not particularly.

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: lyner on 13/05/2009 13:58:57

Rinsing well with a hot face flannel is a good idea. Many people just 'splosh' their face with a handful of water from the basin; this doesn't rinse effectively. Plus, the warm water held to the face must be good for circulation. It has worked for me and my alabaster face (at least I think that's what she called it).

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: Emilio Romero on 13/05/2009 15:23:48

Yes, but one of the points is: does antibacterial soap kill more bacteria than normal soap? I think it does not.

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: Emilio Romero on 13/05/2009 16:20:08

Another thing is how long do we have to wash our hands in order to get rid of most bacteria (don't mind the soap then).
I think soap doesn't kill bacteria, it just dislodges them form your skin.
Ok... who knows?

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: dentstudent on 13/05/2009 16:27:56

I'm sure that I heard recently that anti-bacterial washes and/or gels are actually a waste of time. Since they only get rid of most of the bacteria, the ones left are the most resilient and hence you are increasing their relative virulence. The best thing to use is an alcohol-based cleanser which destroys ALL the bacteria.

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: Emilio Romero on 13/05/2009 16:38:27

Very good point dentstudent...

so, where are we in the universe of antibacterial soap?

1.- Does it kill bacteria? (or just dislodges them?)
2.- Does it kill all bacteria?
3.- Does it kill bacteria better than regular soap?
4.- Does it turn surviving bacteria more resistant?
5.- How long do we have to wash our hands for it to be as effective as makers claim?
6.- Des it taste better than regular soap?  [;)] [;D]

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: lyner on 13/05/2009 16:39:57

And can really knacker your skin, unfortunately.

Quote from: dentstudent on 13/05/2009 16:27:56

I'm sure that I heard recently that anti-bacterial washes and/or gels are actually a waste of time. Since they only get rid of most of the bacteria, the ones left are the most resilient and hence you are increasing their relative virulence. The best thing to use is an alcohol-based cleanser which destroys ALL the bacteria.

And can really knacker your skin, unfortunately.

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: Don_1 on 13/05/2009 17:08:24

For the best way to get rid of bacteria on your hands, take a trip to Saudi Arabia and do a spot of shop lifting!!!

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: Emilio Romero on 13/05/2009 17:09:59

chop lifting??? ;-)

Title: Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? dooes it work as advertised?
Post by: dentstudent on 13/05/2009 17:10:52

Do it on the phone "hands free"