5.1 Skin Cleansers, Wound Cleansers, And Soaps
Description
This article is from the Piercing FAQ, by Anne Greenblatt with numerous contributions by others.
5.1 Skin Cleansers, Wound Cleansers, And Soaps
Skin cleansers are designed to aid in the physical removal of foreign
materials such as dirt, microorganisms, and dead cells. Skin cleansers
contain detergents and surfactants which help remove foreign materials
and antibacterial or antimicrobial ingredients which kill some, but
not all, bacteria and other microorganisms. Some ingredients, such as
fragrances and dyes, are irritating to sensitive skin. Certain types
of detergents and surfactants are not ideal for use on broken skin.
Wound cleansers are intended for use on broken skin, and contain only
ingredients that do not damage dermal cells.
SKIN CLEANSERS AND SOAPS CONTAINING CHLOROXYLENOL (PCMX)
Brand names Provon Medicated Lotion Soap and Satin Antimicrobial
Skin Cleanser
Chloroxylenol is an antimicrobial antiseptic effective against both
gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungal and yeast
microorganisms. Chloroxylenol is more effective against a broader
range of microorganiSm than many other antiseptics. Used in skin
cleansers and soaps intended for wound care and frequent hand
washing.
While these cleansers and soaps are intended for use on intact skin,
their formulations appear to be the safest and most appropriate for
piercing aftercare.
Unfortunately these soaps are not yet widely available in drugstores
but are available from several piercing suppliers and directly from
the manufacturers and/or their distributors.
Provon Medicated Lotion Soap, 0.3% chloroxylenol Available in
wholesale quantities from McKessonHBOC Medical Group, 1-800-877-1919
Satin Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser, 0.8% chloroxylenol Manufactured
by Care-Tech Laboratories, 1-800-325-9681, (314) 772-4610,
http://www.caretechlabs.com
WOUND CLEANSERS CONTAINING CHLOROXYLENOL (PCMX)
Brand name Techni-Care Surgical Scrub, 3% chloroxylenol
Safe for mucous membranes and non-irritating to dermal
tissue. Intended for pre-operative and post-operative skin cleansing
and for wound cleansing. Used to cleanse skin prior to piercing.
Manufactured by Care-Tech Laboratories, 1-800-325-9681, (314)
772-4610, http://www.caretechlabs.com
Available from several piercing suppliers.
LIQUID ANTIBACTERIAL SOAPS CONTAINING TRICLOSAN
Brand names Dial Liquid, Almay Hypo-Care, Softsoap
Triclosan is primarily an antibacterial ingredient. Most
formulations contain 0.2% to 0.5% triclosan.
Most orange-colored soaps can be irritating and drying with frequent
and prolonged use. Soaps that are low-pH, free of deodorants, dyes,
and moisturizers are suggested.
The "Triclosan MIC Sheet" reviewing antimicrobial efficacy is
available from Decon Laboratories Inc., (800) 332-6647, (610)
520-0610 http://www.deconlabs.com/deconlab/dcn03s.htm
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