Dermatologist To Nigerians: Taking Frequent Sponge Baths Is Not Necessary

Nigerians have been cautioned by dermatologist Dr. Folakemi Cole-Adeife to minimize their sponge bathing practices.

The dermatologist claims that bathing with a sponge might deplete the skin’s natural oils and cause tiny tears or traumas. This was said by Cole-Adeife of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, during a Monday interview in Lagos with the Nigerian News Agency, NAN.

According to her, taking frequent sponge baths may also cause germs and other microorganisms to enter the skin. She claims that because the skin exfoliates itself most of the time, using a sponge is similar to exfoliating the skin.

“A lot of people cannot have their bathes without sponges but the truth of the matter is that you actually don’t need to bathe with sponge too frequently or daily. This is because your skin exfoliates itself naturally most of the time.

“Even if you need to exfoliate your skin with a sponge, which is what the mechanical abrasion of the sponge does, you don’t need to do it every day.

“Using a sponge to scrub your skin frequently can strip your skin of natural oils and create micro-tears or micro-trauma in the skin; it can introduce bacteria and other micro-organisms into the skin.

“It can also cause itchy skin. If you have itchy skin, try not to use the sponge while bathing and see if that helps,” she said.

The dermatologist advised those who feel unclean without bathing with a sponge to use it once or twice a week or at most, three times a week.

“In Nigeria, we feel if we do not scrub our skin squeaky clean, we have not had our bathe.

“It is not absolutely necessary to use a sponge daily but if you do not feel clean without using a sponge, you can use it once or twice a week or, at most, three times a week,” she said

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