Personal hygiene, in addition to providing a feeling of cleanliness and well-being, also has a health function, by preventing the proliferation of bacteria. How to set up an intimate hygiene adapted to the fragility of the genital areas and which products to use for washing?

Intimate hygiene corresponds to the care of the intimate parts of the body, that is to say when we wash daily. In both women and men, since the genitals (think, vulva, etc.) are most of the time compressed in clothing, odors may be felt. However, these odors are completely normal and natural: they are intimate body odors, linked to the humidity of the area. Personal hygiene differs from personal hygiene: it must in no case be astringent. In fact, the vulva, for example, is a fragile mucous membrane, which must be gently washed with appropriate products. It should be done on a daily basis, and in some cases especially after sex.

In women, personal hygiene is somewhat already taken care of by nature. Indeed, the vagina, thanks to vaginal fluids produced continuously, cleans itself. These fluids help evacuate bacteria and keep the vaginal flora in balance. Next to it, the vulva serves as protection for the internal genitals, in order to avoid as much as possible infections, chemical and bacterial attacks, which could go up towards the vagina or even the uterus. In fact, it is important to respect the rules of hygiene and to clean the area daily. However, too much toileting would disturb the vaginal balance. During menstruation, for example, it may happen that you want to cool off several times a day, to remove any traces of blood. This helps to remove the blood so that it does not accumulate, and thus prevent the proliferation of bacteria. For this, a simple shot of water may suffice, especially if the showers are repeated.

In men, personal hygiene should also be light, in the sense that it is necessary to respect the sensitivity of the area, but regular, to avoid diseases and infections. In the shower, take care to properly retract the glans, in order to wash all parts of the penis, without rubbing vigorously on it. Washing with water, with a little mild soap if necessary, is sufficient. Here again, a daily shower is sufficient, except in the case of sweating after an effort, or having sex, in order to eliminate the remains of fluids and semen.

Personal hygiene must be done with the softest products possible. If you are using shower gel, choose the non-irritant, i.e. sodium laureth sulfate free, or sodium lauryl sulfate, preferably. You can also go for specialized brands, although they are often more expensive. In this case, intimate gels are a good alternative to shower gel. If you prefer soaps, opt for a mild dermatological bar, without soap, made from vegetable oils. Do not use Shampoo or any other product not suitable for the skin, and even less for areas as sensitive as the mucous membranes.

Whether for men or women, it is strongly advised not to use products that are too astringent for personal hygiene. As we have seen, it is better to turn to soap-free, gentle and dermatologically tested products. Also avoid Marseille soap type soap, which is aggressive and dehydrating the area. Likewise, do not use irritating care such as scrubs, even on the pubis, where the skin is sensitive. Finally, very important, forget the gloves and other shower flowers: these accessories are nests for bacteria, and are of no interest during cleaning. Prefer a hand wash, with gentle and unsupported gestures, once a day.

Some women tend to want to wash thoroughly during their intimate hygiene. However, as we have seen, the vagina has a self-cleaning system which provides it with washing care. No need therefore to wash the inside of the vagina with soap, which could unbalance the vaginal flora and irritate the mucous membranes. A simple shower with water is enough to rinse vaginal fluids and make body odor disappear.