Bacteria Are Your Skin’s BFF
We’ve all heard how important antibacterial products are but let’s not rush to condemn ALL bacteria. A recent study by researchers at the University of California has revealed that the normal bacteria we all have on our skin can help reduce injury-related inflammation.
Hello hygiene!
“These germs are actually good for us” declared Richard L. Gallo, MD, PhD, chief of UCSD’s Division of Dermatology. Gallo also pointed out that this work gives us a basis for understanding the alleged ‘hygiene hypothesis,’ an idea introduced in the late 1980s that suggests if you’re not exposed to dirt and germs as a child that you may actually have a lower resistance to certain kinds of inflammation. (This theory could explain why certain childhood allergies are on the rise.)
Beneficial bacteria
Here’s how germs protect us: Scientists knew that our bodies are covered with staphylococcal bacterial species that do nothing when they just sit on the surface of the skin but that create an inflammatory response when they penetrate the skin. But in this new study, researchers discovered that a by-product of staphylococci can actually inhibit inflammation. This by-product, staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid (LTA), acts on keratinocytes, the main type of surface skin cell, and prevents them from becoming over inflamed. So these germs really are good for us.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
Saying that being too clean can actually make you get sick is an over simplification, but you get the idea. Or if you don’t, follow the link to read the entire article at Science Daily.
What do YOU think? Were you allowed to play in the dirt as a kid? Or did your parents keep you squeaky clean? And how do you treat your own kids? Leave a comment and share your thoughts with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
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