Synthetic fabrics, in particular nylon and polyester, appeared on the market relatively recently – in the middle of the last century. However, after some time it became clear that clothing made of synthetics has many disadvantages: does not allow the skin to breathe, stimulates sweating and even irritates the skin of people with hypersensitivity. Since then, manufacturers have learned to create really high-quality synthetic fibers and mix them with natural fabrics, but many people still believe that synthetics are harmful to health.
Types of synthetic
materials Clothing made from the following materials is considered one of the most harmful to health:
- Polyester. It is a special synthetic fabric made of polymer fiber. Polyester is one of the most popular and commonly used synthetic fabrics. Although it may be made from a blend of natural components such as cotton, its health effects can still be detrimental. Wearing polyester makes it difficult for the skin to breathe. In addition, an increase in body temperature promotes the release of chemicals from this fabric, which are later absorbed by your skin. This can cause many problems and irritations such as rashes, itching, redness, eczema and dermatitis.
- Viscose. Viscose is a fiber made from cellulose, which is chemically converted from wood pulp. Not only is the production of this material dangerous, but wearing it can be harmful to your health. Viscose fabric releases toxic substances that can cause nausea and vomiting, headaches, chest and muscle pain, and insomnia. In addition, its production is highly polluting to the environment.
- Nylon. Socks, underwear, tights and many other everyday items are made of nylon. It is durable and not very expensive to produce, which makes it popular. However, nylon is not considered the best option for wearing on bare skin. Clothing made of nylon does not absorb skin sweat, which can cause bad odor and skin infections. When the fabric is manufactured, it is bleached or dyed with various chemicals, so nylon can also cause a variety of skin irritations.
- Acrylic. Acrylic fabrics are made from acrylonitrile, which is a carcinogen and mutagen. This substance can cause a variety of problems: headaches, nausea, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and weakness of the limbs. When you wear acrylic fabrics, you risk absorbing some of the acrylonitrile into your skin.
- Spandex / Lycra / Elastane. Fabrics of this type are particularly stretchy and are suitable for many tight-fitting garments such as sports bras, leggings, t-shirts, underwear, tights, bikinis, etc. D. Like other synthetic fabrics, they are made from harmful chemicals such as polyurethane, which is also considered a carcinogen. Prolonged contact with these fabrics can cause skin irritation, dermatitis.
Minuses of synthetic fabrics
The main properties of synthetic fabrics:
- have low hygroscopicity, that is, are notable to absorb moisture from the surface of the skin;
- do not conduct heat, because of which the clothes made of synthetics are cold in winter;
- do not allow air to pass, which leads to the impossibility of gas exchange between the skin and the environment.
Compounding the problem is the fact that synthetics are used to make everything from underwear and terry socks to raincoats and fur coats. The more synthetic layers of clothing, the worse it is for the skin. For example, if you wear underwear made of elastane, capron tights, a viscose skirt, an acrylic sweater, and a jacket made of polyester and hollofiber on top, you should not be surprised that by evening your skin will be irritated.
The effects of wearing synthetics
Wearing synthetic fabrics creates an insulating layer of air between the skin surface and the synthetic fabric. This leads to persistent enlargement of the pores of sweat and sebaceous glands and excretion of more urea, uric acid and salts from the body.
The resulting “greenhouse effect” creates a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic microflora on the skin. That is why in synthetic clothing a person sweats more, and sweat has a more pungent and unpleasant odor. But there are also much more unpleasant consequences of the lack of normal air exchange:
- appearance of pustular skin diseases;
- exacerbation of chronic dermatitis, including eczema, psoriasis, neurodermatitis;
- occurrence of maceration – changes in the appearance and condition of the skin under the influence of moisture.
Clothing made of natural materials
There are many natural fabrics. The most common among them are: linen, cotton, silk, wool, jute, hemp, agave, ramie, abaca, nettle, kenaf, as well as fabrics made of bamboo fiber.
Natural fabric has a positive effect on the human body, allowing the body to enjoy sunlight, air and contact with all of nature. Natural materials are sourced from living natural cells that breathe and pulse, preserving the natural structure and interacting with the natural elements of the world around them. Natural fabrics do not impose any destructive programs on the human body, while giving up some of the natural warmth and energy.
Synthetics and microplastics
Washing synthetic clothes results in microplastics. In 2017, the International Union for Conservation of Nature found that 35% of microplastics end up in the ocean from synthetic clothing. These particles end up not only in the ocean, but also in fresh water and food. In a week, a person eats 5 grams of microplastics – that’s about as much as a bank card.
To pollute the environment and your body less, choose clothing made of natural fabrics. The most common option is cotton. Soft, breathable and easy to care for. Organic cotton is also hypoallergenic, so it is suitable for people with sensitive skin.
Conclusion
Synthetic fabrics, despite their availability and functionality, can significantly affect human health, causing various skin irritations and diseases. They prevent normal air exchange, leading to sweating, unpleasant odor and creating a favorable environment for bacterial growth. To maintain healthy skin and minimize the risk of dermatological diseases, it is worth giving preference to clothing made of natural materials such as cotton, linen or wool. In addition, it is important to be mindful of the environmental impact of synthetics, as they contribute to water pollution from microplastics. Taking care of your health and choosing natural fabrics will help you avoid many problems and improve your overall health.
