Soap Cleansing

Skin cleansing (soap and water, alcohol and acetone degreasing, mechanical gauze scrub)... 

The formation of micelles and their properties are responsible for the cleansing action of soaps Water that contains sodium stearate removes grease by enclosing it m the hydrocarbon like interior of the micelles The grease is washed away with the water not because it dissolves m the water but because it dissolves m the micelles that are dis persed m the water Sodium stearate is an example of a soap sodium and potassium salts of other C12-C1S unbranched carboxylic acids possess similar properties... 

Detergents are substances including soaps that cleanse by micellar action A large number of synthetic detergents are known One example is sodium lauryl sulfate Sodium lauryl sulfate has a long hydrocarbon chain terminating m a polar sulfate ion and forms soap like micelles m water... 

Detergents are designed to be effective in hard water meaning water containing calcium salts that form insoluble calcium carboxylates with soaps These precipitates rob the soap of Its cleansing power and form an unpleasant scum The calcium salts of synthetic deter gents such as sodium lauryl sulfate however are soluble and retain their micelle forming ability even m hard water... 

Soaps (Section 19 5) Cleansing substances obtained by the hydrolysis of fats m aqueous base Soaps are sodium or potassium salts of unbranched carboxylic acids having 12-18 carbon atoms... 

Cosmetics and Personal Care Products. Alkanolamines ate important taw materials in the manufacture of creams (95—97), lotions, shampoos, soaps, and cosmetics. Soaps (98) formed from triethanolamine and fatty acids ate mild, with low alkalinity and excellent detergency. Triethanolamine lauryl sulfate is a common base for shampoos (99—101) and offers significant mildness over sodiumlauryl sulfate. Diethanolamine lauryl sulfate and fatty acid soaps of mono- and trietban olamine can also be used in shampoos and bubble bath formulations. Chemistry similar to that used in soluble oils and other emulsifiers is appUcable to cleansing creams and lotions (102,103). Alkanolamides or salts ate added to the shampoo base to give a smooth, dense foam (104). 

Because the core of an aqueous micelle is extremely hydrophobic, it has the abiHty to solubiHze oil within it, as weU as to stabilize a dispersion. These solubilization and suspension properties of surfactants are the basis for the cleansing abiHty of soaps and other surfactants. Furthermore, the abiHty of surfactants to stabilize interfacial regions, particularly the air—water interface, is the basis for lathering, foaming, and sudsing. 

Soap as used in personal cleansing products has a long safe history of use. Modem soaps have been specifically formulated to be compatible with skin and to be used on a daily basis with minimal side effects. Excessive use of soap for skin cleansing can dismpt the natural barrier function of skin through the removal of skin oils and dismption of the Hpid bdayer in skin. This can result in imperfect desquamation or a dry appearance to skin and cause an irritation response or erythema, ie, reddening of the skin. Neither of these is a permanent response and the eHcitation of this type of skin reaction depends on the individual s skin type, the product formulation, and the frequency of use. 

When using the topical ointment form or transder-mal system, cleanse old application sites witii soap and warm water as soon as the ointment or transdermal system is removed. 

TOPICAL ANTI-INFECTIVES. Before each application, die nurse cleanses die skin widi soap and warm water unless the primary healdi care provider orders a different mediod. The nurse applies the anti-infective as prescribed (eg, tiiin layer, applied liberally) and the area is either covered or left exposed. 

Urine may be collected for assays of enzyme activities following cleansing of the genitalia with mild antiseptic soap followed by rinsing with water. The urine is collected in a chemically clean container with no preservative. As the activity of urinary enzymes is a function of the volume of the specimen it is important to time the collection accurately. A collection period of 8 hours is quite adequate, and the use of longer periods is not desirable because enzyme activities can rapidly decrease in the relatively hostile medium of the urine. The urine should be refrigerated and transferred promptly to the laboratory, where it should also be processed promptly. 

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