The skin is our body’s largest organ. Some of its many roles include protecting against pathogens, storing water and lipids, and controlling water loss by preventing water from escaping by evaporation. The skin has nerve endings that detect and sense temperature, pressure, touch, and pain from injury.[1] Overall, these senses—or sensations—might be considered our skin’s primary functions in that they are key to our survival as individuals and as a social species. From an evolutionary perspective, touch-related sensations have helped humanity develop tools and shelter and enabled us to learn about our environment and the creatures that surround us.
Like all our senses, touch allows us to gather information about the world around us. What sets touching our skin apart from our other senses is the intimacy involved, whether caressing our newborn or growing children, holding hands, sitting close to one another, cuddling, hugging, kissing, or exploring other pleasurable activities.
A recent study by researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Neurosciences showed that consensual touch can benefit a person’s physical and mental well-being by reducing pain, anxiety, depression, and stress in adults.[2] The study showed that the who, the how, or the duration of the touch does not make a difference in terms of the impact. However, frequency matters—a quick hug could be more effective than a long massage if it is offered more often. In studying the impact of touch on newborns, researchers found that the person offering the touch intervention was more important: the benefits of touch are higher when done by a parent than a health care worker.[2]
Our touch-related physical sensations are fundamental to our well-being, belonging, and connectedness. One wonders how far the power of human touch could go toward solving many of society’s problems.[3]
In the meantime, to do right by your skin, dermatologists suggest that you:
- Wear sunscreen daily.
- Stay out of tanning beds.
- Simplify your skin care routine.
- Choose skin care products formulated for your skin type.
- Treat your lips.
- Keep your hands off your face.
- Check your skin regularly.[4]
—George Szasz, CM MD
References
1. Newman T. Skin: How it works. Medical News Today. Updated 25 January 2024. Accessed 12 July 2024. www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320435.
2. Science Daily. New study highlights the benefit of touch on mental and physical health. 8 April 2024. Accessed 15 July 2024. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/04/240408130610.htm.
3. Keltner D. Hands on research: The science of touch. Greater Good Magazine. 29 September 2010. Accessed 15 July 2024. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/hands_on_research.
4. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Skin care tips dermatologists use. Accessed 12 July 2024. www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/skin-care-tips-dermatologists-use.
This post has not been peer reviewed by the BCMJ Editorial Board.
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