Most people who use a bidet claim that it’s a lot gentler on sensitive skin. Moreover, bidets are known to enhance people’s bathroom experience and that you can use it with soap or on its own.
In today’s article, I will discuss the skin benefits of using a bidet, such as gentle cleaning, releasing discomfort and pain, reducing itchiness, hemorrhoids prevention, and so on.
Does A Bidet Really Clean You?
A bidet does really clean you. In fact, it’s a better option than toilet paper for people as well as the environment, according to many environmentalists and researchers. (Link)
Bidet devices clean your backdoor using water, enabling you to give up toilet paper altogether. They’re very popular in Asian and European countries but are less common in North America.
In Japan, approximately 77% of people use a bidet (pronounced “be-day”) daily. You’d likely have a hard time finding a toilet without one as they’re extremely common toilet attachments in Japanese homes and restaurants. (Link)
Overall, they thoroughly clean your private parts, leaving you feeling cleaner after using the bathroom. Unlike toilet paper, using a bidet ensures smooth, clean, and less irritable skin.
Watch This Video from Hello Tushy
3 Skin Benefits Of Using A Bidet
There’s no shame in talking about pooping because everybody poops, but not everyone has a successful wiping experience.
So, if you feel like your bathroom experience doesn’t end up well most of the time, it may be time to give up toilet paper, like Asian, European, and some South American people do.
That’s where bidets kick in and save the day! It isn’t as complicated to use as it may seem to many people. It’s a shallow toilet that sprays clean water on your genitals after using the bathroom (peeing or pooping or both).
Some experts explain that American people haven’t adopted this alternative to wiping because they’ve adopted many customs and philosophies from the British; however, they’ve also picked up some of their hang-ups. For instance, in the 18th and 19th centuries, the British associated bidets with brothels. Therefore, they considered bidets “dirty.”
However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Using such a device leaves your backside feeling cleaner and fresher. Furthermore, water feels better than toilet paper on the skin, especially for people who have just had surgeries, given birth, etc.
Did you know that the skin around your poop area is pretty tender with many sensitive nerve endings? Thus, wiping with dry tissue paper can further irritate and damage the sensitive area. Trust me on this one, as I had problems with hemorrhoids all my life, but all of that stopped when I started using a bidet.
Below, I will discuss some of the skin benefits of using a bidet, and I will finish off this article by listing its several downsides as well. So, let’s take a closer look and learn more about the main pros and cons of using a bidet.
Will I Have A Cleaner Bum After Using A Bidet?
After using a bidet, you will feel a lot cleaner. In other words, you will have clean skin. One of the issues of using toilet paper is that it doesn’t actually leave you clean after using the restroom.
This only provides the illusion of cleanliness, which isn’t enough. Meaning toilet paper enables bacteria to stay on your skin and cause different infections, especially if you have any skin conditions or sores.
Although you might not be using soap or scrubbing when you use a bidet, you still get a deep clean after using one. It leaves your skin cleaner and healthier and allows you to go about your day or night without the worry of itching.
It also makes it easier to handle any skin condition you might have.
Does Toilet Paper Help Ease Hemorrhoids?
As I already stated, bidets can help ease hemorrhoids. They’re a very common condition and not very pleasant. The bright side though is that its treatable, but it takes time to get it under control.
Toilet paper doesn’t help with that issue. On the contrary, no matter how soft the toilet paper is, it’s still a very abrasive factor that further damages your skin and irritates hemorrhoids – making things worse.
Many personal experiences and studies have proven that warm water can help ease pain and discomfort caused by hemorrhoids. Gentle water contact in the shower will help as well. However, you can’t shower every time after using the bathroom, especially if you’re in a hurry. Bidets can help in these situations.
Bidets offer a gentle stream of water to help hemorrhoids without taking too much of your time or effort. But here’s the real kicker. They don’t cause further irritation, as is the case with using toilet paper.
Can I Use A Bidet If I Suffer From Sensitive Or Dry Skin?
Dry skin isn’t very pleasant, especially in the poop area. It causes soreness, itchiness, skin tears, and even occasional bleeding. The medical term for this issue is Pruritus Ani.(Link)
Sadly, toilet paper doesn’t help solve this problem. On the contrary, it can make things worse by drying out the mucus membranes of the poop area. Wrong wiping can also cause damage because fecal residue can irritate the skin further. Therefore, if you suffer from this skin condition, buy a bidet.
It will not only help handle this condition but also prevent it, by cleaning the skin gently and thoroughly, without the abrasion of toilet paper. It’s perfect for sensitive or dry skin.
Watch This Video on How to Use a Bidet
The Dos And Don’ts Of Cleaning Your Bottom
Cleaning your bottom may seem straightforward, but it’s actually not. There’s potential for damage and injury if you’re not careful.
The following tips can help you take better care of your bottom.
Do’s Of Cleaning Your Bottom
- Consume a fiber-rich diet, including veggies, fruits, and whole-grain foods. These ingredients help to add bulk to your stool and prevent constipation. Note that you should introduce fiber slowly and aim for 30-40 grams of fiber daily. (Link) If you have IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), consult with a doctor about how much fiber you should eat.
- Consume enough non-alcoholic beverages such as water, because these fluids help soften your stool, enabling a much smoother passing experience.
- Let the skin air-dry after bathing. However, take care of the moisture after using a bidet because if you don’t dry your bottom off entirely, the moisture can cause different issues.
- Stay away from underwear that irritates your genitalia and poop area, such as G-strings as well as scented panty liners.
- Always wear undyed cotton underwear to prevent irritation.
Important note: The inner lining of your rectum is highly sensitive to temperature. Therefore, you can’t use the same temperature you would in a shower when using a bidet. Make sure the water is lukewarm. When you apply it to the inner part of your wrist, it shouldn’t feel warm.
Don’ts Of Cleaning Your Bottom
- I apologize to every wet wipe fan out there (ex-fan here), but they’re horrible. People buy them because they think they’re great for their bottom, but they can be irritating. Everyone’s bottom has good bacteria too, which must remain there for their health.
- And when you use these products, even chemical-free ones, you’re destroying the good bacteria, and this imbalance becomes a problem. This can lead to things such as severe irritation or fungal infections.
- Always dry your bottom off completely after using a bidet or taking a shower because moisture can lead to a lot of issues such as fungal infections, bacterial infections, micro-teats, rashes, etc.
- Certain solutions such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, olive oil, talcum powder, alcohol, oil-based lubricants, and witch hazels should never go near your poop region. So, unless it’s not warm water or a gentle cleanser, it probably doesn’t have any VIP pass to your bottom.
- If you experience severe or constant itching or pain in your bottom, you shouldn’t ignore it and seek emergency attention, especially if you notice bleeding as well. A couple of drops from time to time can indicate hemorrhoidal bleeding, but a lot of bleeding should be checked by your doctor.
Show Your Bum Some TLC – Buy A Bidet!
I’m sure that you will agree with me that the many benefits of using a bidet outweigh the few downsides.
A study revealed that using a bidet regularly can alter the good bacteria in the vagina. This study should be conducted multiple times to confirm all suspicions and draw final conclusions.
However, I totally understand if you’re a female and uncertain about using a bidet. It’s your body, your choice. And if you’re like me and you want to experience new things, give it a try!