Ruskovilla_CAT_2019-2020

Undergarments made from natural fibres support the skin’s natural function

ly suitable for use as undergarments in the variable Finnish weather conditions.

As the largest organ in the human body, the skin is responsible for a number of tasks. It acts as a protective layer, a heat regulator, a secretory organ and a tactile organ. Healthy skin is an essential factor in a person’s wellbeing, and that’s why it is important to consider what we put against our skin. The outermost layer of the skin, the stra- tum corneum, consists mostly of soft keratin. Keratin is also what makes up the nails, hair, and animal fur, which partially explains why many people find that natu- ral fibres feel pleasant on the skin. A good undergarment retains the feeling of warmth on the skin and allows for sweat to evaporate. Nature’s protein fibres, wool and silk, have equally valuable properties with regard to heat physics: they retain heat in cold weather and feel cool in warm weather. Both also neutralise the smell of sweat. Silk is a good transporter of mois- ture and is an ideal choice of material to use against the skin, and wool’s airy struc- ture means that it can absorb up to 40% of its own weight in moisture without feeling wet. Silk’s smooth structure and hypoallergenic properties make it popular among people with atopic conditions, allergies and arthri- tis. Both materials often only require airing rather than washing, so they are especial- Natural fibres complement our own heat regulation

Natural fibres reduce the amount of secretions returning to the bloodstream In recent years and decades, various in- dustrially manufactured synthetic fibres have been offered for use as undergar- ments due to their affordability and os- tensible low maintenance. Their dense structure however means that they do not really breathe and do not absorb moisture evaporating from the skin. A wet synthetic fibre sticks to the skin, dis- rupting the skin’s important breathing and excretion function. Textiles made from synthetic fibres also often begin to smell of sweat. In cold and dry winter conditions, it is common for static electricity to build up on the sur- face of the textiles, which can be felt as an unpleasant prickling when dressing and undressing. As a result of these properties, which do not support skin wellbeing, many swear by the use of natural fibres in undergar- ments. Ruskovilla has offered customers under- garments made from natural fibres for almost 40 years. Background sources for the article include Duodecim’s Terveyskirjasto, the terve.fi website and the Fibre Guide (Kuituopas) by the Finnish Textile & Fashion organisation.

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