Personal hygiene may be described as the principle of maintaining cleanliness and grooming of the external body. It is in general looking after oneself. Maintaining a high level of personal hygiene will help to increase self-esteem and confidence whilst minimizing the chances of developing imperfections.

Personal hygiene can be controlled by sustaining high standards of personal care and humans have been aware of the importance of hygiene for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks spent many hours in the bath, using fragrances and make-up in an effort to beautify themselves and be presentable to others.

Maintaining personal hygiene is necessary for many reasons. These can be personal, social, for health reasons, psychological or simply as a way of life. Keeping a good standard of hygiene helps to prevent the development and spread of infections, illnesses and bad odours. Poor personal hygiene can have significant implications on the success of job applications or the chance of promotion; no company wants to be represented by people who do not appear to be able to look after themselves.

The secret to younger and fresher looking skin is to keep it clean and protected from the damage of pollutants and grime. Maintaining hygiene practices helps to reduce the risks of ill health but, equally important, it affects how we and others perceive ourselves and can influence our levels of confidence and self-esteem which can affect many aspects of our lives. Self-esteem, confidence and motivation can all be altered by our body image, often reflected on our ability to care for ourselves and keep good hygiene practices.

A bright, white smile with clean and healthy teeth can endear people to us whereas brown, unhealthy teeth can cause embarrassment and can alter our sense of well-being. Healthy hair, skin and nails are signs of a good well-balanced diet and can give us confidence in everyday life.

Simple actions like hand washing can prevent different illnesses and disorders developing. Many people forget to wash their hands after using the toilet or before handling foods; this action can cause a great deal of illness. Washing your hands after using the restroom, before making or eating food, after handling dogs or other pets, after handling garbage, and after coughing or sneezing, goes a long way towards preventing the spread of bacteria and viruses.

Most infections, especially colds and gastroenteritis, are caught when you put your unwashed hands, which have germs on them, to your mouth. Hands and wrists should be washed with clean soap and water. Dry your hands with something clean and dry, such as paper towels. If you have cut yourself, the wound should be cleaned and dressed suitably, this can help reduce the risk of infection and pain.

Skin-care and hygiene routines are very important but using too many cosmetics, cleansing products or washing the face too vigorously too often may lead to damage to the skin. Soaps should be used in small amounts and gentle circular movements should be used to wash away dirt and residue. The skin needs regular cleaning and maintenance in order to preserve the skin and prolong our external appearance.

Drying should involve the use of a soft, non-abrasive towel that is used to pat the skin and not rub it which may lead to damage to the delicate areas on the face, especially those found around the eyes. The frequency of bathing or showering is very individual. Skin-care and healthcare expert Dr Meghna suggests, “The face, underarms and genitals are cleansed once a day and not more often, as this can take essential natural oils away from the skin leading to irritation. Hand washing should be carried out frequently throughout the day, as they come into contact with many potentially harmful bacteria.”

During teenage it is likely that the skin undergoes changes and at times can appear greasy or even suffers from acne breakouts. It is expected that a little more effort should go into the normal skin care routines and that the use of products specially designed to remove excess grease, dirt and bacteria will be required. If you are find that your skin is becoming affected, either stop using the product altogether and replace it with a fragrance and soap-free clean sing agent or limit your use of it. Children should be taught the importance of hygiene and how to achieve good hygiene very early to keep themselves and others healthy and to reduce the risk of being bullied at school.

Follow these simple steps to keep your hands clean

• Use warm water (not cold or hot).
• Use whatever soap you like. Antibacterial soaps are popular but regular soap works fine. If you suspect that your hands have come in contact with someone with an infection, think about using a hand sanitizer.
• Rub your hands together vigorously and scrub all surfaces: lather up on both sides of your hands, your wrists, between your fingers, and around your nails. Continue rubbing your hands for 20 seconds.
• Rinse well under warm running water and pat-dry with a clean towel, preferably a paper towel.
• In public restrooms, consider using a paper towel to flush the toilet and open the door because toilet and door handles harbor germs. Throw the towel in a dustbin when you leave.