Cleansing the face and body without water. When should you do it and what products should you use?

Caring for someone who is elderly, bedridden, ill, has a disability or has had surgery is a challenge, especially if you don't have much experience in this area. Among the most difficult tasks is maintaining the hygiene of the patient who spends long periods of time in their bed. Are you wondering how to wash your patient without getting the bed sheets wet? Learn more about cleansing products that do not require water and see when they should be used.

In order to correctly cleanse a severely ill person without water while respecting the dignity and privacy of him or her, you must first prepare yourself properly. It's not enough to simply learn the techniques for washing the face and body. You also need to collect the right products whose ingredients will help you remove dirt and keep the patient’s skin in good condition. 

Cleansing without water – advantages and disadvantages

State-of-the-art products that allow to cleanse the patient's face, body and hair without using water are a big help to caregivers. Using such products has many benefits:

• it speeds up the daily hygiene routine, because you don't have to take care of the right water temperature or worry about getting the bed sheets wet – this is especially important for those who combine caring for an ill person with their regular job,
• it reduces the risk of the patient getting cold during the hygiene procedure, 
• it prevents the accumulation of moisture between skin folds, thus protecting the skin from chafes and the growth of bacteria that can cause unpleasant dermal symptoms,
• it reduces the pain resulting from changing the position in the patients with reduced mobility or joint problems,
• it reduces the risk of skin irritation and damage that can occur after using traditional cleansing products.

However, when choosing bed bath products that do not require water, bear in mind that it will involve changing the patient's habits. Therefore, it is advisable to patiently explain each step of the daily hygiene routine to help the patient become accustomed to the new method. 

Cleansing without water – what products should you use?

To many people, washing the body and hair without using water seems unhygienic. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Due to their specially designed formulas, the Seni Care products make skin and hair washing easy, safe and – most importantly – effective. You can choose from:

• Seni Care foam shampoo for waterless hair washing– this product’s ingredients effectively wash and condition the hair. This shampoo contains a flaxseed biocomplex which soothes irritation and an odour neutraliser which helps refresh the scalp and hair. This product is recommended for all hair types and for both men and women,
• Seni Care conditioning and washing body foam– this product comes in a convenient container and makes the daily hygiene routine faster and easier for the patients who spend long periods of time in their beds. It contains many beneficial ingredients, such as panthenol, lactic acid and olive oil derivative, which help cleanse the skin without damaging its protective layer, act as emollients, moisturise the skin and soothe irritation. This foam is easy to apply and perfect for everyday use,
• Seni Care wash cream 3-in-1 – a versatile product which can also be used for washing hands without water. Its carefully designed formula includes 3% urea which helps moisturise and soften the skin, as well as an odour neutraliser which eliminates unpleasant urine odour. This product helps alleviate the sensation of tightness and protects the skin’s hydrolipid barrier. This wash cream 3-in-1  can also be used as an intimate cleanser.

In order to quickly cleanse the skin without using water, you can also choose wet wipes which do not require rinsing. You can use them to wipe the hands and face at mealtimes and to cleanse the body and intimate areas throughout the day.

Our products have been dermatologically tested and are endorsed by the Polish Society of Gerontology – you can rest assured that they will not irritate your patient's sensitive skin. 

Products that do not require rinsing – when should you use them?

No-rinse products can be used to cleanse the body and hair of any person who spends long periods of time in their bed and cannot meet their hygiene needs on their own. They are particularly recommended for:

• patients who remain in bed at all times, including those with urinary or faecal incontinence – the products contain an odour neutraliser which helps remove unpleasant odours and consequently improves the patient's well-being, 
• patients with a fear of water – for example, washing an elderly patient who suffers from Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia is often very problematic. The patient may suspect that the carer wants to harm them and start screaming at the sight of water. In such cases, no-rinse products are a perfect solution. Furthermore, their application is quick and pleasant, which makes it easy to perform the necessary steps before the patient starts to panic and become defensive,
• patients prone to irritation – sometimes water can cause sensitive, thin and delicate skin to dry out. In order to avoid these issues, we recommend that you use our products whose formulas are gentle on the skin and reduce the risk of dermatological problems.

However, you should not completely stop traditional washing with water – continue giving your patient baths, showers, or wash them in their bed. Cleansing body and hair without water should be an alternative solution, for example on days when you don't have time for a lengthy hygiene routine. This will allow you to complete your tasks quickly and give you time to attend to other, equally important matters. 

Products that do not require water are a big help while caring for a patient who spends long periods of time in their bed. Use them to complete your everyday tasks with ease and finally have a moment to yourself. See for yourself!