Dermatologists have cautioned that frequent sponge bathing, a common routine in Nigerian households, can damage the skin barrier, cause micro-tears, and increase susceptibility to irritation and infections.
Dermatologists have cautioned Nigerians against the widespread practice of daily sponge bathing, warning that it could harm rather than protect skin health.
Speaking with Guardian Life, consultant dermatologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr Otrofanowei Erere, explained that the risks of sponge use depend on texture, technique, and pressure. “The point of sponging is gentle exfoliation, but depending on the texture, daily use can be harmful. Even a soft towel, when used with too much pressure, can become like a scrubbing brush,” she said.
She noted that harsh scrubbing creates “micro-traumas”—tiny skin tears invisible to the eye—which allow germs to penetrate and increase the risk of infections. “It is the soap or cleanser that cleans you, not the sponge,” she stressed.
Similarly, consultant dermatologist Dr Folakemi Cole-Adeife of LASUTH told NAN that the skin does not require daily scrubbing. “Using sponge to scrub your skin frequently can strip it of natural oils and create micro-tears or micro-trauma in the skin,” she explained.
Both experts advised limiting sponge use to two or three times weekly, stressing the importance of moisturising after every bath.
Erere added, “If you bathe twice a day, a simple morning rinse is enough; the full sponge bath should come in the evening.”