What is hypochlorous acid?
Hypochlorous acid is a weak acid, yet it is a disinfectant with supernatural power, and it is one of the ingredients that gives bleaching agents their antimicrobial power when the pH of the acid is lowered to the right level, and this acid is 100% safe for humans and is all-natural and non-toxic.
In fact, we use this acid involuntarily. Hypochlorous acid is an acid found in our bodies. It is formed inside the body by white blood cells that act as a defense system for the body against infections, bacteria and diseases. It is produced as a kind of natural response from the body to attack the bacteria that enter it. The white blood cells stick to the intruding bodies on the body and secrete this acid, which leads to the destruction and destruction of the walls of their cells. This antimicrobial acid is highly effective in carrying out its preventive mission, and therefore some consider it the oldest antiseptic in nature.
Hypochlorous acid uses
Hypochlorous acid is rated as 100 times more powerful than other bleaches, and one study found that within 20 minutes the acid helped reduce staphylococci by 99%. This acid was first used as an antiseptic during World War I to treat soldiers’ wounds. War, as it helps heal the wound and prevents any contamination of the surface of the skin, and therefore this acid has many uses in the field of health care and medicine, and it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in wound healing and care and eye care products and it is also common in products Veterinary care, it is even used to eliminate biofilms.
This acid is widely used in hospitals for disinfection, and other strong acids and disinfectants other than hypochlorous acid are usually used, but they belong to the same family as chlorine in hospitals, but research shows that other bleaching materials, although they kill bacteria, fungi, and germs, cause severe irritation to the eyes, skin, and lungs. Long-term inhalation may cause significant damage, while hypochlorous acid has a temporary and light chlorine odor that fades quickly. It is non-toxic and has no side effects and did not cause any allergic reaction.
This acid is also used to preserve fresh products, because it does not leave any harmful effects in food, and it is approved by the United States Department of Agriculture as an ingredient that can be used in the production of organic crops.
Studies have found that hypochlorous acid can be used as a hand sanitizer without causing any annoying side effects, such as those caused by the use of ethyl alcohol in disinfection, as it penetrates the cell walls of bacteria very quickly and does not cause skin inflammation.
Some doctors currently recommend using it as part of a skin care routine, especially sensitive skin, because it does not cause dryness, irritation, or burning of the skin like other products that contain alcohol. This acid can be used in the following cases:
Fighting bacteria that clog pores and cause acne.
Helps speed up wound healing and repair damage to the skin.
Fights infections and sick skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.Another use of acid that is relatively recent is eye and eyelash cleaning products, as it has been included in many eyelash cleaning wipes and eyelid and eyelash cleaning sprays, because the acid is safe and effective, as many studies have found that using hypochlorous acid around the eye helps to significantly reduce bacterial presence.