In biological classifications, humans are distinguished from other species by being rational animals; however, before anything else, we must remember that we are essentially sentimental and social animals. Much more than food and water, we need contact and affection, and this is not just a figure of speech, but a proven reality. Various studies have shown the necessity of touch in our lives. Researchers have followed the development of orphaned children and found that, although they received necessary food and care, the lack of physical contact with caregivers caused them to suffer serious delays in physical and behavioral development, as well as presenting a higher risk of contracting serious infections (Albers et al., 1997).
Although in this case there are other factors involved, such as the absence of a maternal figure, various studies have shown the relationship between touch and well-being. Henricson (2009) showed that massage techniques, such as effleurage*, used by nurses on patients in intensive care units (ICU) provided relief and increased future hope for them, demonstrating that even patients afflicted by serious illnesses can experience moments of pleasure and increased hope through massages. The article suggests that touch should be incorporated as part of therapy for ICU patients.
Do we also find these beneficial effects when the caress is performed by the individual themselves? What effects could simple gestures, such as applying cream to the skin, have? There are still many questions awaiting answers in this area, but a recent study evaluated the difference in tactile perception between touching one's own skin (intrapersonal stimulus) compared to touching another person's skin (interpersonal stimulus). The results showed that participants felt their own skin as less pleasurable than another person's skin; additionally, the skin of the forearm was described as softer, smoother, less sticky, and more pleasurable than that of the palm of the hand. However, this same study showed that the application of a skin emollient resulted in an improvement in self-assessment compared to the assessment of another person, as well as revealing an improvement in the palm's indices compared to those of the forearm (Guest et al., 2009).
To explain this change in perception generated by the application of cream, the article suggests that it may be the effect of a shift in attention focus. According to the author, we have a preference (innate or learned) for touching other human beings rather than touching ourselves. This condition is pointed out as a natural consequence in evolutionary terms, and it is also consistent with the literature in social psychology, which shows how many interactions are reported as more favorable when they involve physical contact. Thus, when we touch our skin and that of another person, our attention is typically directed toward the other person; however, the focus can be diverted to our own skin due to events that alter its natural state. In this case, the use of the emollient may have produced a "curiosity" or different sensation, drawing the individual's attention to their own skin, or this effect may have been caused by skin stimulation during the application of the cream.
In short, this is just a hypothesis, but the work shows us how many things can be behind a simple gesture, such as applying cream to the skin. The mechanisms involved in touch and caress continue to be investigated, but we are increasingly able to see how essential they are.
*Effleurage: a French word that can be translated as "to touch lightly." It is used to describe a massage technique that involves circular movements made with the palm of the hand.
Maria Cristina Valzachi is a biochemist-pharmacist graduated from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at USP and holds a master's degree in Pharmacology from the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at USP. Currently pursuing a doctorate at the same institution, she dedicates herself to research and studies in the fields of Neurochemistry and Behavioral Pharmacology, with an emphasis on adolescence. She has a special interest in all fields related to education and the dissemination of ideas.
Contact: cris.valzachi@gmail.com
References
Albers LH, Johnson DE, Hostetter MK. “Health of Children Adopted from the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe: Comparison with Preadoptive Medical Records.” Journal of the Medical Association. 1997. 278(11): 922-4;
Guest S, Essick G, Dessirier JM, Blot K, Lopetcharat K, McGlone F. Sensory and affective judgments of skin during inter- and intrapersonal touch. Acta Psychologica. 2009;130:115–26;
Henricson M, Segesten K, Berglund AL, Määttä S. Enjoying tactile touch and gaining hope when being cared for in intensive care - A phenomenological hermeneutical study. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing. 2009;25:323-31.
