The History of Wipes

Wet wipes and other pre-moistened products for personal and caregiving use have become a staple in the American home. These products often offer patients and caregivers a quick and easy solution that benefits all parties involved. The consumer and professional demand for wipes used in various settings was expected to increase through 2023, but the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the course of these products and all signs point to unforeseen demand in the future with the escalation of personal use.
 
Why are wipes so wildly popular?
The consumer market demand is driven by two factors. Preference and convenience. In a recent study, it was noted that two out of three patients prefer wet wipes to traditional topical creams, ointments, lotions, or gels. When being used in a caregiving scenario, it was noted that wipes allowed for more targeted use that gave comfort when being used. A group of participants in this study noted that individual packages for each wipe are more convenient and discrete when on-the-go, but larger more economical tubes or jars were prefered for home use. Others noted that limiting application to the areas that needed attention was important, but were also less messy than topical applications.
 
It Started with Chicken!
Thankfully back in 1958, Arthur Julius had a thought and a vision for what was needed in the market and the first iteration of the wipe came into existence. In 1963 he started selling Wet-Nap products to Colonel Harland Sanders for use in hand washing by customers of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
 
Not long after pre-moistened wipes became a staple in the beauty industry predominantly being used for cleansing or moisturizing the skin, baby care, hand washing, makeup removal, washing the body when bathing was not practical, feminine, and other personal cleansing. Soon, the trend caught on and the use of wipes became a widespread phenomenon.
 
As technology and need developed, pre-moistened wipes were then introduced for therapeutic purposes. Early FDA-approved drugs delivered utilizing pre-moistened applicators include acne treatment drugs, retinoids, antibiotics, antifungals, steroids, and local anesthetics. It seemed as if a time before wipes had never existed!
 
Personal care has become an important part of our daily lives and society interacts with wipes daily. Better than sliced bread? You be the judge.
 
Then Came Pharma-C  
Reinventing the wheel is not what is needed. Taking the time to improve on a great idea can be a great benefit. At Pharma-C, for over 15 years, we have been dedicated to providing you with high-quality first aid, personal care and home health care products that really work.
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Wipes are a particular passion of ours and that is why it is important to us that we create products that are both safe and effective while being efficient and practical for those who use them.

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