The redefined concept of ‘parasite’ by Director Bong Joon Ho. There are beneficial parasites in our skin as well!
The redefined concept of ‘parasite’ by Director Bong Joon Ho. There are beneficial parasites in our skin as well!
  • 한정선 기자(향장학 박사) (fk0824@k-health.com)
  • 승인 2020.03.30 15:51
  • 댓글 0
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Director Bong Joon Ho’s movie, ‘Parasite,’ has swept over the academy award for best picture, best director, best international feature film, and even best screenplay, overcoming the ‘1 inch subtitle barrier’ that was originally thought to be impossible to conquer.


As the film proudly won the academy award on a stage that has been majorly prevalent with western films, our low spirits due to coronavirus were able to become uplifted.

 

Because we never imagined to earn so much happiness in this way from ‘parasites,’ which were only thought as disgusting and repulsive, it feels like we have received a gift as a bonus.

But do you know that there is also a parasite in our skin that benefits us? That parasite is the one and only ‘Demodex.’

 

CARD 1. Demodex that lives in hair follicles and on the face

Around 90~98% of Koreans have the Demodex. This Demodex lives in the hair follicles and on the face, intaking nutrients through sebum and waste matter after penetrating into hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

 

CARD 2. There are two types of Demodex!

There are 2 types of Demodex that live on our bodies. Among the two, the Demodex folliculorum has a length of 0.3~0.4mm and a thin shape, living in the area of hair follicles.

And the Demodex brevis is smaller with a size of 0.15~0.2mm, and is spread widely around the sebaceous glands. These increase in number with age and can be easily seen on the skin.

In particular, Demodex is more prevalent at the nose, forehead, and cheeks where sebum secretion is more active.

 

CARD 3. A bug-shaped Demodex that is surely disgusting

Demodex is hard to see with the naked eyes and can only be seen with a microscope.

It is translucent and long in shape with 8 legs located to the front of its body. Additionally, demodex moves around with a speed of 8~16mm/h and is usually nocturnal.

Due to its pin-like mouth for the consumption of sebum and waste matter, Demodex is surely disgusting with its shape akin to a ‘bug.’

 

CARD 4. A surprising side of the Demodex

The nuance given from being a parasite and its disgusting shape make it seem like Demodex is purely harmful to the human body. However, Demodex has a surprising side to it.

That is, the Demodex keeps in check the sebum secreted from our skin and hair follicles and maintains the appropriate state of acidity in order to help protect our body from a variety of harmful microorganisms and germs.

At this point, the Demodex that parasitizes on our body can be instead seen as beings which form a symbiotic relationship, sharing benefits and coexisting together with the human body.

 

CARD 5. Demodex is not always harmful

There are many times cosmetic advertisements emphasize the disgusting shape of Demodex and the negative connotation of a parasite. You can immediately discover this if you search up ‘demodex cosmetics’ on the internet.

Among such advertisements, the most eye-catching ones are videos that make the Demodex look threatening and harmful. Due to these ads, even consumers without much skin problems have come to view Demodex as the ‘ultimate harmful being’ that must be removed at all costs.

 

CARD 6. Cosmetic advertisements which call forth disgust towards the Demodex

Such fear-based marketing of cosmetic companies has created cosmetics ranging from Demodex removing cleansers to patch-like Demodex removing masks which you can stick and take off your face. Furthermore, they have even created a Demodex exterminating cosmetic.

An appropriate amount of Demodex does provide benefits to skin health through coexistence but if they are removed artificially, the skin can be irritated and its self-sustaining power can be reduced.

In conclusion, if the Demodex does not over-reproduce, there is no harm to the human body and no need for us to intentionally put in an effort to remove it from our skin.

 

CARD 7. Too much Demodex can lead to problems such as itchiness

However, at times when there is too much Demodex, several uncomfortable problems arise.

In case of normal skin, there is only 1 Demodex for every 1㎠ of skin. However, if this number increases to 10 for every 1㎠ of skin, serious skin problems arise. At first, it begins with itchiness, which leads to redness and an increase in skin sensitivity. Once hair follicles and skin pores are clogged, inflammation occurs.

Although inflammation due to the Demodex can look similar to acne at times, it has to be cured after receiving professional medical diagnosis as it has nothing to do with the growth of acne bacteria.

 

CARD 8. In order to prevent problems from Demodex, you must carefully wash your face with Low-pH cleansers

If you do not have skin problems as of right now but do feel anxious due to the Demodex, don’t just purchase an expensive cosmetic but carefully wash your face with a Low-pH cleanser.

Demodex is critically weak against slightly acidic pH so using a Low-pH cleanser is a good economic way to prevent the proliferation and reproduction of Demodex. Besides this, it’s also recommended to avoid oil-type cosmetics as well as thick makeups.

We hope that you can become a wise consumer who can overcome the fear-based marketing of the cosmetic industry through such simple and daily practices.

 

CARD 9. Demodex, if managed properly, is a parasite beneficial to the skin

As the movie, Parasite, has become a gift to us while normal parasites are usually harmful, Demodex can also become a harmful parasite or a beneficial and thankful parasite depending on how it is managed.


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