Learn about the power of touch

Discover the power of touch and the effect it has on our lives, from childhood through to adulthood. Understand how the sense of touch works and much more.

The power of touch — understanding the science

Touching is more than just skin deep — it interacts with touch receptors to send messages through the body using neurons.

Sense of trust

The sense of touch can easily be made part of the daily routine. Touch and closeness create trust – and they are very important for children’s development. The important sense of touch can be combined with the gentle application of NIVEA Creme.

How does the sense of touch really work?

In your body you have about 5 million touch receptors beneath the skin. Whenever you sense pain, touch, pressure of temperature, these receptors send electric signals to neurons, which then transmit the message through the spine and onwards to the brain.

The main job of these receptors is to protect the body. For example, if the receptors send a signal that you are in pain or too cold, the brain then responds with an appropriate reaction. This may be to curl in a ball away from the pain or to make your body start shivering in response to the temperature.

Bringing balance and relieving stress

Research shows that those who grow up with more physical touch are more balanced and are less susceptible to stress. As we grow, we store these affectionate moments. Touch helps physiologically and psychologically in the development of children’s personalities and their social skills.

Forges unforgettable moments

A child’s sense of touch is linked with intimacy and safety, while lying close to their mother. Touch can be experienced in the womb long before the sense of sight and smell. Rubbing a skincare product like NIVEA Creme onto kids’ skin helps create a lasting 'touch biography'.

Soothing

Whether it's a gentle kiss on a bumped knee or a soothing rub of the tummy to ease colic, the power of touch is soothing and goes way beyond the skin’s surface. Not only this, human touch helps us to build bonds with other people. Research shows that loving touch can improve communication.

Emotional strength

Physical touch while applying a protective cream like NIVEA Creme gives children a feeling of safety and confidence. The relaxing ritual of massaging in cream after being bathed from head to foot helps the child feel calm. It also creates a lasting bond between parent and child.

The power of touch in everyday life

The sense of touch can be soothing and comforting in adults as well as children, particularly in times of illness or anxiety.

The somatosensory system in practice

The somatosensory system allows us to experience touch, pain, pressure, heat and movement. This system relies on a network of sensors throughout the body, which are activated when there is heat or pressure against them.

So that your body knows what is going on at different areas, these sensors send information back to the brain by means of neurons. In turn, these send signals up the spinal cord to the brain.

Once there, the brain decodes the messages to understand what sensations are being felt: pain, touch or temperature.

Sensory fun facts

Did you know that babies have already learnt the sense of touch before they come out of the womb? They move around when they sense something touching them. Babies use the sense of touch to navigate and also as a form of comfort. This is why they like to be held close after birth.