How does soft facial tissue balance softness with strength and absorbency?

Soft facial tissue balances softness with strength and absorbency through various manufacturing techniques and material choices. Here's how this balance is achieved:

Fiber Selection: Soft facial tissues are typically made from long, fine fibers such as virgin wood pulp, bamboo, or cotton. These fibers are chosen for their softness and flexibility, allowing the tissue to feel gentle against the skin. However, fibers also contribute to strength. Longer fibers interlock more effectively, providing structural integrity and resistance to tearing.

Ply Configuration: Facial tissues are often available in single-ply, two-ply, or three-ply configurations. While single-ply tissues offer excellent softness and flexibility, they may lack the strength and absorbency of multi-ply tissues. By increasing the number of plies, manufacturers can enhance the tissue's strength and absorbency without sacrificing softness excessively.

Bonding Techniques: Soft facial tissue layers are bonded together using various techniques such as embossing, creping, or lamination. Embossing creates a pattern of raised and recessed areas on the tissue surface, which helps to increase surface area and absorbency without adding bulk. Creping involves stretching and crinkling the tissue, which enhances its flexibility and softness. Lamination involves bonding multiple layers together, which increases strength and thickness.

Lotion Infusion: Some soft facial tissues are infused with lotions or moisturizers to enhance softness and soothe the skin. These lotions can help reduce friction and irritation, making the tissue gentler to use. However, care must be taken to ensure that the lotion does not compromise the tissue's absorbency or strength.

Surface Treatments: Soft facial tissues may undergo surface treatments to improve their performance. For example, tissues may be treated with anti-static agents to reduce clinging, or with wet-strength additives to improve durability when wet. These treatments can help maintain softness and strength under various usage conditions.

Soft facial tissues achieve a balance between softness, strength, and absorbency through careful selection of materials, ply configuration, bonding techniques, and quality control measures.