menstrual hygiene · panty liners · women's health ·Jun 23, 2022

Panty Liners - Difference Between Panty Liners and Pads

What is a panty liner ?

If you are familiar with pads, panty liners should not be a difficult concept to grasp. They are thin, mini versions of pads, similarly made of three layers:

A breathable top layer made of natural or synthetic fibre.
A middle absorbent layer.
The last layer that sticks to the panty.

They are small in size and can be used for a variety of reasons including light bleeding during the last days of your menstruation cycle.

Mainly, when should you use panty liners?

Right before your period - You may experience spotting or increased vaginal discharge around your period. Panty liners can make you feel dry during this time.

Right after your period - Sometimes, spotting occurs post menstruation. Or, you may think that your period has ended, but surprise! Panty liners come in handy in such situations.

In between - During ovulation or around that time, vaginal discharge can occur. Panty liners keep you feeling fresh during this time. Also, it can be worn more often to keep the panties from staining due to vaginal secretions.

What is the use of panty liners?

Apart from trapping spotting or ovulation discharge, there are certain other advantages of using panty liners:

Post-sex fluids - After intercourse, there can be vaginal secretions that flow even after washing the area. Panty liners can protect against this.

Spotting - Sometimes, spotting occurs from taking certain medications like emergency contraception or due to other health conditions. Panty liners can help protect your underwear from these surprises.

Along with tampons or menstrual cups - On heavy flow days, or if you are a beginner using tampons and menstrual cups, sometimes there are chances of leaks. Panty liners help against that.

Light flow days - On the first and last days of periods, the flow is usually very light. Panty liners can be used on these days in place of other period products.

Urinary incontinence - Sometimes, during laughter, stress or due to underlying health conditions, you may lose control over the muscles passing urine, causing accidents, referred to as urinary incontinence. Panty liners can help against that.

Camel toe - Wearing tight bottoms can often reveal the shape of the vulva, which can make a lot of women feel uncomfortable. Panty liners are capable of hiding that.

A surprise visit from Aunt Flo - Often, if you are not keeping a track of your cycle, your periods can catch you off guard. Panty liners can help in this situation and keep you from soiling your panties.

When should you NOT use panty liners?

During menstruation - You should avoid using panty liners during your heavy or moderate flow days of menstruation. They are not as absorbent as pads and will not keep you from leaking or overflowing.

Overnight - Even though you can wear panty liners while sleeping, it is generally best to avoid this practice and let your intimate area breathe, keeping you comfortable.

How to use a panty liner?

Peel the paper covering the sticky side of the panty liner.
Place it on the gusset/ crotch area of your panty. This is the area covering your intimate part.
If the panty liner comes with wings, remove the covering and paste the wings around the panty gussets, such that they show outwards.

Panty liners and pads difference

Pads are like the bigger versions of panty liners and are generally used solely for the purpose of absorbing menstrual fluids. Know more about panty liners and pads difference

Size

Panty liners are much smaller in size and thinner than pads.
Pads come in various sizes for different occasions.

Absorbency

The main function of panty liners is to keep your panties hygienic. They are not meant to absorb menstrual fluid & are thus less absorbent.
Pads are much more absorbent as their main function is to absorb menstrual fluids.

Uses

Panty liners are mainly used as protection against vaginal discharge and spotting. They can also be used to absorb secretions when aroused or for post-sex discharge and other vaginal secretions that cause panties to stain.
There is only one main use of pads. They are designed to absorb blood during periods.

Types of panty liners

There are two main types of panty liners available in the market:

Disposable panty liners

They can be made both of synthetic or natural material and are meant to be use-and-throw. The synthetic ones are sometimes considered harmful for your vaginal health due to the fact that they can highly irritate your skin. And if a fragrance is present, then it can disrupt the pH of your vagina, leading to infections.

The ones made of breathable, natural fibres, like the plant-based Carmesi Panty Liners, are safe to use. Due to the absence of harmful chemicals and fragrances, they do not irritate the skin or cause infection.

Reusable panty liners

These are usually made with breathable and natural fibres like cotton and serve the same purpose as the disposable ones with the difference that they can be washed and reused.

They are usually free from chemicals or irritants that can cause infections or rashes.

Are panty liners safe to use?

Generally, panty liners are safe products that many women use throughout the world without any issue. However, the safety concern of panty liners is solely dependent on two things:

The kind you are using, and
How much hygiene you are maintaining.

With synthetic panty liners that have harsh chemicals, fragrances or dyes, the delicate skin around the intimate area can be easily irritated and develop rashes or infections. Consciously made panty liners, like the Carmesi one, or using the reusable panty liners is considered to be safe.

The other factor that contributes to safety is maintaining hygiene. One panty liner should not be worn more than a day and if you are planning to wear one overnight, it is best to wear a fresh one. Though, wearing one during sleeping hours is not recommended. It is best to wear a panty liner during the day and let your skin breathe during the night.

Can you use a panty liner every day?

Again, this depends on the type of panty liner you are using. If it is more on the natural side, free from chemicals, dyes or fragrance, it can be used on a daily basis.

Synthetic ones are best avoided for everyday use as these can lead to irritation, rashes and infections.

Hygiene tips for using panty liners

Maintain these basic hygiene tips to remain safe from any health issues that may arise from panty liners:

Wash your hands before using one to be safe from any unwanted bacterial infection.
Avoid wearing scented or dyed panty liners to remain safe from rashes, itching or infections.
Ideally, a liner should be changed every 5 hours. If that is not possible, try to change it as frequently as you can and never wear one for more than 12 hours. This will prevent any chance of bacterial or yeast attacks.
Avoid using one while sleeping and let your skin breathe.
To be completely safe, use panty liners manufactured from natural ingredients to avoid rashes, infections or irritation.

Which panty liner should I go for?

If you are considering using one for the first time, or want to change brands, we would recommend you to give the Carmesi Panty Liners a try. They are specially designed for sensitive skin and have a plant-based top sheet that is naturally soft and rash-free.

It is also incredibly thin and will save you from feeling any discomfort from wearing a panty liner. On top of that, it is free from harsh chemicals, fragrances or dyes, making it completely safe for everyday use.

So, ladies, if you are a fan of dry underwear (aren’t we all?), the Carmesi Panty Liners will not disappoint you.