Qualities of the fibers themselves, such as length and thickness, may play parts in causing skin discomfort. For example, shorter fibers seem to accentuate the perception of prickle, as there are more fiber ends to be felt in any given surface area of fabric. Similarly, coarser fibers appear more likely to intensify prickling sensation than their finer counterparts. Many of the major processors of wool use a process called carbonization. Wool is put through a chemical bath of hydrochloric acid and other chemicals to clean the wool. This is different and in addition to a normal scouring of soap. Sulfuric Acid is also used in to carbonize wool specifically to remove dyes from recycled wool. This type of scouring has many downfalls. The chemicals alone are very harmful and we can only assume that residues are leftover in the finished wool product. This process also strips away all of the natural lanolin which keeps the wool soft and supple. The other major con to this process is that it makes wool itchy. Carbonization rips off the tiny hair follicles on a strand of wool and makes them brittle and ragged causing the wool to be itchy.