Haven't used that loofah hanging in your shower lately? It can be a breeding ground for bacteria. A dermatologist offers tips to keep you and it clean. If you use a loofah, this MD explains why this is harmful and what to use instead.
If you love your loofah, we also share how to keep it as sanitary as possible. Discover the pros and cons of loofahs with dermatologist insights. Get tips on safe usage, alternatives for sensitive skin, and how to maintain loofah hygiene.
Dermatologists recommend lathering body wash with your hands rather than a loofah, scrubbie, or washcloth. Here's why. Although loofahs are a common bath product, they may not be the safest option to use in the shower.
Here are some alternatives our experts recommend. Loofahs are harsh on your skin If you're making the mistake of washing your face in the shower, you might not know that loofahs aren't the best option for clean skin. "You should avoid rubbing with a loofah or washcloth as these are too irritating and will damage the skin," says Benjamin Garden, MD, a dermatologist practicing in Chicago.
The site explains that loofahs can serve as the perfect space for organisms to colonise, being that they're often warm and moist. And it's these types of environments that could harbour the risks of serious infections, which will naturally affect bathers with lower immune systems considerably worse. Understand the genuine risks associated with using loofahs.
We break down why this common shower accessory can compromise your skin health and how to mitigate those dangers. Loofahs can prove dangerous to your skin because they can be a microbe reservoir, especially if they hang unused for days or even hours without a good rinse. Loofahs have lots of nooks and corners, and they are very porous.
Hence, when you use a loofah to scrub the dead skin cells, those cells get lodged in the nooks and corners, which becomes an ideal place for bacterial growth. Throw out that Loofah! Now! The post Loofahs Are Unsanitary - Here's What To Use Instead first appeared on Her Campus.