Is Loofah Bad for Skin? Here’s What Dermatologists Say and It’s Gross
Studies show loofah is not as healthy and skin friendly as we thought. Dermatologists have asked people to boycott loofah as it causes more harm to our skin than we can ever imagine. Here’s what doctors have to say about the beauty accessory and why it’s time we start avoiding it.
Loofah seems hygienic at first but it’s time to bust that belief. Your loofah is causing you more harm than you can ever possibly imagine. Dermatologists say they would not recommend loofahs to anybody for all the gunk it contains. If you love using loofahs, it’s time to stop. Let’s jump into why dermatologists are asking people to boycott loofahs. Women Are Inserting Sea Sponges Into Their Vaginas As ‘Reusable’, ‘Nurturing’ Alternatives to Tampons; Gynaecologist Warns Against the Practice.
In 1994, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology explained why loofahs aren’t really your friend. Loofahs are made of actual cucumber and not plastic mesh. This can produce and transmit Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium that causes diseases in animals.
Loofah is a great exfoliant. When you use a loofah it scrubs off the dead cells of your body, they’re stuck in the holes. When you save the loofah in the bathroom for the next use, this is when the bacteria starts to grow. The bacteria in it multiplies with every feed of dead cells. There comes a point you’ll be rubbing more dirt on your body than cleaning it off. You're rubbing off your dead cells back on your skin. The bacteria breeding in this can cause staph infection. Staph infection can severely affect the immune system and cause skin irritation.
A writer for the Journal of Clinical Microbiology says, "These sponges have gained immense popularity as exfoliative beauty aids designed to invigorate the human skin," he adds, "As a natural product, however, loofah sponges play host to a variety of bacterial species." Winter Morning Routine For Your Skin From a Dermatologist.
If you must use a loofah, replace it every one or two weeks, let it air dry outside your bathroom and away from the humid atmosphere. However, loofah must be boycotted altogether. Dermatologists recommend not using any such abrasive tool to clean. A disposable sponge is enough.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 24, 2019 03:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).