Why Dermatologists Don’t Use Loofahs

And you shouldn’t either

Taking a shower rids the body of surface level germs and bacteria. The squeakyclean feeling, however, isn’t thanks to harsh loofahs. In fact, most dermatologists don’t recommend them – and would definitely not use them on their face.

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 dermatologist Dr Benjamin Garden. “Gently use your fingers to rub the face wash on and gently wash off.”

Over-washing depletes the skin of the natural lipids that are an important part of its protective barrier.

PRONE TO BACTERIA

On a germier note, dermatologist Dr Joel Schlessinger says it’s one of the things dermatologists never put on their faces because of bacteria. “Loofah sponges are intimate with many unclean areas of the body and then sit around allowing bacteria to multiply within the nooks and crannies of the sponge,” Dr Schlessinger says. Organisms colonise in these spaces, particularly in the warm, moist environment of a shower. This creates the potential for serious infections, particularly in patients with weak immune systems.

BUT IF YOU INSIST...

There are some cases where it could make sense to use a loofah on your body. Dermatologist Dr Peter O’Neill occasionally recommends loofahs to patients with skin conditions that lead to a build-up of cells, such as psoriasis. If you do use one, take some precautions: avoid over-scrubbing; limit use to once or twice a week; and always rinse the loofah thoroughly before letting it completely air dry, Dr O’Neill says. Soaking it in vinegar or diluted bleach minimises the growth of microorganisms, too.