Can beauty products be a carrier of the virus?
It’s hard to resist the temptation of trying out free samples and testers of blush, lipstick or foundation. But, in the aftermath of the pandemic, how safe will it be to use these? Dermatologist Dr Pallavi Ailawadi says, “When we talk about spreading of infection, it can be in two ways. One can be through the bottle of tester, which will be touched by the staff and multiple customers.
The other possibility is of the product being microbiologically contaminated.” She also states that there are multiple known instances of infections caused by shared beauty products in salons, stores as well as when they are being used over a long period of time.
Dermatologist Dr Deepali Bhardwaj opines that shopping for beauty products and touching of samples shall stay scary in the near future. She says, “Don’t touch samples directly with your skin as aerosol transmission of the novel coronavirus is documented and an asymptomatic carrier may have tried it before or may work in the store.” Dr Rashmi Shetty, another
dermatologist, explains, “The cleaning staff on Day 1 of reopening of stores could be the carrier. There might be the handprints of a positive or asymptomatic person, and the next person who touches the product might carry it on from there, so there is a fear of transmission.”
With advisories to not touch the face fearing transmission, the safest way to test products in the future will be digital. “Beauty stores should allow customers to take a photo and digitally apply the lipstick or nail paint to check whether it suits their skin tone or not,” Dr Ailawadi says. Dr Bhardwaj suggests that the sanitisation of the factory and manufacturing details must be checked before buying. The outer packaging and the product inside should be sterilised with UVC lamp.