There is nothing quite as relaxing as taking a hot shower after a long day. You probably have a few favorite products that you’d like to use as part of your daily self-care routine, and a bath sponge or loofah could be among them. While they’re all-natural and organic, loofahs aren’t perfectly safe for everyday use and can do more harm than good over time.
we’ve also been given cute shower puffs and loofahs in gift sets. But we’re definitely thinking about taking a shower without them after learning what can happen if we leave them on forever.
Your Skin Might Look Clearer
While loofah sponges are meant to remove dead skin cells and make your skin silky smooth, they can actually work the other way around. Since the loofah is very porous, it easily traps the skin cells you just removed from your body, making it the perfect environment for bacteria to flourish.
And because they are used and stored in a humid bathroom, they never dry out completely, creating a perfect breeding ground for fungi that can lead to skin infections.
It May Help Prevent Skin Irritation
There’s no question that puffs and loofahs can scrub your skin effectively, but doing it too often and too vigorously can cause more harm than good.
The thick, brittle fibers of the loofah can be very abrasive to the skin and can damage it over time. If you use your loofah every time you shower, it can irritate your skin and make it more sensitive and red.
Your Razor Burn May Heal Faster
Shaving your legs is the quickest and easiest way to get rid of unwanted hair, but it often causes painful burns that take time to heal. While skin exfoliation can help prevent ingrown hairs, it’s best to avoid using a loofah for a few days after shaving.
After all, there are plenty of bacteria inside the pores of the loofah and they can get into the skin through the micro-cuts left after shaving.
It Might Keep Certain Unpleasant Symptoms At Bay
When you step out of the shower and hang your loofah in there to dry, the humid environment of the bathroom creates the perfect conditions for harmful bacteria to multiply. If you don’t store and dry it properly, your loofah can grow dangerous bacteria called E. coli.
Exposure to E. coli can cause some disturbing symptoms, such as stomach pain and nausea, and can even cause vomiting.
Do you use a bath sponge or loofah in the shower? Have you ever tried to shower without it?
Preview photo credit Shutterstock.com
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