Why you should stop using shower puffs to wash yourself

We all use scrubbing devices in the shower to get rid of dirt and dead skin, right?

Well, science is saying we may want to throw out our body scrubbers. Now.

Researchers put shower puffs under the microscope and what they saw was rather...off putting.

Get rid of your shower puffs now! Photo: Getty Images
Get rid of your shower puffs now! Photo: Getty Images

The study published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology found that shower puffs - or loofahs - are home to thousands of bacteria that grow literally overnight.

Loofahs’ many layers and the shower’s damp environment make the perfect home for bacteria to flourish.

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Dermatology expert, J. Matthew Knight, told The Sun that shower scrubbers are pretty disgusting.

“You put them in this environment in the shower that’s warm and moist and gross, and it’s a setup for bacteria, yeast, and mould to grow in the puff.”

Yum!

They're the perfect breading ground for bacteria. Photo: Getty Images
They're the perfect breading ground for bacteria. Photo: Getty Images

According to the research, using loofahs after you’ve shaved your legs or underarms in the shower is the worst thing you can do.

Massaging the scrubbers over open pores or cuts on your skin is like an open house invitation for bacteria to seep into your skin and could lead to you getting harmful infections.

You should throw your shower scrubber away after three weeks. Photo: Getty Images
You should throw your shower scrubber away after three weeks. Photo: Getty Images

Almost all dermatologists recommend you ditch the shower puff and never use them again.

But if you’re adamant on using one to scrub away those dead skin cells, then they advise you to get a new one every three weeks, and wash and dry it thoroughly after every use.

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