Do you use this common shower item?

"Even a brand new loofah, when exposed to sterile water, can grow pathogenic bacteria," warns Dr. Amanda Derwae, MD, a dermatologist at Integrated Dermatology of Fairfax. Natural loofahs made of gourd are no better either.

The second reason any loofah is a bacterial haven is that it never dries. Loofahs are damp after touching wet skin and are usually left to hang in the shower.

Constant scrubbing makes your skin more infection-prone

If you weren't grossed out by loofahs being a bacterial playground, here's another dirty truth. Constant scrubbing with a sponge scrubber makes your skin more prone to infections.

Loofahs create microtrauma by over-exfoliating skin, explains Dr. Derwae. The rough and vigorous strokes can remove more of the top layer of skin than needs to be removed. This is especially bad for people with sensitive skin or with an existing skin issue, which can make the problem worse and risk infection.Even on normal skin, vigorous scrubbing with a loofah may eventually cause lichenification. As the skin's way to protect itself from constant abrasion, the skin hardens and thickens, leaving you with a wrinkly and leathery appearance.

Common Mistakes People Make When Using a Loofah

According to Dr. Derwae, using a loofah in general is the biggest shower mistake. However, if you want to hold on to your beloved soap scrubber, she recommends the following tips.First, you need to give the loofah a chance to dry off completely. That means not using the loofah daily or keeping it in the bathroom, but in a cooler, less humid environment. While it won't lessen the bacteria on the loofah, it can curb the extent of bacterial growth.Second, don't use loofahs too harshly to exfoliate. "Even small breaks in the skin can be a portal of entry for bacteria," she warns. "Loofahs should not be used for rashes or skin disorders, as these areas of skin are more susceptible to infection."Third, using antibacterial soap doesn't kill the germs on the loofah. Instead, you'll want to clean it once a week. Dr. Derwae recommends using a mixture of one part household bleach to nine parts water for cleaning. "I've heard other methods such as throwing it in the washing machine in hot water or soaking with vinegar, but I don't know of data to show that either of these is as effective as bleach."If a loofah is synthetic or damp, Dr. Badreshia-Bansal says microwaving a loofah for a few seconds can also do the trick.Lastly, people often keep their loofahs until they come apart or smell like mildew. To avoid a bacterial hotbed, Dr. Derwae advises replacing your loofah every three to four weeks.

Amanda Derwae, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist