"Bacterium is attracted to moisture and loves to grow in the nook and crannies of a loofah..."

[Miles Archer]

What's Really Lurking On Your Loofah? Dermatologists Tell Us The Gross Truth

The Huffington Post | By Dana Oliver Posted: 11/25/2013 11:04 am EST

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/25/loofah-bacteria_n_4330801.html



"Loofahs are good for removing dead skin cells leaving the skin smooth and conditioned. Scrubbing the skin two to three times a week will enhance circulation and promote the excretory function of the skin," explains cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank.

Due to their abrasiveness and the fact they can harbor bacteria, mold and germs, Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, not only cautions against using a loofah too roughly and too frequently; she also warns that sharing them is a big no-no.

Dr. Stafford Broumand, plastic surgeon and associate clinical professor of plastic surgery at the Mount Sinai Medical Center, echoes this warning adding, "Bacterium is attracted to moisture and loves to grow in the nook and crannies of a loofah. Some of the bacteria might be something like P. aeruginosa (which has been linked to drug-resistant infections)."

"The most likely route of infection is through broken skin -- nicks and cuts from shaving are particulary susceptible," says Dr. Heidi Waldorf, the director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. "Infections can show up as folliculltis (red bumps and pustules at hair follicles) or as impetigo (yellow-oozing or crusting on a red base)."

[CFLDem]

1. WWGCD

Here's what he would do:

[PoliticAverse]

4. He would use his loofah with raw sewage!... n/t

[longship]

7. Armpits, asshole, crotch and teeth!

Save money and effort. Wash all four with the same brush!

Love George Carlin!

on edit: one wonders how George would do this monologue had he known that the number of bacterial cells in the human body eclipses the number of human cells by orders of magnitude. (That's powers of ten to those mathematically challenged DUers.)

Like George recommends, ya gotta swim in raw sewage to have a robust immune system. And get vaccinated.

Great post, my friend.

[ananda]

2. I thought this loofah was a metaphor for Fox news anchors.

[Incitatus]

3. The soap used on it doesn't kill the bacteria and germs? nt

[jeff47]

9. You'd have to use A LOT of soap and really work it thoroughly through.

For example, washing your hands cuts down a bit on bacteria. But there's still tons left on your hands. Think of it this way - you see doctors on TV shows "scrubbing" before surgery, and even after that extreme effort they put on gloves.

If you happen to be concerned about germs in a loofah or other scrubber, best way to deal with them would be to soak it overnight in a bleach solution every so often. Monthly would probably be plenty - we are built to live in a world full of germs, so it's not that much of a threat.

Scrubbers made of artificial materials (ex. brush with nylon bristles) will harbor less bacteria than natural products.

[longship]

5. How did I know that O'Loofah would figure in this post?

A perfect title and perfect set up.

I bow (and DUrec) to your great entitled post.

[rucky]

6. That's why I use a falafel instead.

[Enrique]

8. fucking thing sucks!