Bad Beauty Habits That Are Health Hazards
Most women are very careful to use hand sanitizer, and to avoid touching anything in a public restroom. However, when it comes to their beauty bag, they are not as germ-cautious as they could be. Most women do not realize that they are exposing themselves to infection-causing bacteria and mold, just by not cleaning their beauty products correctly. Here are three bad beauty habits to be aware of to protect your health.
Using a Loofah
A loofah doesn’t get you as clean as you think. When a loofah hangs in a humid shower, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Even staphylococcal or staph can grow on a loofah. While staph naturally occurs on the skin, it becomes a problem when it interacts with a cut or open sore on your skin. It is better to throw out your loofah and to just use your hand and an exfoliating body wash.
Sharing a Razor
Sharing a razor with anyone, even a spouse, can be problematic, especially if you cut yourself. Razors can transmit viruses like hepatitis B and C and herpes, bacterial infections such as folliculitis, and staph infections like MRSA. These health risks are even present when you don’t share a razor. If you hang on to your razor too long and then cut yourself, you can introduce bacteria to the cut. Be sure not to share your razors and to change your razor often.
Testing Out Beauty Supplies
It is a good idea to try a certain make up or color before you buy, but don’t do so at the make-up counter. You never know who was testing the make-up before you and how they were testing it. Even if you try to stay sanitary and use a cotton swab, you can infect yourself. One study found that make up samples can commonly contain staph, strep, and even E. coli. Skip the open make up testers and ask for make-up samples instead. Many make-up companies also have a great return policy, which allows you to return partially used make-up if you do not like it.
Plucking Your Nose Hair
Have a few nose hairs poking out? It can be tempting to just pluck them quickly. This is a bad idea though, since many times your tweezers are not sterile. Also, plucking nose hairs removes your nose’s defense against airborne germs and pollutants. Instead, sanitize small clippers with rubbing alcohol and just trim the nose hairs poking out.
Who knew that common bad beauty habits could affect your health? Make sure to avoid these habits if you want to protect yourself from unnecessary bacteria and mold exposure.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of meenakshi madhavan