Attention men with beards: your beard is not nearly as clean as you think it is! In fact, studies made by microbiologists in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA), by swabbing a group of bearded men, have shown that beards often prove to be dirtier than a toilet bowl. Why? Because facial fuzz forms a wonderful refuge for bacteria.
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A through cleaning
Microbiologist John Golobic, with Quest Diagnostics said:
I'm usually not surprised and I was surprised by this, there would be a degree of uncleanliness that would be somewhat disturbing.
To stem the bacterial tide, there are special shampoos you can use. A thorough cleaning by scrubbing the beard approximately three times a week can at least prevent unpleasant odours. Golobic's tips? Try to keep your hands away from your face, as much as possible. Plus a fair amount of hand washing.
Skin care is vital
Having a beard therefore doesn't necessarily mean that you're dirty - what counts is the right care. Jack Gilbert from the University of Chicago said that:
Human beings are just laden with bacteria, some of which have the propensity to cause disease. But for the most part they’re all commensal organisms, which mean they won't cause us any harm.
Beard hair is hair just like any other, so it also needs to be taken care of, just like head hair. Investing in a good quality beard oil can help keep beard hair healthy, and looking thick and lustrous.
