Should I Use A Washcloth In The Shower

"In Our O-pinion" is an OprahMag.com series where we share our unsolicited takes on everything from bath etiquette to whether or non you should dissever the bill at grouping dinners.

After a long solar day, in that location's nada better than taking a hot, steamy shower or soaking in a relaxing bubble bath. But what should you reach for before lathering—a loofah, or a washcloth?

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If yous're like me, it's the latter. In my opinion, there'south just something about that hideous spongy pouf brawl that does not scream, "utilise me to go 100 per centum make clean." Not to mention that the texture of a loofah—even the plastic mesh multifariousness!—is pretty harsh on the skin. Manifestly, that'south exactly the intent behind loofahs: to exfoliate and remove expressionless skin cells. Simply for me, when information technology comes to an end-of-the-solar day shower session, I want soothing and simple—not scratchy and complicated.

Marc Bruxelle // Getty Images

In my household, a loofah was always code for a "cheat bath." It might exist a generational matter—or even cultural. In a brief poll of my friends, family, and colleagues, information technology seems that the full general consensus amidst African-Americans is that the washcloth reigns supreme. Simply, of course, in that location hasn't been any official research on what race tends to utilize one or the other, so I can but speak for myself in that the idea of using a loofah to take care of my, er...um, nether regions doesn't seem ideal. It turns out, however, that most of you are divided on the event, giving the slight edge to loofahs.

In a recent poll conducted on our official Instagram account, 1,693 respondents were #TeamLoofah, whereas 1,689 people were #TeamWashcloth. Then it'southward articulate you're (literally) divided on the matter.

The people have spoken.

@oprahmagazine // Instagram

Only beyond personal preference, I had a lingering question: what's the shelf-life on the number of baths you tin have with the same loofah without feeling as though yous're wasting coin on a beautiful shower accessory? And if I actually retrieve most it, I don't actually know how long you're supposed to use a washcloth earlier washing that, either.

It turns out that the answer to whether to apply a loofah or a launder cloth isn't black-and-white. In fact, it's more like a murky, microbiome greyness area. And if nosotros're to believe the dermatologists and medical experts nosotros sought out to settle the bathroom-time battle, obviously, neither side wins—at least where germs and bacteria are concerned.

Okay, so one is slightly better than the other.

Though nigh experts I spoke to agree that loofahs and wash clothes each present their own unique set up of wellness and skin concerns, there's a picayune more positive feedback well-nigh washrags than their puffy kindred cousin. Surprisingly, however, a few experts said using your hands is actually the safest bet.

"Loofahs are natural exfoliants and assistance create more apportionment on skin—but proceed with circumspection," says Elizabeth Trattner, a certified acupuncture doc who specializes in Chinese and integrative medicine. "Having worked on peel for more 20 years, I advise my patients non to use a loofah. When hot water hits your body, your pores open and a dirty loofah tin can actually induce leaner into your skin. On the other hand, when you step out of the shower, your pores shut from the common cold, allowing bacteria to become trapped within."

Backing upwardly Dr. Trattner's claims is Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, Doc, medical manager of Mudgil Dermatology. Dr. Mudgil is one of the few dermatologists to be certified in both dermatology and dermatopathology.

"Neither are necessary," explains Dr. Mudgil. "But if you lot're going to choose one, wash cloths are much better than loofahs, provided you only apply the cloth ane time before washing information technology. Both can harbor bacteria, but loofahs are much more than prone to doing so given all their 'nooks and crannies.'"

Michele Paiva, a psychodermatologist at PĀIVÄ Skincare, adds that a "loofah can drive former cells and droppings into pores." And that particularly applies to your confront.

"I prefer clients to use their fingertips to cleanse the face, as they can experience the skin and connect listen to body," Paiva says. "Information technology allows the pare to be cleansed thoroughly and gently. Example in point: estheticians use hands, not loofahs, for facials."

Wait, hands?

That's right! Scrubbing up with your easily is recommended.

"Information technology'south best to just wash with our hands," suggests Erum Ilyas, Doc, MBE, FAAD. "Loofahs take been well-documented reservoirs of bacteria. They have been shown to grow Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, and more. If you couple the fact that the bacteria are trapped in the fibers of the loofah and that these sponges are used to exfoliate the peel, the risk of infection is much higher. Meanwhile, our hands can be easily cleaned."

Jamie Grill // Getty Images

She continues: "If y'all're seeking the exfoliation that loofahs or cloths tin provide, endeavour using scrubs that rinse down the drain. Carbohydrate scrubs, apricot scrubs, or any kind of gritty cleanser tin achieve the same results."

Got it! Merely I'thou not completely sold on using my hands. What else tin I use?

If the idea of bathing with only hands and a bar of soap doesn't sound highly-seasoned or hygienically friendly, Dr. Trattner—who is known for her signature gemstone acupuncture facial—offers an interesting alternative.

"I actually prefer makeup remover mitts that are made of a special material, every bit they scratch less than washcloths or loofahs and can exist done repeatedly. The carbon footprint is really lower because of the reuse cistron."

Sorry. I can't office ways with my precious loofah or cloth. How tin can I make it safer?

Get-go, y'all take to know when it'south time to toss or launder both. Over time, leaving anything wet just lying around will produce leaner, and the shower area is convenance ground for the worst germ culprits. If your loofah or rag has a mildewy or moldy smell—or you're left feeling itchier than when you took a bath—it'due south fourth dimension to throw it away.

Keeping a loofah for 60 days is sufficient every bit long every bit you are sterilizing information technology on a regular basis.

"I understand that many people love the 'polished' feel of their pare after using loofahs, specially if you struggle with dry, flaky skin or, conversely, excessively oily skin" says Ilyas. "If yous're determined to use it, then measures must be taken to go along a loofah clean. Washing these routinely with a bleach solution is of import. I likewise recommend placing a hook in the shower to hang your loofah in order to allow it to dry completely after use."

Dr. Paul Dean, a certified dermatologist at Grossmont Dermatology Medical Clinic in San Diego, suggests another location for your loofah: the dishwasher.

"Keeping a loofah for threescore days is sufficient equally long every bit you are sterilizing it on a regular basis," says Dr. Dean, who is also the founder of Skin Resource.MD cosmeceuticals. " If using a loofah, put it in the dishwasher on the meridian rack every bit frequently as yous tin can to sanitize information technology. By doing this, yous will avoid bacterial contagion."

As far every bit washcloths, Dr. Trattner adds that they should be used one fourth dimension only and so thrown out or laundered.

"Expressionless skin cells are on a wash material that'southward but sitting on a sink or even hanging," she says. "If you must reuse, wash with paw lather and hang dry out in a sunny place with air movement in outside the sink, bath, and shower. Buy cheap white ones that can be washed in hot water with Borax and eco-friendly, no-fragrance soap. And skip the fabric softener because it can crusade itching and rashes."

Final Verdict: I'm all the same squad bath cloth. Sorry, loofah fans. But considering this expert advice, I know that washcloth lovers similar myself should either throw abroad their wash cloths with every use or wash them properly every time. Lesson learned. At present, as always, sound off in the comments most your preference.

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