Shocking Facts For Beard Lovers

Scientists established that when it comes to bacteria, the beard is comparable to a toilet. An American microbiologist was shocked by the results.

The beard, which recently became such a huge part of men's appearance, seems to be an excellent breeding ground for bacteria, and can be a source of skin infections not only for its owner, but also those around him. Compounding the situation is the habit of frequent beard-stroking.

Beards are far from harmless. ABC affiliate KOAT, an American TV station from Albuquerque, proved that Russian czar Peter the Great was justified in his decree that all his subjects, except for peasants and the clergy, be clean-shaven. In the experiment, bacterial swabs were taken from beards of several station employees, and it turned out that the microflora of the beard is not much different from that found in the toilet.

Check out HiLee's Vox Beard Perfume

Analyses were conducted by microbiologist John Golobic. "Normally, I am not surprised by research results, but I'm in shock right now," he told reporters. According to the scientist, bacteria that grew in the culture medium was the same variety as that, "which can be seen in the toilet contaminated with feces."

In an interview with The Daily Mail, Carol Walker, a consulting physician at the Birmingham Trichology Center, explained that the beard actually works as a "bacterial sponge," because facial hair, due to its curliness and thickness, traps tiny bits of food and dirt from the environment; in combination with droplets of nasal discharge and saliva, this eventually creates a favorable environment for bacterial growth. Moreover, the presence of bacteria increases the risk of skin infections, transmission of bacterial infections, or entry of pathogens into the oral cavity.

The denser the beard, the more likely it is that bacteria and dirt will linger therein; microbes are located among the hair scales. Therefore, some experts believe that the "dirtiest" part of the beard is around the nostrils and mouth. And dairy products are the most dangerous; after their consumption, men literally flood their beards with microbes.

The beard is also detrimental when a person is sick. Sneezing and coughing deposits bacteria into the beard, which causes proliferation of staphylococcus.

Check out HiLee's Ultrasoft Beard Shampoo

If beard fervor is impossible to resist, doctors recommend regularly washing and shaving facial hair. Beard owners should keep their fingers out of their beards, wash their hands regularly, and use beard shampoo, specially formulated to cleanse dense beard hair. Under no circumstances should regular hair shampoo or salt-free shampoo be used; it can lead to skin irritation, peeling, and premature skin aging. And one last tip for the bearded: thoroughly wash the facial hair after consumption of dairy products, which are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.