How often should you change your sponge so it doesn't become a cluster of germs?

What would you do if you knew that what you clean and care for your skin with was an ideal breeding ground for bacteria? Well, that's what happens with vegetable sponges, those known as Luffa (a plant of the cucumber family), which many people use to exfoliate their skin, stimulate circulation and even fight cellulite naturally.

According to a 1994 study published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, this seemingly harmless bathroom accessory can harbor a wide range of bacterial species. What can cause many to rethink continuing with this beauty ritual.

An ideal home for bacteria

It is clear that they are a wonderful exfoliant, because they drag all the dead cells of our skin, the problem is that they get tangled and accumulate in all the nooks and crannies of the fibrous matrix of the sponge.

“The natural regeneration of the skin, in which the most superficial layer is shed to be replaced by new cells, occurs spontaneously every 3-4 weeks (approx) and the sponges help us in this process, but we must go with Be careful when using them”, says Sofia Lucas, dermatologist at the Arnau de Vilanova Hospital in Valencia and member of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV).

Vegetable or Luffa sponges drag dead skin cells, which become entangled and accumulate in all the nooks and crannies of their fibrous matrix”

The real drama happens later, though, when you're done and leave it hanging in the shower until next time. “So you leave it in a hot, humid environment, which is the perfect environment for bacteria to grow on the sponge,” says J. Matthew Knight, a dermatologist at the Knight Dermatology Institute. In addition, Lucas ensures that these bacteria "feed on the discarded cells that are trapped in the sponge."

Cada cuánto debes cambiar tu esponja para que no se convierta en un cúmulo de gérmenes

In fact, each time this process of re-wetting and not drying properly is repeated, the bacteria grow more and more. And one of the trickiest they found during the study is the so-called Staphylococcus, responsible for many infections.

All of this can get even worse if you use this germ-ridden bulb on freshly shaved skin or a small wound. Bacteria have even more opportunities to cause irritation or infection.

“Some species of staphylococci are part of the natural flora of our skin, but when the skin barrier is altered by a wound, erosion or irritation, it is more prone to infections, producing, among them, folliculitis, boils, impetigo or even cellulitis. ”, Lucas sentences.

With freshly shaved skin or a small wound, bacteria have even more opportunity to cause irritation or infection."

For this reason, Knight estimates that 9.8 out of 10 dermatologists would recommend against using a sponge. the hand on the skin while we massage it gently and delicately”, indicates the expert.

Guide so that your sponge does not become a broth of bacteria

However, if you are a loofah lover and unable to part with it, there is also good news for you. With these sponge hygiene and maintenance tips you will have nothing to fear.

1. Replace it frequently: at least every two or three weeks for the natural type and every two months if it is a plastic one. You should do it sooner if you notice that mold stains have appeared or that it has changed color or smell. In addition, the dermatologist recommends that "they are never shared with another person" and if we are very attached to the sponges, "we use the daily disposable ones".

2. Do not leave it in the shower: so that it lasts as long as possible, we should not leave the sponge in a humid environment where bacteria can grow at will. Instead, it's best to dry in a cool place, such as in front of an open window.

The sponge should never be shared with another person”

Sofia LucasDermatologist member of the AEDV

3. Disinfect it with bleach: if it is natural and not plastic, it can be soaked in a diluted bleach solution for five minutes once a week.