There are germs on hair tools that’ll totally gross you out and make you wonder if you really need that blowout after all.
Most people spend time cleaning their bathrooms regularly. They scrub down the tiles, disinfect the toilet, give the seat a good wiping, sweep and mop the floor, take out the trash, and so on. They stand back and smile as they see a clean bathroom.
But does all of this really mean your bathroom is clean? You may not see or smell anything, but you’d be amazed by how many pathogens and microorganisms are hiding in your bathroom! This might surprise you, but the truth is that your hair care tools are one of the most common sources of germs, bacteria, and fungi. Here are a few of the things that live on your hair care tools:
- Hair Brushes — Did you know that the average hair brush can contain up to 3,500 colonies of bacteria on every square inch? One group of scientists tested 30 hairbrushes and found that they contained more bacteria per square inch than a toilet seat or a pet food bowl. Yuck!
- Hair wax — Every time you apply that hair wax to your head, underarms, your moustache, or your pubic hair (yes, people do that), you are opening up the hair follicles to bacteria–bacteria that likely already live in the wax and on the applicators. If you double-dip, you’ll triple the presence of pathogens in your hair wax. Definitely a no-no! Natural is in, anyway.
- Razor blades — When you run that razor blade across your legs, underarms, and face, you are exposing your skin to the bacteria that have been growing and flourishing on the razor since its last use. When you finish, you’ll wash all the water and soap off, but the bacteria will remain. Every time they come in contact with your skin, you increase your risk of contact dermatitis or folliculitis.
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- Hair dryer — According to professional stylists, it’s best to avoid using old hair dryers that have not had the vents cleaned. Any water that gets into the air vents provides bacteria with a place to grow and breed, increasing the risk that your hair care tools will have germs on it. Think about the last time you were the last blowout of the day for your stylist. He or she finished your hair, put the dryer down, and everyone went home. They picked up the same dryer the next morning and let all that bacteria literally blow out onto the head of the person after you. Hello, germ cloud!
- Curling irons — Every time you use your curling iron or flatiron, some of the oil from your hair or scalp are left on the surface of the iron. You may think that the iron is hot enough to kill off any bacteria, but what happens when the iron cools? The hair oil is still there, meaning there is still food for new bacteria to grow and flourish. Hair oil is basically an all-you-can-eat bacteria buffet. It’s definitely not the smart, safe tool you think it is.
All of these hair care tools are home to bacteria and germs, so it’s in your best interest to wipe them down and clean them properly before and after using them.
Long story short, wipe down all your hair tools with either alcohol or peroxide after each use. And definitely, never ever share hair tools if it’s possible.
