Popsugar Beauty Body Care Should You Use a Loofah? 3 Dermatologists Weigh In on If You Should Use a Loofah 14 June 2019 by Sarah Siegel Image Source: Getty / Flavio Coelho Chances are some of your earliest memories of bath time involved a loved one scrubbing you down with a colorful loofah. However, have you ever wondered if you should use a loofah? Although the exfoliation, scratchy feeling, and suds it produces may make you feel super clean when you get out of the shower, the product sits in a wet environment long after you've dried off, which means it can carry some pretty gross bacteria. We consulted three dermatologists — Debra Jaliman, Marnie Nussbaum, and Dhaval Bhanusali, MD — to find out how they feel about using loofahs. Check out their expert advice, ahead. How to Clean a Loofah Image Source: Getty / Flavio Coelho If you must use a loofah, Dr. Jaliman suggests you clean them frequently. "If you want to use them, then place them in diluted bleach once a week [to kill the bacteria]," she said. Dr. Nussbaum advises that you rinse your loofah well and make sure it dries completely between uses. She also recommends that you replace them frequently. "I recommend getting a new one every three weeks or so." she said. "Also — and this is important — never share them." If you want to continue to use your current loofah, Dr. Nussbaum has a few tips to kill the bacteria harboring in it. "Wash the loofah in very hot water at least once a week," she said. "I recommend running it through the dishwasher, dropping it in boiling water for five to seven minutes, or microwaving it for around 30 seconds weekly." 1 / 1 Body CareBeauty ProductsBeauty Interview