Dermatologist reveals how often you should replace your loofah after warning issued to anyone using them

Earlier today, Tyla reiterated a stark warning given by dermatologists to bathers who are guilty of using a loofah in the shower.

Since then, hundreds of you worry warriors have seemingly been frantically Googling exactly how often you should be replacing these exfoliating devices.

And it turns out, you should probably be doing so a heck of a lot more than you probably do...

Skin doctors have been issuing a warning about loofah use ( photograph by dorisj/Getty)

What on earth is a 'loofah'?

First things first, let's tackle the elephant in the room. If the term 'loofah' has you feeling baffled, that's probably because your family have a different word for this bathroom staple.

Whilst other internet users seem to call it a 'shower puff', these small, soft and circular-shaped devices are basically types of sponge made of a network of plastic, mesh-like knots, joined together by a loop of string tied that allows you to hang it up on your shower hooks.

Loofahs are used as a means of both cleaning and exfoliating the body, removing dead skin and it brushes a layer of shower gel through every fold and crevice.

Not only are they a super cheap alternative to using your hands to wash your body, but they're re-usable, meaning they often remain hung in home-owners' bathrooms for long periods of time.

These sponges can be hotbeds of bacteria (simonkr/Getty)

What are the health-risks involved in using one?

As we say, however - despite the budget-friendliness and accessibility of the product, some dermatologists have recently been using their platform as a means of warning bathers about the downsides of loofah use.

Joel Schlessinger MD - a board-certified dermatologist - told the Dermatology Institute that he'd never use one on his skin while showering due to the masses of bacteria that loofahs could hold.

"Loofah sponges are intimate with many unclean areas of the body and then sit around allowing bacteria to multiply within the nooks and crannies of the sponge," he explained, adding that these warm, moist sites can serve as the perfect space for organisms to colonise.

Because of this, he and other skincare expert insist that, if readers are dead set on keeping their beloved loofahs, they at least limit how long they use it for...

Okay, fine. How often should we be replacing our loofahs?

These sponges should be replaced more regularly than you might think (Jena Ardell/Getty)

Speaking to In The Know, another dermatologist, Dr Dusan Sajic revealed that loofah customers should 'aim' to replace their sponges 'about every three to four weeks'.

She firstly pointed out that, after this point, your product could begin breaking down naturally and become less affective, 'so [you] might need to be replaced more frequently."

Then, she highlighted the bacterial importance of replacing your sponge.

“Loofahs can be a magnet for bacteria and other microbes, especially since they’re typically kept in the warm, moist environment of a bathroom," the medic went on.

"Replacing your loofah regularly reduces the chance of these bacteria causing infections or other skin problems."

She added that it's vital for users to let their loofahs air dry entirely between every use in order to keep them germ-free.

"Keeping it outside of the shower, where it can dry more completely, is a good idea," she continued. "Although most would find this self-explanatory, never share your loofah with others as it can spread skin conditions or infections."

Well, that's us told...