In a somewhat surprising piece of advice, Dr. Daria Sadovskaya, a nephrologist specializing in kidney health, has suggested that individuals should always tie up their hair when heading to the bathroom, and her reasoning has stirred quite a reaction among the public.
Dr. Sadovskaya’s claim is that entering the bathroom with long hair left loose can heighten the risk of developing pimples due to exposure to bacteria present in feces. She highlighted this point in a TikTok video, where she explained, “It can cause breakouts and irritation that most commonly appears on the forehead.”
She further elaborated, “When you poop, all the bacteria spread from the stool to the bathroom and on your hair first. When your hair is down, it rubs against the skin on your face and transmits all the germs to your face.”
This lesser-known nugget of knowledge seems to have “unlocked a new fear” among individuals who were previously unaware of this potential health concern. Dr. Sadovskaya expressed her satisfaction in a caption accompanying her now-viral video, saying, “I feel so happy when my patients know about these simple tips and don’t damage their health.”
Pimples typically form when skin pores become blocked by a combination of oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and dirt, underscoring the importance of daily cleansing to prevent such breakouts.
However, Dr. Sadovskaya’s claims have elicited a range of reactions from the public, with some expressing disbelief. One individual wrote, “Can I live?” while another commented, “This is getting out of hand.” A third individual questioned the practicality of the advice, asking, “Girl, I have medium-length hair, how am I supposed to have it up?”
In contrast to Dr. Sadovskaya’s perspective, some dermatologists have cast doubt on the significance of this practice. Dr. Joshua Zeichner, an associate professor of dermatology, is among those who view it as a low-risk issue. He explained, “Theoretically, if you are straining on the toilet for an extended period of time, and oily hair is rubbing against the face… it may contribute to blocked pores.” However, he also noted, “There is no greater risk for this whether you are sitting on the toilet or on the couch watching TV with your hair down and over your face.”
Aside from her bathroom advice, Dr. Sadovskaya offered additional skincare recommendations. She advised against using a loofah, as they can be breeding grounds for bacteria, and suggested keeping razors in a dry place to prevent rusting. Furthermore, she advised brushing teeth before applying skincare to prevent any bacteria from lingering on the face.
