A doctor has issued a health warning against kissing men with beards.
No, it’s not about friction; it’s about something much more unsettling.
The Derm Doctor, aka Muneeb Shah, regularly shares helpful skincare tips and tricks with his millions of followers.
Whether it’s reducing dark circles or hydrating dry skin, he has the remedy.
But this time, he has a warning to share involving beards.
The Derm Doctor’s viral video began with a clip from a fellow TikToker, whose hand rested against her forehead.
Text on the screen read: “Kissed a guy with facial hair, thinking it was a good idea at the time.”
The scene then shifted to images of her chin, now covered in painful-looking red spots.
In response, the Derm Doctor had an important announcement to share.
“Clean your beards,” the expert advised.
The dermatologist explained that facial hair can harbour loads of bacteria, and tiny little cuts can form in the skin from contacting it, leading to infections like impetigo.
“Impetigo is a common and highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects infants and young children,” Mayo clinic explains.
“It usually appears as reddish sores on the face, especially around the nose and mouth and on the hands and feet. Over about a week, the sores burst and develop honey-colored crusts.”
So, what’s the remedy?
If you suspect impetigo, don’t hesitate to visit your doctor, who can prescribe antibiotic cream or tablets, depending on the severity.
The American academy of dermatolgy association also has some advice for men wanting to maintain a healthy beard.
Board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Anthony Rossi, MD, FAAD, recommends you have these beard necessities:
- Gentle cleanser for your skin type
- Clean towel
- Gentle exfoliating scrub (especially if you’re prone to developing ingrown hairs)
- Moisturizer with at least SPF 30 (until your stubble turns into a beard)
- Beard conditioner (for acne-prone skin)
- Beard oil (for normal and dry skin)
- Gentle moisturizer (for sensitive skin)
- Beard comb and beard brush
The dermatologist’s video appears to have struck a chord with his viewers, who are now opening up about their own experiences with beard hygiene.
“I always get red and some hives from my hubby’s beard,” one person shared.
“I used to get a rash from my ex’s beard,” added another. “Just thought my acne was really bad (I was 16). [A] dermatologist told me I was wrong. Then I felt like throwing up.”
A third viewer commented: “So this is why my chin had a full-on infection. Makes sense now.”
