Beard Gang! Experts warn beards are nothing more than a 'bacterial sponge'

It's no new that beards are the new six pack with so many men ditching the clean shaven look..However,experts have warned that beards are nothing more than a 'bacterial sponge', riddled with thousands of bacteria - and a perfect way to pass on germs

Carol Walker, a consultant trichologist said having facial hair can LEAD to more frequent skin infections and to germs being passed on to others.
Beards harbour more germs because facial hair is courser than other hair, so traps dirt and germs more easily.She told MailOnline:

 'Beard hair; it’s courser. It has the shape of a bayonet, a round, convexed bottom and then comes up the side to a point.
‘It becomes curly and smooth, it tends to have more bends and kinks which trap dirt.
‘The cuticles on the hair – which are like layers of tiles on a roof - trap the germs and grease.Hair around nostrils and mouth is well-placed to harbour bacteria.

She added that people have a habit of over-handling their beards, meaning they can spread bacteria to their mouths.

‘If their hands are dirty, they transfer dirt from their hands on to their face and mouths.
‘If someone eating dairy products it can get stuck in their beard and become a bit rancid.
‘There can be a lot of Stepholococci [a group of bacteria that can cause illness] if someone’s got a cold.Some people get skin infections, caused if they have a lot of scale build up or eczema from the bacteria in their beard.‘If someone has a cold, a runny nose it can trickle down and be trapped in the nose, beards. Food drink can dribble down too.'

 However ,another professor said ‘It’s the same bacteria that’s on your skin. It’s not problematic and it’s not a health risk.’