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Doctor Reveals Why Growing A Beard Might Be Good For You

Doctor Reveals Why Growing A Beard Might Be Good For You

According to research, clean-shaven faces are three times more likely to carry MRSA

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

A doctor has outlined some of the health benefits of growing a beard. Here is his explanation:

Dr Karan Raj took to his TikTok account (@dr.karanr) to say that growing some facial hair might be cleaner and safer than not having anything there.

Speaking to his followers, Dr Raj - who has a beard - said: "Growing a beard might be good for you, according to science. Beards might be cleaner than no beard.

"A study comparing hospital workers with and without beards found that clean shaven faces were three times more likely to carry MRSA. This may be because shaving creates micro abrasions which are perfect breeding grounds for these bacteria.

"Beards can actually give you super soft skin. This happens because the beard not only protects the skin underneath from ageing by blocking sun exposure, but the beard also acts as a barrier to stop you constantly touching the skin around your face.

"This stops you accidentally rubbing off the oils produced by your sebaceous glands which keep your skin oiled and moisturised."

TikTok/dr.karanr

He went on to add: "A beard might reduce the risk of sunburn and skin cancer on bearded areas. There's evidence that having facial hair reduces UV light exposure by a third compared to clean shaven faces.

"Although facial hair can lower the risk of skin cancers like melanoma you shouldn't ditch the sunscreen."

The video has been watched over 260,000 times and has received almost 30,000 likes.

Commenting on the post, one person wrote: "And my wife said it was became I'm too lazy to shave, can now show her a doctor's note."

Another added: "And now I have more reasons to keep my beard! Not just avoiding looking like a teenager."

TikTok/@dr.karanr

It looks like some others felt personally attacked by the video, especially those who are unable to grow a beard.

One wrote: "You just want to make those who can't grow a beard even more mad," to which Dr Raj replied: "Nah just trying to hype up the beards!"

Someone else said: "But how to grow a beard? It's been almost 30 years waiting now."

Some can, some can't.

Featured Image Credit: TikTok/dr.karanr

Topics: Community, UK