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We are all looking for ways to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus these days; beyond wearing face masks and washing our hands constantly, there are other personal care tips that we can all use to reduce the risk of exposure, experts say.
For example, women with longer hair might wonder if they need to wear their hair pulled back in a bun or ponytail to reduce the spread of COVID-19 via the hair follicles. Here’s what health experts say on that topic:
To start, there are no studies on COVID-19 and hair. But we do know that viruses are less likely to survive on hair compared to other surfaces because of the natural hair oils, board-certified dermatologist Rina Allawh tells us.
“Natural oils on the hair have some antimicrobial properties and hinder certain germs from attaching to the hair,” she explains.
Still–there are lots of unknowns, and relying on hair’s natural oils to protect you from the novel coronavirus is not advised.
"Despite the benefit of this natural protectant, this is not a full-proof way to protect yourself and prevent the viral spread," board certified dermatologist and Tory Burch fellow Erum Ilyas warns.
So--what should you do?
Wear Your Hair Up
When wearing a mask, the CDC advises that you limit contact with the mask--ie., don't touch it to adjust it or pull it on and off. If your hair is down, it might get caught in the mask, requiring adjustment, derms say. This is where you get into trouble; the concern is whether you are more likely to touch your face if your hair gets caught on your mouth, nose or check.
"The real issue is how difficult it is to manage wearing our hair down now that face masks are a part of our wardrobe," Dr. Ilyas explains. "I find it simpler to manage by simply keeping hair in a pony tail to avoid touching and manipulating it throughout the day." Good tip!
"Wearing your hair up and avoiding contact with certain surfaces and individuals may further help prevent viral spread," Dr. Allawh agrees.
Wash Your Hair
"The best way to stay safe is to wash your hair. Shampoo has surfactants, charged molecules, that will bind to dirt, oil, bacteria, and to viruses," Dr. Jacob DeLaRosa, chief of Cardiac Surgery at Portneuf Medical Center, explains.
"Washing your hair using shampoo is equally as essential in this ‘COVID-19 climate’," Dr. Allawh agrees.
Wash Your Hands
Additionally, washing your hands and avoiding touching your hair after touching foreign surfaces decreases the risk of transferring the virus from your hands to hair back to your nose, mouth, eyes, etc.
Don't Touch Your Hair
Human beings touch their face almost 1,000 times per day, so you shouldn't give yourself reason to touch it even more.
To be safe, keep your hands away from your hair and avoid touching your hair when out touching foreign surfaces. "You run the risk of transferring the virus from your hands to hair back to your nose, mouth, eyes, etc.," Dr. DeLaRosa explains.
If you are less likely to touch your hair when it's up, then that is your best bet.
Maintain Your Hair
The same rules apply to men--long, itchy facial hair that's growing out might lead to touching your face even more. "The pandemic imposes an additional burden to manage hair and habits," professor of public health at Ball State University Jagdish Khubchandani tells us. "Trim and tie up hair, do not let it be all over the face, touch it less, wash it frequently, and shower daily."
