Q&A for How to Use a Loofah

You can eat young loofah, which you can find in some Asian markets. Do not attempt to eat your bathroom sponge, which is from a very old, dried plant.

Loofahs are a great way to gently exfoliate skin. They can carry a lot of bacteria, however, if not properly cared for and dried between uses, so they may not be the best choice for everyone.

Loofahs can be hard to clean. If you dry it completely between uses, it is considered sanitary.

Yes, loofahs provide exfoliation. Unlike many other exfoliants, they are gentle enough to use every day.

No, you cannot. The dryer will melt the natural fibers. Let your loofah air dry outside in the sun, instead.

Yes, the loofah should not effect the tone of your skin. Just use minimal pressure as too much friction from any source can darken the skin.

A well dampened loofah should be soft enough for daily use. If you find it too abrasive, you may want to just use your hands every other day.

You probably shouldn't wash your private area with a loofah, as the area is delicate and sensitive. Plain water and soap would work for intimate area or use a specifically formulated intimate wash.

You should apply soap or body wash on your skin, and scrub with a loofah. Then rinse off, which should remove some of the dead skin cells.

No, because the skin on your face is very sensitive. It would cause damage.

Loofahs are more for body cleansing than anything. Your face is much more sensitive than the rest of your body, so it's probably not a good idea to use something that you've washed your feet with on your face. Try getting a face cleanser, or an exfoliate.

Most loofahs are made out of actual cucumbers or "luffa," the specific name for the type of cucumber. That's probably why there are seeds in some loofahs.

Yes and no. You can't eat the loofah sponge that you use for cleaning your skin, but you can cook and eat a young, immature luffa gourd.

No, because the dryer is too hot and will melt the natural fibers. You should allow it to air-dry in front of a fan or in a well-ventilated area instead.

Washcloths have to be replaced far less often and are, in general, less expensive. If you are looking to save money, go with the washcloth. They are also better for sensitive skin; however, they don't scrub dead skin as well.

The loofah is a really good item for removing dead skin, cleaning dirt and stains, and exfoliating your skin. I love mine with really warm, almost hot water and liquid dial body wash.

No this would damage your skin. Put warm water on the loofah to make it soft first.

About every other day. Just wash your face with face wash and use moisturizer on the days you are not exfoliating.

Only if you don't take care of it and keep it clean. Because of how porous it is, a loofah can trap, harbor, and breed bacteria. If you clean and sanitize it properly, however, you should not run into this problem.

Yes, you can cut your loofah in half. You can also cut the center stuff out and lay it flat. Then you have something resembling two to three sponges from one loofah, depending on the size. It's less messy to cut it while it's moist.

You really should not share it with others because it is not hygienic. Everyone should have their own loofah.

Use the smooth side, which is the outside of the original plant. It is the tighter weave. The inside is way too coarse.

Actually, it should soften almost right away. If it doesn't, try another.

Of course! Loofahs make your skin healthy and smooth. They also promote circulation in your body, and they are not gender-specific.

Of course! Loofahs are just for making your skin smoother, and they are basically a sponge or exfoliator suitable for use on your body.

For washing your body, usually loofah is the most common choice but you can also use a silicone exfoliating brush. A silicone exfoliating brush is the ideal alternative to a loofah. This multi-purpose scrubber is designed to repel bacteria from growing and is made from fast-drying material, so you don't have to worry about moisture and humidity.

Loofahs are mainly used to create foam for soap, they do not exfoliate. If you want to exfoliate your skin, try getting a body scrub. Use separately.