Scientific research examines hygiene of facial hair

Scientific research does not fully support the long-standing perception that facial hair is inherently unhygienic. While studies have shown that customers in restaurants often perceive bearded servers as less clean, empirical data presents a more complex picture.

A foundational 1967 study compared bacterial levels on washed and unwashed faces, both with and without beards. The results indicated that unwashed, clean-shaven faces actually harbored more bacteria than unwashed bearded faces. According to John Tregoning, a professor of vaccine immunology at Imperial College London, a man who does not wash his face regularly might actually benefit from having a beard, whereas those who wash regularly may find clean-shaven faces to be slightly cleaner.

In medical settings, research regarding surgeons and healthcare workers has yielded mixed results. While some studies suggest beards might retain bacteria, others find little difference. Experts suggest that if masks are worn correctly, facial hair does not pose a significant hygiene risk, noting that bacteria are present on all surfaces.