Should I toss out my lipstick after suffering a cold?

Find out if you should really toss your lipstick out after a cold.

By: Tania Tarafdar | | Updated: December 28, 2016 7:34 pm

I just battled a nasty cold last week, and as soon as I began to feel better, I tossed out my lipstick and lip gloss that I was using, fearing that if I continued, it could reinfect me over and over again. But can a lipstick harbour a virus or germs and make me ill? Also Read - Steam therapy: It can offer you more health benefits than you think

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It is okay if you do not toss your lipstick if you have just suffered a cold because the chances that you will get reinfected by cold germs are low. That is because the virus dies quickly and they cannot infect you again because your body builds antibodies against the virus. However, the respiratory virus can survive on a surface for varying amounts of time depending on the environmental conditions and the type of virus. If you have suffered anything more than a cold like a strep throat, flu, mono or a cold sore it will be wise to throw away your lipstick as the bacteria may be able to survive longer and you may thus risk infection.

So, to ensure that you do not fall sick again,

It is best that you use disposable makeup applicators.
Also, make sure that you always wash your hands and keep your makeup brushes clean. Did you know that your old cosmetics can also harm you?
And if you belong to that crazy bunch of friends who share their lipstick and cosmetics, you need to stop doing that right now. This is because sharing lipsticks might increase your risk of suffering from viral infections and skin conditions like warts and molluscum. But if you still want to, blot it on a tissue paper before use.
Also, remember not to share any of your cosmetic products if you suffer from a respiratory infection, as this will help limit the transmission of the respiratory virus. These shocking facts about your lipstick might just keep you off them.

Read this in Hindi. Marathi

Image source: Getty Images

Published : November 14, 2016 4:15 pm | Updated:December 28, 2016 7:34 pm

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