The Dangers of Dirty Makeup Brushes

Sharing beauty products and makeup brushes is something women do all the time, and while it may seem harmless it’s definitely not.

“Makeup brushes can cause viral and fungal infections,” explains dermatologist Dr Sejal Shah. “You never know what someone has or what bacteria is growing. I recommend never sharing makeup or brushes.”

In one terrifying case, 27-year-old Jo Gilchrist from Brisbane is now confined to a wheelchair after borrowing a makeup brush from her best friend.

READ MORE: Young mum left fighting for life after using friend's makeup brush

Getting ready to go out on Valentine’s Day, the young mother borrowed the brush to apply concealer to a pimple. She soon began to notice some pain.

“It started as a little ache in my back and I thought it was my bad posture, but it kept getting worse and worse,” Gilchrist told Daily Mail Australia.

She lost feeling in her legs and experienced numbness in her arms, along with horrific pain in her back.

After emergency surgery, she was told she had contracted community-associated MRSA, a dangerous, antibiotic-resistant staph infection that had spread to her spine.

The source of the contamination was traced back to the makeup brush.

GALLERY: Top 10 Beauty Resolutions

Gilchrist’s friend had a staph infection on her face that she wasn’t aware of at the time when they shared brushes.

“They told me at my bedside that I’d never walk again and I just felt numb and I had tears rolling down my cheeks,” Gilchrist said. “But I’m fighting this with all I’ve got and I’m starting to learn to walk again. Two weeks ago they said I might be able to walk for an hour or two a day—like grocery shopping, washing up, and hanging the washing out. I’m happy with that. I honestly didn’t even expect that.”

While the story is frightening, experts say the likelihood of this happening is very rare.

“Spinal paralysis due to staph is a one in a million thing,” explains Dr Shah. “I do think the most common infections are caused by staphylococcus (staph) and streptococcus (strep) bacteria. Keep in mind that staph aureus and strep are the most common causes of skin infections in general. However, not all staph is as serious MRSA which is an antibiotic-resistant form.”

GALLERY: Top 10 Beauty Tools You Can't Live Without

The more common reactions are skin rashes and outbreaks with “red, swollen, and tender skin with bumps, and with or without pus, blisters, or crusting.”

To avoid infection, Dr Shah has a few suggestions.

First, never share makeup products—and that extends to the makeup counter. While one-time brushes or cotton swabs at makeup stores are a good start, the brushes are applied between the product and skin countless times.

When it comes to sampling makeup, Dr Shah recommends only testing products like pump foundation that aren’t applied with a brush.

She also likes makeup apps that virtually apply colours to your face.

With your own products, Dr Shah suggests following the manufacturer’s guidelines and discarding makeup when they recommend.

Hanging onto makeup for years is never a good idea.

“If you use makeup regularly make sure you clean your makeup brushes every week,” Dr Shah suggests. “Soap and water should be fine.”

If you do get any sort of eye or skin infection, “Replace your products immediately. It’s not worth the risk.”