A gentleman's beard could possibly be holding bacteria that are also found on gentleman's toilet.

This conclusion is based on a survey done by a brave news team from New Mexico TV station KOAT-TV in Albuquerque after swabbing a handful of bearded volunteers for an examination about facial hair's cleanliness. The team has solicited an evaluation of the swabbed samples from John Golobic, a Quest Diagnostics microbiologist. Several of the bacteria acquired are said to be comparable to bacteria found on potties in toilets.

"These are the kind of things you'd find in feces," Golobic told the TV station while holding up a brown-stained petri dish. The microbiologist that analyzed the handful of samples said that he was surprised, and although the bacteria are unlikely to cause illness, he mentioned that the uncleanliness is kind of disturbing.

Quest officials and the local news reporter didn't immediately respond to requests for the information when others questioned the sampling size of bearded men and the percentage of the beard that turned out to be as dirty as poop.

Based on the view of some experts, this survey is hardly scientific as no actual control group was established, and it was not indicated as well what bacteria found in fecal matter are the same ones that are found on the few samples of beard. Scientists have actually made a somewhat related scientific research last year.

Based on that study [pdf] at a medical school and two hospitals published in the Journal of Hospital Infection, a comparison of facial bacterial colonization rates was conducted among 408 male healthcare workers with and without facial hair. The results indicated that there is no significant difference on the colonization rate between the two groups but certain bacteria species were more dominant in workers without facial hair.

The study also mentioned that having a beard reduced the probability of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus to exist on the skin. It also emphasized the significance of wearing facial masks for sterile procedures, regardless of your facial hair situation.

The truth agreed upon by experts is regardless if you are a beard lover, or if you are afraid to have fecal bacteria on your face, frequent hand washing and beard rinsing, will keep the bacteria away and make the beard clean and disinfected.

"Try to keep your hands away from your face as much as possible," Golobic added.

Photo: Bart Everson | Flickr