Bathing suit shopping typically goes something like this: You sift through a sea of styles—from daring bikinis to comfy one-pieces—searching for the perfect fit for your fabulous post-baby body. You might grab a few options, each one reflecting your current confidence level. Some fearless moms opt for tiny bikinis, while others might choose the safety of a supportive tankini or a tummy-control one-piece. And let’s be honest, that one-piece will likely stay on under a cover-up until you’re ready to jump into the water.
Once in the dressing room, you hang the selected suits—let’s say four or five of various cuts—on the hook. As you begin to undress, remember this crucial tip: never, and I mean never, try on a swimsuit without your underwear. Doing so is like rolling around in a fabric that numerous others have already worn. Gross, right?
It’s easy to assume that clothes with tags are clean and untouched, but experts suggest otherwise. Research has shown that many seemingly new garments can harbor all sorts of bacteria, including fecal and vaginal organisms. Microbiologist Dr. Alex Martinez conducted tests on supposedly unused clothing and found them alarmingly contaminated. “Some items were significantly tainted by various organisms, suggesting they were either tried on by many people or someone used them without proper hygiene,” he stated.
You might think, “But there’s a hygienic liner!” Well, according to sources like this article, those flimsy paper strips are mostly for show and do little to protect you. In fact, swimsuits and underwear often have the highest levels of bacteria. The more revealing the suit, the greater the likelihood that someone has tried it on without any underwear.
The potential risks? Well, you could expose yourself to infections like yeast infections, norovirus, or even the dreaded MRSA. Yes, these germs can linger on clothing, and swimsuits are notorious for being breeding grounds. While it’s “extremely unlikely” to catch herpes or gonorrhea this way, crabs are a whole different story. If you try on an infected bathing suit without proper coverage, you may just invite some unwanted guests into your life.
And just to ease your mind a bit, you won’t contract HIV from a swimsuit, according to Dr. Sarah Johnson, MD. But, that’s just one worry off your list amidst a host of others. Sales clerks often share horror stories—so do yourself a favor: keep your underwear on when you’re trying on bathing suits. Not only does this practice minimize your risk of infections, but it’s also just plain hygienic.
Once you’ve found the right suit, wash it thoroughly before wearing it, along with your hands and any other items that came into contact with the dressing room. You’ll thank yourself later.
So, let’s make a pact: from now on, always wear your underwear when trying on bathing suits. Your future self will be grateful!
Summary:
When trying on bathing suits, always keep your underwear on to avoid exposure to harmful bacteria and infections. Research shows that many supposedly new garments can harbor germs, particularly swimsuits. The hygienic liners offered are mostly ineffective, and the risks of infections are greater when trying on swimsuits without proper coverage. To stay safe and hygienic, make it a rule to wear underwear and wash your new swimsuit before wearing it.