New Swimsuits Are Cesspools of Gross Germs

And if you think shopping at, say, Bergdorf’s will decrease the possibility that you come in contact with these germs, think again. Tierno says every store’s swimsuits, underwear and intimates in general have the cooties. But there is one trick.

What did seem to matter, according to Tierno, was the skimpiness of the swimsuit. Though women are often advised to leave on underwear for added protection, many removed it so they could see how their new suit would actually fit. And the more revealing the swimwear, the more likely a woman is to remove her underwear before slipping it on. Some of the women in Tierno’s research, perhaps bolstered by a false confidence in the liner’s ability, even removed it. “Not everyone does that, but some women may not be aware that the strip is not as protective as they think,” he said. “Sometimes they put them on backward, with the sticky side down. Other people may just take it off altogether, and [then] the garment is riddled with organisms.”

Guys, my skin is trying to run away from my body in disgust.

Fortunately, most of us humans have Hulk-strength immune systems so we can usually fight off whatever may be lurking on swimsuits without falling ill. But still, keep your undies on when sampling swimwear — and wash before you wear.