I used another girl's lip pencil sharpener for my lip pencil. Can I get any diseases from doing that?
- Rania*

Yes. The sharpener could have germs on it that are left over from when your friend used the pencil on her mouth. These germs could spread to you when you share her sharpener.

Infections are caused by germs (funguses, bacteria, or viruses) that can spread when they come into contact with the skin. So when you and your friend share things that touch the mouth or go near the mouth, you can make each other sick without realizing it.

The same concept applies to other things, like eyeliner, mascara, lip pencils, lip gloss, lip moisturizer, or toothbrushes. Because you don't want to share anything that touches your mouth or face, it's worth heading to the drugstore to buy your own lip pencil sharpener.

Reviewed by: Julia Brown Lancaster, BSN, RN, CAPA
Date reviewed: January 2012

*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.