Doctor’s warning as Michael Douglas admits his stubble gave co-star Sharon Stone rash following intimate scenes
Michael Douglas has made a rather awkward confession about filming intimate scenes with Sharon Stone, revealing that his facial hair left his co-star with a painful rash.
The 82-year-old Hollywood legend starred alongside Stone, now 68, in the 1992 thriller Basic Instinct, which became one of the most talked-about films of the decade.
While the movie is perhaps best remembered for Stone's infamous interrogation scene, it turns out there was another rather uncomfortable moment happening behind the scenes.
In his newly released memoir, One Helluva Ride, Douglas recalled how filming one particularly steamy sequence took five days, during which his stubble caused irritation to Stone's skin.
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According to Page Six, the actress was left with a rash on her upper thighs and eventually asked Douglas to 'go easy' on her.
Despite how convincing their on-screen chemistry appeared, Douglas also clarified that the pair weren't actually intimate during filming.
The actor, who played detective Nick Curran opposite Stone's mysterious crime novelist Catherine Tramell, explained that their scenes were carefully choreographed to create the erotic illusion.
However, his revelation has brought attention to a warning from a health expert about the potential risks associated with facial hair.
And apparently, it's not just scratchy stubble people need to be mindful of.
Expert issues warning about kissing bearded men
Consultant trichologist Carol Walker, from the Birmingham Trichology Centre, previously warned that facial hair can trap bacteria, dirt and other substances.
Speaking to the MailOnline, she explained why beards can become particularly unhygienic when they're not washed regularly.
"Beards harbour more germs because facial hair is courser than other hair, so traps dirt and germs more easily," she said.
"If their hands are dirty, they transfer dirt from their hands on to their face and mouth."
According to Walker, facial hair can collect everything from food particles to bacteria transferred from someone's hands.
The warmth and moisture around the face can also create conditions in which certain bacteria multiply.
And while that might sound pretty unpleasant, the expert pointed out that many of these microorganisms are also naturally found on human skin.
The concern is therefore less about having a beard in the first place and more about keeping it clean.
Walker also highlighted how food can become trapped in facial hair, particularly dairy products.
"If someone’s eating dairy products it can get stuck in their beard and become a bit rancid," she warned.
Why can stubble cause a rash?
Even a freshly washed beard can cause irritation, particularly during prolonged kissing or intimate contact.
Short, coarse facial hairs can rub against delicate skin, causing friction that may result in redness, soreness and inflammation.
This is sometimes referred to as 'beard burn', and it can occur even when the person with facial hair has excellent hygiene.
Repeated rubbing can also disrupt the skin's protective barrier, potentially making it more vulnerable to irritation or infection.
However, a friction rash isn't necessarily a sign of bacterial contamination, and Douglas hasn't suggested that Stone's reaction was caused by poor hygiene.
For anyone experiencing similar irritation, avoiding further friction and using a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser may help the skin recover.
Keeping facial hair clean and using products that soften coarse hairs can also reduce discomfort.
If a rash becomes increasingly painful, spreads or shows signs of infection, it's best to seek medical advice.
As for Douglas, his revelation offers a rather unexpected glimpse into what really went on behind the scenes of one of Hollywood's most provocative films.
It seems those steamy sequences weren't quite as glamorous as they looked on screen.
Topics: Health, Women's Health, Sex and Relationships, Celebrity
Jen Thomas