RICHMOND, Va. -- Beards may be fashion forward, but at least one scientist says they should come with a warning.

New Mexico microbiologist John Golobic, of Quest Diagnostics, swabbed a number of beards and tested them for bacteria.

He says a surprising amount of them tested positive for fecal bacteria.

"Dirtier than a toilet" is how the scientist describes them.

He recommends lots of hand washing, thorough beard scrubbing, and avoid touching your face.