You don’t necessarily have to be a healthcare or frontline worker to wear protective gears and face- masks for hours daily and notice your skin reacting to it. Anyone who has been wearing masks daily for a few hours must be aware of the irritation it causes, specifically in hot, humid weather.
The unfortunate reaction of your skin to the face masks you have been wearing, which have now become an accessory and essential part of everyone’s attire, is known as ‘Maskne’ – a trending term for mask acne. Mask acne can be anything, from acne and pimples around your nose, jawline, cheeks, to redness or irritation around that area.
All You Need to Know About Maskne
Maskne, or skin breakouts after wearing masks for a few hours, occur due to clogging of pores caused by skin oils, sweat, yeast and bacteria trapped under the skin, said Elizabeth Mullans, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Houston, Texas, quotes The New York Times. She further went on to say that face masks cause irritation by rubbing against the skin constantly; this damages the protective barrier of the skin.
Source: Indian Express
Acne can also occur if the moisture is trapped inside and stays trapped for longer periods of time. This kind of acne is known as acne mechanica; this is basically any kind of skin issue caused due to friction, pressure, rubbing, stretching or squeezing. This kind of acne is apparently different than hormonal acne that occurs during the time of periods, or after consumption of high caffeine, oily food items. This specifically occurs in the area where the mask sits against the skin.
Don’t worry though, because skin experts and dermatologists all over the world have discussed the issue and come up with preventative measures against ‘Maskne’.
How to Prevent Mask Acne?
Here are 5 simple and easy steps to follow in your daily routine and you can prevent Maskne from occurring. The key is to stay consistent!
1. Choose Your Mask Carefully
Dermatologists have suggested using 100% cotton masks, since it gives the skin some room to breath and prevents germs and bacteria from getting in. Now it’s up to you when it comes to deciding the mask material and the level of protection it gives you.
2. Make Sure the Mask Stays Clean
No matter what material mask you decide to wear, you must make sure it stays clean. As the temperature and humidity soars, you must wash them i.e. if you’re using cotton masks; or dispose them off and wear a fresh one every day, if they are surgical masks.
“You need to treat it like underwear and wash it frequently,” said Dr. Candrice Heath, an assistant professor of dermatology at Temple University. “You don’t want all of that oil and sweat and dirt to sit there and then you reapply it to your face constantly.”
3. Streamline Your Skin Care Routine
Adopt the most basic and simple skin scare routine. Just mildly cleanse your face with non-soap cleanser and use a gentle, fragrance-free, paraben -free moisturizer.
4. Go Easy on The Makeup
Use this as an excuse to let your skin breathe. Apply little to no makeup to avoid any kind of skin irritation. The lighter the makeup, the better your skin feels.
5. Exfoliate Twice a Week
Invest in a nice, gentle scrub and make sure to get rid of the dead skin cells accumulating on your face. Scrub twice a week to prevent maskne.
Have you experienced Maskne yet? What do you think of this article? Let us know in the comments below.
Stay tuned for more informative articles and updates.