One of the biggest problems caused by masks, especially by the civilian ones, is dermatological and it is called maskne.
According to the latest article published on the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, surgical masks can provoke acne, folliculitis and, in general, rashes.
Sensitive or non-sensitive skin, young or older skin, this side effect is becoming more and more common, in fact, the world “maskne” has been blended mask + acne.
Maskne: how to recognize it
The more common symptoms are:
- rashes
- irritation
- skin redness
The occurrence of one or more of these symptoms following prolonged use of the mask is an alarm bell: the mask you’re wearing, doesn’t respect the needs of your skin!
Acne caused by mask: root causes
- Abrasive fabrics: the daily use of the mask implies a cost that very often we try to reduce by opting for cheaper products. The skin knows and perceives it: in order to reduce costs, many producers tend to use poor quality materials. These products, in constant contact with the skin, lead to considerable abrasion that affects both sensitive and resistant skins.
- prolonged use of the same mask: the general rule for surgical mask is to replace it every 4 hours, in order to guarantee its best functionality. A prolonged use of the same mask, reduces its effectiveness and fosters the proliferation of bacteria.
- colored fabrics: civilian masks are undeniably more beautiful. Nowadays, the market offers a variety of patterns and colors that satisfy every taste. However, we often tend to forget an important issue: the mask is not an accessory. The pandemic we are fighting against requires protection. The cotton masks do not have any kind of filtering capacity and they do not guarantee the protection of the wearer or the people around us. Furthermore, many of the fabrics are processed with dyes that come into direct contact with the face skin.
How to avoid maskne
- choose certified medical devices: it is highly recommended to verify the certifications of the surgical masks. The Ministry of Health website provides an updated and public database; you just need to enter the VAT number or the name of the DM in order to check the product.
- use the mask appropriately: changing the surgical mask regularly not only guarantees the filtering capacity but also reduces the bacterial load, one of the main causes of maskne.
- opt for surgical mask: also called “altruist”, the surgical mask protects towards the outside. This means that the person who wears it doesn’t contaminate the people around. If type II, this medical device has a BFE (bacterial filtration capacity) >98%.
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