Mask Acne

Ever since corona hit us, A face mask has become a part of our body. We can afford to leave our phones back home, but stepping out without a mask? Nah not an option!!!

Though we know a mask protects us from a life-taking virus but in return, it does give us a few tiny little zits here and there on our “mask-covered” beautiful faces. And to give it a name we have combined the two words, “mask” and “acne” and made it “Maskne”. There are a few lucky people out there who don’t get maskne and my only question to them would be, “how does it feel to be god’s favorite?!”. Jokes aside, let’s get to know the meaning, causes, and ways to prevent maskne.

What is Maskne and its Causes?

Maskne- The name in itself is self-explanatory, acne or breakouts caused by wearing a mask.

The Science behind maskne says that when you breathe or talk, your mask tends to trap in a lot of hot air. Besides being sweaty and annoying, this air creates a warm, humid environment, and an ideal setting for yeast, bacteria, and other flora to grow.

Doctors say that due to all the pressure, friction, rubbing, squeezing, stretching and bacterial imbalances from your mask, it can promote chafing and irritation, along with acne. This is when fine pimples appear around the nose and mouth area.

This type of acne is called acne mechanica, which includes any skin issues that are caused due to pressure, friction, rubbing, squeezing, or stretching. It’s different from other kinds of acne because it occurs only in areas where the mask sits against the skin, In healthy skin, there are normal amounts of bacteria and yeast that live there, but when pores become clogged because of excess sweat and moisture from the mask, these organisms overgrow, leading to pimples or acne cysts, this Maskne.

Tips to Prevent Maskne

Maskne is something we cannot control, we’ll have to live with our masks on, at least for now. But instead of dreading it, we can look for ways to prevent it.

There are several ways to prevent maskne symptoms. Let’s take a closer look at each step.

1. Follow a Skin Care Routine

Our skin always tends to get sweaty under the mask irrespective of which weather it is. In such a case a gentle skincare routine can be followed to prevent skin irritation. Wash your face regularly, once in the morning, once at night, and always after sweating or wearing a mask. When washing your face, use lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser that can help remove excess oil, sweat, and bacteria. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel, avoid rubbing your skin as it may cause irritation, and at the end apply a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.

2. Remove your mask every 4 hours

Take a 15-minutes mask break every 4 hours. Frontline health care workers of the coronavirus pandemic have found that this helps save their skin. Of course, only remove your mask when it’s safe and you’re in a secluded place to do so, and only after washing your hands.

3. Minimum use of Makeup

It is said that under normal masks, it is fine to wear a light layer of makeup but if you are wearing an N-95 mask that will be recycled, makeup stains sometimes limit the ability to reuse it or fully clean it. In this case, you should avoid wearing makeup or wear the least amount of makeup so that it doesn’t get transferred to the mask.

4. Apply Lotions or Sunscreens

A thick layer of moisturizer or even sunscreen for a person with a sensitive skin type, and a light layer of the same for a person with an oily skin type can help your skin by serving as a barrier against any friction or irritation caused by the mask.

5. Change your Mask Frequently

Changing your mask frequently can help reduce skin irritation, especially after sweating or exercising. After each use, wash your masks with a fragrance-free detergent and a disinfectant, rinse them twice, and put them in a dryer. Not only does washing your masks help make them more endurable to wear, but this process is also very important for infection control

6. Choose the Right Mask

To avoid irritation and skin issues, choose your mask size and its quality wisely. Try to wear a face mask that fits well but is not too tight, has two or more layers of fabric, and is made of natural or soft fabric (like cotton).

The Bottom Line…

Sure wearing a mask can be aggravating but nobody has the choice to ditch it. But guess what? You do have the choice to call your salon home to take care of your skin. You just have to click here and leave the rest up to our beauty professionals.

Also read about the Difference between a Facial and a Cleanup.