How To Stop “Maskne” In Its Tracks
Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a world of unprecedented changes in our world. From school closures and work-from-home to lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, changes in our society are happening all around us. One major change is wearing masks everywhere! This is the first time in modern history that a public health crisis has made it necessary to wear a mask for daily tasks.
What Is Maskne?
Maskne, otherwise known as mask acne, has been one concern for mask wearers throughout the pandemic. Maskne involves facial acne breakouts due to wearing a mask. This can be extremely frustrating for those already prone to acne, as wearing a mask can trigger additional breakouts. In this article, we’ll break down the root cause of maskne and what you can do to combat it.
What Causes Maskne?
Maske is typically forced in areas of friction, pressure, stretching, or rubbing from wearing a face mask. If you’ve noticed an increase in face acne breakouts, it might be caused by frequent mask usage. With so many known causes of acne, it can be hard to identify if your acne breakout is caused by wearing a mask. In some people, maskne can look different than traditional acne, depending on their skin type.
Maskne is usually seen in the areas covered by a mask, which would include specific areas such as the bridge of your nose, cheeks, or chin. Acne is caused by clogged pores blocked by makeup, oil, and swear. Wearing a mask when exercising, sweating, or in the heat for long periods can also worsen maskne.
You might be thinking- well, I have to wear a mask because my work or state has mandated it! However, there are some tips and tricks that can help you combat your maskne.
Prevention & Treatment Of Maskne
As with any medical concern, primary prevention is the best way to target maskne and stop it in its tracks.
Types Of Masks: Cloth masks must be washed daily to ensure dirty oils are not being reabsorbed by your face. For one-time use disposable masks, they should be disposed of after usage. For other types of masks, such as N95 masks, applying a silicone gel strip to sit under the pressure points of the mask can help prevent skin irritation. It is also possible to have a textile allergy, which is a reaction to certain types of natural or synthetic fibers, which can also be a cause of acne breakouts. If you have sensitive skin, try different kinds of masks available today and see which one seems to irritate your face the least.
Face Washing: Preventing acne breakouts starts with a good skincare regime. Make sure to wash your face twice daily, both in the morning and evening. Much like washing your mask, washing your face is critical to preventing maskne breakouts.
One unique tip is to search for a mask that already has silver woven into the mask. Silver has antibacterial properties, which make it a great lining to prevent bacterial overgrowth and acne breakouts.
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