Restrictions are lifting a little and face masks are only required at certain times now. However, we still have to take care of the skin underneath!
The pressure, the friction, the itchy material and the skin oils that get concentrated around the seal of the face mask and will irritate and inflame even not–so–sensitive skin, causing rashes, cut and cracked skin, clogged and infected pores, pimples and other skin conditions. There’s a new term being used for it: “maskne”.
So how to avoid mask acne so that we all don’t have permanent scarring years from now?
Always start with clean hands before treating your face. When washing, be gentle! Do not rub hard; the skin on your face is not like cleaning the sink! You can injure that area around the mask line if you’re too rough. Moisturize to keep the skin hydrated and supple.
Make sure that your face is dry before putting the mask on because that wet material on damp skin can irritate.
Now that warm weather is here again, try to avoid letting sweat sit on your face. The natural salt and oils can clog the pores and lead to breakouts in areas touched by the material. Dab gently with a clean cloth or blotting papers, held by clean fingers.
Still experiencing reactions? Maybe it’s the material. Change to a different type of mask, or change the soap that you use to wash cloth masks. Use a gentle soap.
None of the suggestions provide improvement or relief? Time to see your dermatologist! Many issues can be diagnosed via video examination, but don’t be afraid to see your doctor in person!
We’re going to be wearing masks off and on for a while; best thing to do is have a good skincare and maskcare routine!
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