How to Protect the Skin Under Your Mask 😷
It’s clear that COVID-19 is here for the foreseeable future. By now, we all understand we must wear the mask to prevent the spread of the virus and to protect others from us. We wear our masks when we go out in public and at work. Now we need to understand how to care for our skin. We’ve already had many calls about skin problems as a direct result from prolonged exposure to the mask.
Masks can cause breakouts. Wearing the mask for extended amounts of time can cause breakouts on the chin, the area around the mouth and cheeks or wherever the mask touches the skin.
Wearing the mask for a long time increases the humidity and temperature because of the decrease of air circulation. This makes a great place for bacteria to flourish. Sweat, makeup and spit adhere to the mask which touches our skin. Furthermore, single use disposable masks are made of synthetic material which can cause dermatitis.
Wear the mask properly! It needs to cover the nose and mouth. Though it might seem more comfortable to leave the nose out it makes the entire point of using a mask pointless. So please wear it correctly.
Masks can be hard to come by and difficult to use. Try not to reuse masks if it is wet or dirty. Single use, disposable masks can be expensive and hard to purchase. If you are using these make sure you have a good supply or consider using fabric ones as they are easier to wash and keep clean.
Do not microwave your mask. It will break down the chemical compounds and destroy the filter.
Wear less makeup if you can. Not only does it rub off on the mask but all that extra warmth and humidity mixed with makeup can be an added insult to an already sensitive situation.
Definitely use sunscreen on the face, just go easy and use a little less on the lower face under the mask. The mask can provide a bit of protection.
Cleanse your skin properly. Skin gets tired from wearing the mask all day. It's important to wash away all bacteria, makeup, sunscreen and spit that gets trapped on the skin.
Use gentle cleansers and consider avoiding harsh cleansers.
Use Acne Patches on the individual breakouts. This will help spare already taxed skin. Though you might be tempted to go all in on the acne go easy and call us for help.
Be careful with chemical and physical exfoliants. We want to be careful NOT to sensitize the skin.
Focus on hydrating moisturizers. This will help protect your skin.
Don’t forget your hands! Hand sanitizer is high in alcohol and will dry the skin so be sure to use hand cream after you sanitize.