MASKNE

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Masks provide very little ventilation whether you are wearing an N95, handmade, medical grade, or multiples. As one wears their mask whether for a short shopping trip or for a prolonged period of time, one’s natural bacteria is being breathed back onto the face, creating a warm, humid environment for it to flourish. This not only leads to acne but can cause staph infections, sties, and heightening of preexisting conditions like rosacea. Areas around the mouth or eyes can also develop perioral/periocular dermatitis, which is a distinct eruption of papules around the mouth or eyes. This tends to look more like a rash and can be confused with contact dermatitis.

The mask’s material is also something to consider in the prevention and treatment of maskne. Cotton is a more breathable fabric and can help to reduce any irritation from wearing the mask. If you are required by your place of employment to wear a disposable or N95 mask, applying a moisturizer can help lessen the friction caused by long-term wear.

Cleaning the masks regularly is also advised. Washing the cotton masks in warm water daily is suggested to remove all residual bacteria and dirt. If you have a disposable mask that you have been wearing multiple days, letting it air out in between wears is suggested. One may also be able to microwave the mask if there are no metal parts or flammable material.

In one’s younger years, it can be assumed that a fair amount of people thought that hitting acne hard with everything we had was the best course of action to remove the unsightly lesions fast. This would not be the case with this type of acne mechanica. Slow, steady, and gentle wins the race for unblemished skin. One must get down to the basics of skin care to actually take care of their skin and not just treat it.

Maskne is best managed by using the minimum number of products on the face. Going back to a gentle, unfragranced cleanser is suggested to minimize irritation from active ingredients or exfoliants. One can still use chemical exfoliants but in tempered amounts and less frequently. We want to keep the natural skin barrier intact so it may serve its function as a barrier to the mask’s friction.

Dermatologists are suggesting the daily usage of a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, toner, and moisturizer to aid in repairing the skin’s barrier and clearing away any regular debris. If one has cropping of papules or pustules along the mask line, a benzoyl peroxide wash can be used once a day to help dry the blemishes and remove remaining bacteria. No 10% spot treatments or aggressive washes; try shooting for a 2.5% or lower of the active ingredient to avoid irritation. Moisturizer also plays a large role. Even if you have oily or actinic skin, a moisturizer helps keep a balance as well as provide a “glide” for the mask. Anti-aging products are hard during this time because they tend to cause a higher cell turnover that can lead to irritation and skin barrier disruption. Applying those products at night and potentially rotating days, so more than one type of product is not being used at the same time.

The mask’s material is also something to consider in the prevention and treatment of maskne. Cotton is a more breathable fabric and can help to reduce any irritation from wearing the mask. If you are required by your place of employment to wear a disposable or N95 mask, applying a moisturizer can help lessen the friction caused by long-term wear.

Cleaning the masks regularly is also advised. Washing the cotton masks in warm water daily is suggested to remove all residual bacteria and dirt. If you have a disposable mask that you have been wearing multiple days, letting it air out in between wears is suggested. One may also be able to microwave the mask if there are no metal parts or flammable material.

In one’s younger years, it can be assumed that a fair amount of people thought that hitting acne hard with everything we had was the best course of action to remove the unsightly lesions fast. This would not be the case

If a client has contact dermatitis, it will lean more towards a rash-like appearance. This irritation in relation to mask-wearing is found more on the bridge of the nose, cheekbones, and the tip of the nose. This should not be treated with a benzoyl peroxide wash but instead with hydrocortisone cream to alleviate itching and redness. However, hydrocortisone cream, even in its lowest percentage, can cause sensitivity and thinning of the skin, which could exacerbate the condition. This maskne affliction is best treated by minimal product, keeping the masks clean, and refraining from touching one’s face.

Where does makeup have a place in wearing a mask out? Sadly, it doesn’t have much of one. We should encourage our clients to go without makeup as often as possible. Nobody is going to appreciate a full-face contour when they can only see your eyes. Now is the time to invest in a good BB or CC cream, eyebrow pencil, and mascara. Staying light-handed with the makeup will also help prevent clogging pores any further. If one has to be out for a function where masks can be removed safely, and distance maintained, a full face of makeup won’t hurt, but be sure to cleanse the face gently and thoroughly as soon as possible. Cutting back on time in the mask is crucial, so minimizing time in areas where it is mandatory is not only good for your skin but also for your health.

While maskne may be a new term, it is not a new condition. Hands-off is the best approach as well as going back to the basics with our skin care routine and makeup. The skin is already irritated, so soothing, repairing, and protecting is the primary goal when treating maskne.

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