Ever since the announcement that all Singaporeans have to wear a face mask before leaving the house – the side effects of wearing one for long periods of time is starting to become more evident.
Worldwide, the implications of wearing a face mask for extended periods of time has started to surface on social media – with mostly front-liners bearing the brunt of it all.
While wearing a mask in addition to regularly washing our hands and practicing safe social distancing are the best ways to prevent the spread of the virus – there is a need to address the rising skin concerns that are popping up on the radar.
Here are 5 of the most common skin issues that are associated with wearing a face mask:
1. Acne breakouts
Also known as acne mechanica or “maskne” – this is a form of acne that is caused by excessive heat, pressure, friction, and rubbing from wearing a mask around all day.
The constant rubbing causes micro-tears on the skin, allowing easier entry for bacteria and dirt to clog up our pores – ultimately leading to inflammation that kickstarts a breakout. This is why you might be noticing more pimples surfacing on areas such as your nose, cheeks, and chin.
The added stress of dealing with the virus can also trigger the overproduction of cortisol which leads to excess sebum production – allowing the vicious cycle to continue unless something is done.
2. Dry, red, itchy (without rashes) and cracked skin
Excess heat and friction underneath our mask can also cause dry and irritated skin –posing a variety of problems as it compromises our skin’s natural protective barrier.
Especially when we are stuck at home – this makes us more likely to pick and scratch at our skin, causing it to break down even further.
3. An itchy rash or hives
A rash is different from an itch as it is often the result of something known as irritant contact dermatitis – an allergic reaction that occurs due to the skin being exposed to formaldehyde, metal, rubber, or glue materials found in our face masks.
The chemicals, dyes, and detergents used to wash reusable masks can also cause irritation and rashes.
4. Sores, bruises, and pressure ulcers
A study published by the Journal of Wound Care reviewed the amount of pressure damage caused by a range of medical devices – including face masks1. Given that masks need to be tightened around the ears, nose, and cheeks – this often leads to sores, bruises, and pressure ulcers that are both painful and uncomfortable.
5. Hyperpigmentation
Dry and itchy skin also results in pigmentation as a result of the repetitive rubbing that causes our skin to lose its moisture; resulting in an uneven skin tone and texture.
If you had a recent breakout and are recovering from a dry, itchy rash – picking at your skin can also result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and scarring.
Why do they happen?
These skin issues can be boiled down to two things: sweating and friction.
Our skin is the most important barrier that protects us from harmful bacteria and stressors that we encounter in our day-to-day lives – and because we aren’t yet familiar with wearing a face mask and taking care of the skin underneath – this can cause significant skin damage that makes it even more reactive to even the smallest changes in our environment.
Breathing into a mask also creates a hot and moist environment that leads to the build-up of sweat, oil, and bacteria – and add on the fact that face masks are occlusive by nature and it is a recipe for skin disaster!
“Occlusive” is a double-edged sword.
The medical definition for occlusive is to obstruct or prevent the passage of substances such as moisture and in the case of face masks – viruses.
While masks need to be occlusive in order to be effective, this can also cause our skin to get clogged up if we do not know how to properly wear and maintain its integrity.
In addition, many of the makeup and products that we use on a daily basis such as moisturizers and sunscreen can be occlusive as well. While it can help to provide some form of protective barrier between our skin and the mask, the ingredients found in these products can easily get trapped inside our mask and contaminate it.
Learn how to care for your skin underneath a face mask.
The ideal solution to any skin issue is prevention itself – and the best way to do so is to focus on a skincare routine that keeps your skin clean, balanced, and hydrated.
Due to the potential for significant skin damage when wearing a face mask, the most efficient and cost-effective way to minimize the side effects is to moisturize. The best ingredients include ceramide, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid – which has been shown to restore skin’s elasticity and hydration levels2.
Applying a lightweight moisturizer before putting on a mask can also act as an additional protective barrier and prevent chafing. In addition, pick out products that contain antioxidants such as vitamin C and niacinamide that help to heal and rejuvenate your skin.
Ideally, you should be using a mild and gentle exfoliator 2 – 3 times a week to get rid of any dead skin cells and support the absorption of your moisturizer.
Make sure you are also drinking lots of water, eating a well-balanced diet, getting in some exercise (even at home), having enough sleep, and managing stress levels to maximize the benefits of your skincare routine!
Learning how to handle and care for your face mask is just as important.
First things first: always make sure you wash your hands and face before putting on and taking off your mask.
If you know that you are going to be wearing a mask for long periods of time, consider relieving the pressure from the mask every two hours whenever safely possible – cleaning your face and washing your hands before putting it back on.
It can also help to slip in another filter in-between your face and the mask or apply a barrier cream as added protection.
When it comes to makeup, focus on what’s above eye level and stick to lighter formulations that are oil-free and non-comedogenic. Makeup that is worn under a mask can also damage the fabric in reusable masks and lead to decreased air filtration – anytime that you wear makeup with a face mask – consider it contaminated and put it in the wash immediately.
For itchy rashes, a topical prescription steroid cream may be required in addition to a suitable moisturiser, and this should be applied twice a day after cleansing your skin to relieve symptoms. For problems like hives caused by an allergic reaction, you might want to consider oral anti-histamines and seek help from a skin dermatologist.
If you aren’t sure whether or not you are allergic or sensitive to any ingredients found in your mask – it is best to wear one made from cotton as it is much more comfortable and less irritating on the skin.
Key Takeaways
The good news is, many of these skin issues can be resolved.
Our skin is extremely powerful and will often end up rebalancing and healing itself overtime – but we shouldn’t take it for granted by slacking on our self-care routine.
While most of these skin issues will eventually go away on its own when dealt with promptly – working with an experienced dermatologist can help support you during this tough period and also deal with harder-to-solve problems like scarring and pigmentation.
At Angeline Yong Dermatology, we help our patients feel beautiful in their skin by utilizing the most holistic and advanced treatments in the market today. Prioritizing each individual’s needs and goals, Dr. Angeline Yong is a dermatologist specialist with over 15 years of experience under her belt and is adept at treating a variety of skin conditions including acne scars, hair disorders, and skin cancers.Following a combination approach that synergizes a variety of treatments such as the powerful pico laser, facials, LED therapy and more, Dr Angeline has also developed the bespoke AYD skincare range that is free from parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, and mineral oil that is made up of the highest quality, medical-grade ingredients!
Early treatment always provides better results – so contact us to learn more about our treatments today!
References:
1. Gefen, A., Alves, P., Ciprandi, G., Coyer, F., Milne, C. T., Ousey, K., Ohura, N., Waters, N., Worsley, P., Black, J., Barakat-Johnson, M., Beeckman, D., Fletcher, J., Kirkland-Kyhn, H., Lahmann, N. A., Moore, Z., Payan, Y., & Schlüer, A. B. (2020). Device-related pressure ulcers: SECURE prevention. Journal of Wound Care, 29(Sup2b), S1-S52.
2. Pavicic T, Gauglitz GG, Lersch P, et al. Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment. J Drugs Dermatol. 2011;10(9):990‐