FluShields Discovers 'Maskne' As A Serious Skin Problem Caused By Wearing a Face Mask.

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A lot has improved over the past few months, including the daily use of face masks. Wearing a face mask become mandatory to some states, and becomes a trend to the younger generation. Various types of face masks were already seen in the public shops and some of them were fashionable and designed for younger people who want to be on the trend. But, you might realize something abnormal in your skin if you didn't wear your face mask properly. If you wear a face mask regularly, you might have found that your skin responds adversely to this new 2020 accessory.

Have you ever heard of the new skin problem that people also encountered during this time? Well, due to the fact that this was caused by wearing a face mask, people called it 'Maskne' acne which was caused by the facemask.
This form of acne is differentiated from blemishes caused by hormones or genetic disorders such as cystic acne. Especially prominent on the bridge of your nose, your cheeks, and your lips, maskne is induced by an external influence – a mask that obstructs the skin and induces unnecessary pressure, heat, and discomfort, which contributes to pain, inflammation, and pimples.

The scientific name for maskne is "acne mechanica" which is the consequence of the mechanical tension of the cloth against the skin. It's not new — sportspeople with helmets and chin guards are indeed very familiar with such breakouts.

As the name implies, maskne is a form of breakout that results from wearing a face mask. "Maskne is acne produced in areas induced by scratching, heat, drying, rubbing or occlusion," Nazanin Saedi, MD, a dermatologist at Thomas Jefferson University, states to Health. "You can see that in the places protected by the mask, as well as in the regions where the mask and the face shields contact the skin.

Arizonans may experience 'maskne' more intensely than people in other parts of the country, too, because of extreme heat, extra sweat, and the need for a daily sunblock.

Good news: You can actually protect yourself as much as possible by wearing an N95 respirator mask:  Get your N95 respirator masks for the whole family today. 

Given that more and more people become anxious about how to get rid of or prevent maskne, they all find ways to make it treated. So in this blog, you can learn the ten ways to prevent having break-outs (maskne) from wearing face masks.

Try wearing a silk mask
When we encounter hot weather, it would be much more important to find a mask fabric that is breathable, moisturizing, which will not cause too much harm to the skin's defensive barrier. One of the main causes people that feel skin discomfort is because their mask is not the best kind of fabric for their skin type. Dr. Mathew Avram, director of the Massachusetts General Hospital's Laser and Cosmetic Center for Dermatology, says that if you have acne-prone skin or sensitive skin, silk will be your best option because it glides more easily across your face. So, in choosing the right face mask for your skin, you might consider the type of fabric or material that your face mask has. 

Switch to a gentler cleanser
Dr. Abigail Waldman, clinical director of the Mohs Dermatologic Surgery Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital, adds the other reason that you may experience breakouts or skin irritants, other than that the mask is irritating, it also blocks the follicles of the skin and traps dirt and oil. It might also be a good idea that you wash your face after wearing a mask for a whole day to ensure that breakouts might not occur.

Don’t change your skincare routine
I understand it could be enticing to try new creams, soaps, or toners with all this spare time on your hands. You might have seen a new TV commercial about a new cleanser, facial cream, or even cosmetics, but it might not be the best time to change your products. Stick to things you know that you're skin won't have a reaction to. You don't want to fall into a trap where you don't realize if the mask is causing your skin problems or if your skincare regimen is causing your skin problems. Leave things easy and leave things the same for the time being. You might have plenty of time trying different products once the pandemic ended. So, in the meantime, stick to the products that your face is comfortable and familiar with. Besides, once you are wearing a face mask outside, no one will clearly see your face since the only visible part is your upper face, specifically, the forehead, the eyes, and the upper part of your nose bridge.

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Try non-comedogenic moisturiser
You've probably seen the word non-comedogenic on some lines of skincare before. This means that your pores will not be clogged by the product. If you are already acne-prone, or even if you are not, it might be a good idea to start using a non-comedogenic moisturiser. You need the products to be kept to a minimum. In order to know your skin type, you might consult your trusted dermatologist, and you can even ask some recommendations on which products suit your skin, so you might not experience any skin problems in the future.

Don't use petroleum protection
Many of us may want a relaxing heavy cream or petroleum jelly to rub our faces where our mask rubs — but that's a mistake, particularly for someone who wants to wear protective gear, said board-certified dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center. "Petroleum products and all of these things will potentially conflict with the quality of the mask and the seal," he said. So, before using a skincare product, you might need to ask advice from professionals for a better reference. 

Stronger forms of treatment might be needed
When you tend to encounter breakouts around the jawline or across the nose and lips, dermatologists recommend that you seek out counter-products such as adapalene gel or other retinoids and/or azelaic acid. Retinoids increase cell turnover and minimize the build-up of dead skin cells, while azelaic acid has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to clear the acne.

Avoid too much makeup
You probably don't wear a lot of makeup to start with, but if you do, try not to wear it under your mask. This almost goes without mentioning that cosmetics only clog pores and irritates existing skin conditions. When you choose to wear makeup, you can find foundations and powders that are non-comedogenic. Since half of your face might be covered with a face mask, wearing a face mask is nearly unnecessary, especially if you are just going outside for a moment or buying something in the store across your house or even if you're just staying at home. It's not bad to look beautiful when you need to, but if you might suffer from skin problems or breakouts caused by extensive usage of make-up under your face mask, it's better to skip cosmetics at all. Besides, fresh, natural-looking skin is the best choice for younger-looking skin.  

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When washing your mask, avoid using bleach.
Bleach may be irritating to your face, so don't use it when you wash your mask. Once you wash it, the dermatologist advises that you can examine how the skin responds to the freshly cleaned cloth, as the face may have a different response to the detergent than your body. Aim to keep the mask as clean as possible, so it may be good not to use the same mask that you do for other things. You can learn how to change your N95 mask in the short blog we provided in our previous blogs. So, when it comes to proper usage and disposal of your facemask, be wary of important things to remember and be vigilant of using the right products and the appropriate facemask. 

Spot-treat if necessary. If you are still having a crop of mask-related pimples, you might try to use spot therapy such as Neutrogena Rapid Spot Clear. A treatment like this typically tends to relieve acute acne a day or two quicker than allowing discomfort to recover on its own. No matter what you do, don't try to sort or crack a pimple. This is likely to result in inflammation and subsequent scarring. Well, always bear in mind that you might need to consult a dermatologist or skin expert before purchasing skin products or before doing skin treatments. Always ask advice from professionals. 

If your conditions persist, look for a dermatologist
As always, if your condition persists or worsens, make an appointment with a dermatologist, either in person or through telehealth, to diagnose your condition. So if you ever need a reminder, don't pick, scratch, or pop something on your face.

So, if you would like to prevent having break-outs from wearing masks, just make sure to follow these precautionary steps or make a habit of having proper hygiene as well as your regular beauty regimen.

Good news: You can actually protect yourself as much as possible by wearing an N95 respirator mask: Get your KN95 respirator masks for the whole family today 

Disclaimer: Please note that we can only pass on general information and cannot make any guarantees or be liable for any consequences of your decision making or behavior. Use good common sense and ask your healthcare provider or physician for advice.

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