Follow these tips to protect your skin while wearing a face mask

Wearing a facemask is a must during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, excess use of it may cause skin problems. Here are some tips to avoid breakouts and skin irritation from wearing a face mask.

By: Sanyukta Baijal | | Updated: May 31, 2020 10:25 pm

एक्सपर्ट ने बताई अच्छे मास्क की 4 क्वॉलिटी

Earlier it was only health care workers who were wearing masks while treating the COVID-19 patients. But after researchers revealed that the novel coronavirus is highly contagious and most cases are asymptomatic, it was made mandatory for everyone to wear face masks. While the benefits of wearing face masks in protecting against the deadly virus cannot be underestimated, it also has side-effects. Also Read - Covid-19 spike in Maharashtra: Mumbai Mayor takes to streets to avoid another lockdown

Wearing face mask for too long can result in skin problems ranging flaring of skin rashes to worsening of acne. Since your skin needs a little breathing space too, it is important to be careful with what you apply to your face before putting on your masks and stepping out as they can block your air circulation too. Here we have listed a few tips to protect your skin while wearing a face mask. Also Read - Anti-viral coating on face masks can kill coronavirus variants upto 95%

Moisturize your skin

Wash your skin well and apply a light moisturizer. If your skin is very dry, you can also use a heavy moisturizing cream. But avoid ointments as they may be too greasy. Also, ointments may have adverse affect on the seal of certain tight-fitting masks. Also Read - Coronavirus FAQs: Does wearing two masks provide better protection than one?

Apply a light sunscreen lotion or cream

Try a light sunscreen lotion or cream, preferably a mineral-based sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Certain chemicals in sunscreen may wear down the integrity of rubber or elastic materials on the mask. Therefore, stick to the creams which have the above mentioned properties in them.

Make sure it is not too tight

Make sure that your mask covers your nose and mouth properly. But it shouldn’t be so tight that you end up bruising your skin. If you are using a homemade mask, loosen up the mask in order to avoid skin irritation and bruises on your face.

Avoid putting makeup under your mask

Try not to wear any makeup or foundation under your mask. This may cause your skin to break out as there is lesser circulation of the air which may lead to the chemicals present in the makeup react with your skin and lead to a lot of skin problems.

Use paper-tape or micropore tape

If you wear glasses and if they are fogging up while wearing a mask, use “paper-tape” or “micropore” tape to stick the mask across the bridge of your nose and to the cheeks. This will prevent your breath from fogging up your eye protection. This type of tape is least likely to pull or damage your skin when you remove the mask.

Wash your hands

Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water after removing your mask. And avoid touching your face especially, your eyes, mouth and nose.

Apply petroleum jelly after removing your mask

If you suffer from raw or chaffed skin then apply petroleum jelly after you are finished wearing your mask for the day. You may even apply aloe vera mask as it has anti-inflammatory properties which will help in soothing your skin.

Try to switch to a cloth mask when needed

Masks which are available in the market may hurt your ears from their tight elastic bands. Therefore, try to switch to a cloth mask with cloth ear loops which won’t cause skin burns or irritation.

Published : May 31, 2020 10:06 pm | Updated:May 31, 2020 10:25 pm

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