Hello. I am Lee Sang-ju, a dermatologist. Many people are wearing masks these days. While masks are essential for protecting our health, many also experience various skin troubles on their faces due to wearing them. Today, we will take a closer look at the types of skin troubles that can occur from mask use, as well as prevention and management methods.
Mask Wearing: Why Does It Cause Skin Troubles?
Wearing a mask can cause various skin troubles. The causes can largely be divided into three categories:
- Sealed Environment and Anaerobic Bacterial Growth: Masks create a sealed environment by adhering closely to the skin. This can lead to an increase in anaerobic bacteria, especially acne bacteria, which thrive in the absence of air. Additionally, other bacteria can also grow well in warm environments, increasing the risk of bacterial diseases such as folliculitis.
- Increased Temperature and Sebum Secretion: When the facial temperature rises, sebum secretion tends to increase. Sebum that would normally be washed away can remain on the skin when wearing a mask, leading to troubles such as acne.
- Irritation from Mask Material and Friction: Contact dermatitis can occur due to the non-woven fabric, preservative treatments, and adhesives used to make masks. Especially as the KF rating increases, the mask adheres more closely to the skin, which can cause dermatitis in the areas of contact due to rubbing.
Common Skin Conditions Caused by Masks
Various skin conditions can occur due to mask-wearing, but three are representative:
- Acne Acne often occurs in the areas covered by the mask as pores become blocked and acne bacteria proliferate.
- Contact Dermatitis Many people visit the clinic due to contact dermatitis, experiencing redness, itching, or stinging on the face caused by mask material or friction. Those with pre-existing atopic dermatitis often report a worsening of their symptoms.
- Skin Rubbing and Pressure Dermatitis In areas where the mask fits tightly, such as the earlobes or bridge of the nose, dermatitis may appear as if the skin is rubbed raw or peeling.
How to Manage Mask Troubles?
Skin troubles caused by masks require appropriate management depending on their type.
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Acne Care: While masks cannot be removed, acne can be treated. Treatment involves medication or laser management, following general acne treatment guidelines. Individuals prone to acne can reduce mask-induced acne by treating acne bacteria or undergoing procedures like Gold PTT, which destroys sebaceous glands. Furthermore, if you have atopic dermatitis or seborrheic dermatitis, it is crucial to actively treat these conditions to improve skin health and restore the skin barrier.
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Contact Dermatitis Management: Since it varies from person to person, if contact dermatitis occurs in areas touched by the mask, trying a different mask can be a solution. Products like cotton masks are known to cause relatively less contact dermatitis.
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Rubbing and Pressure Dermatitis Management: Inflammation on the bridge of the nose or earlobes often occurs due to excessive pressure. In such cases, reducing the pressure on the affected area or applying silicone pads or bandages can help minimize direct physical irritation to the skin.
Mask Trouble Prevention Habits for Healthy Skin
Mask troubles can manifest as various conditions, so maintaining healthy skin is important.
If you have an existing skin condition, it is crucial to treat it promptly to restore the skin barrier and maintain a healthy state. Early treatment of a disease can prevent it from worsening.
In addition, you can prevent mask troubles through the following lifestyle habits:
- Reduce Cosmetic Use: The areas covered by masks are often areas where a lot of makeup is applied. However, using cosmetics with high oil content can lead to more acne, and increasing the number of cosmetic products can also increase the likelihood of contact dermatitis. It is advisable to reduce the number of cosmetic products used in areas covered by the mask.
- Maintain Mask Cleanliness: Masks often get wet easily, and wet masks can have a negative impact on the skin. It is important to always keep masks dry through proper management.
This has been dermatologist Lee Sang-ju. If you are suffering from skin troubles in these times when mask-wearing has become a daily routine, please refer to the information provided today to protect your healthy skin.