Or even makeup or skincare products which people have used for years, but now is subjected to being under the masks for hours may also be the source of skin allergies. Or the detergents people use to wash their masks may have fragrances or preservatives that may also trigger skin allergies. The fabrics and dyes are all possible skin allergens as well creating an itchy rash that may look like eczema. Mask-acne due to skin allergies from fabrics or detergents For those with sensitive skin, this can lead to irritation over time, similar to wearing a very high underwear perhaps.
Also as you sneeze or breathe, this can lead to masks moving back and forth constantly on the face. As opposed to clothing that one wears where there’s some breathing room, fabric masks are directly touching the skin for long periods of time. Fabric masks are not regulated and can be made of different fabric/textile materials and different colored dyes. N95 masks, surgical masks, and fabric masks are all made of different materials. All of this is to say that it creates the perfect environment to create and/or worsen acne. More oils, warmer temperatures and more hydration leads to skin barrier damage that allows for bacteria microflora imbalance. Further, the humidity and heat under masks can lead to irritation and swelling of the top layer of the skin (aka epidermis) which then leads to blockage of the pilosebaceous units that may contribute to acne production. Studies show that with each 1☌ rise in temperature, sebum increased by 10%. Under masks, the skin’s temperature is higher. There’s some evidence that wearing masks can lead to increased oil production. Although there’s many different possible medical conditions that can develop, the most common presentations are: acne or folliculitis, irritant contact dermatitis, and allergic contact dermatitis.
Mask-acne is a term that patients used to lump all types of skin conditions that develop under the masks. Today we will discuss – what is mask-acne? Mask-acne is a term for several different skin conditions
With this new habit of mask wearing, many people started to develop a condition called mask-acne. Wearing masks was shown to reduce the risk of respiratory infections which are commonly spread through droplets (ie. The COVID pandemic led to a few changes in our daily habits – such as washing hands frequently, keeping 6′ social distance, and wearing masks.