For Nancy, a nurse in an intensive care unit in New Jersey, skin problems started with rashes on her face and pain behind her ears. Those same irritations began to increase among his coworkers as their shifts grew longer to meet the growing demand for hospital support during the coronavirus pandemic. "Our skin is torn and bruised by wearing these masks for 12-14 hours per shift," he confesses to CNN Underscored.
Gwen, another nurse in New Jersey, has also been dealing with a rash, irritation, and redness. "These masks make it very difficult to breathe and there is no air circulation," she says. "I see irritation right where the mask molds against my face, what I like to call my 'hero wounds.'"
The hospital workers we spoke with have managed to ease the physical pain they experience wearing face masks. They wear button headbands or comb their hair into space buns to protect their ears from the elastic bands of the masks, although it doesn't always help. “I wear my hair in all kinds of styles so that the mask is not so tight behind the ears and along the face, although they are (still) very tight. Some days I don't have the opportunity to change it, so these injuries are inevitable, "adds Gwen.
Nurses and doctors are not the only hospital staff experiencing work-related skin problems. Susan, a physical therapist in an intensive care hospital at one of the COVID-19 medical stations in New Jersey, works closely with doctors, nurses, and respiratory and occupational therapists to help patients improve their mobility and function.
"Before covid-19, if we were wearing masks, it was usually for five to 30 minutes, not a full shift," she says. “My skin has started to redden along the areas where the masks exert additional pressure; under the chin and under the eyes. "
Once we learned about the skin care issues facing hospital staff, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation that everyone wear a face shield in public, we spoke with skin experts, including dermatologists, to discuss everything you need for skin care and face masks during the coronavirus era.
From acne treatment to the essential ingredients for skin care, the materials you should avoid when buying or how to make your face masks, we have considered all the questions.
How can a mask irritate the skin?
Healthcare workers need their masks to be very tight for maximum effectiveness, but the flip side of that coin is that the masks can cause post-inflammatory abrasions, cuts, redness, irritation, and hyperpigmentation, explains Dr. Hadley King, dermatologist. from New York.
According to King, we must ensure that our masks are not tighter than necessary and that the mask is smooth and non-abrasive when touching our skin. "If you notice this type of irritation after removing the mask, wash the area with water and a mild cleanser and apply an ointment to help the skin heal," he adds.
Aquaphor Pomade ($ 13.74; amazon.com)
CeraVe Ointment ($ 17.18, originally $ 19.99; amazon.com)
"Lubricate the skin with occlusive ointments such as Aquaphor Healing Ointment and CeraVe Healing Ointment to create a barrier and help the skin heal," says King.
Dynarex Hydrocolloid Dressing ($ 12.35; amazon.com)
"Fine hydrocolloid bandages can also be placed on high-impact areas like the nose and cheeks to relieve pressure," she says.
Masks in summer
June 20 is the first official day of summer, and summer means higher temperatures and humidity, which could affect both our comfort when wearing a mask and the health of our skin, according to the professionals we speak with.
There are two main ways that facial masks can damage the skin, according to Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
"First, direct friction can lead to disruption of the skin barrier, irritation and inflammation," he says. "Second, the masks can trap oil, dirt and sweat on the skin, causing outbreaks of conditions such as acne, eczema and rosacea."
King agrees and says, "Skin irritations caused by rubbing, friction, and pressure are likely to be exacerbated by sweat, which can make the skin more vulnerable to irritation in the summer." .
Dr. Harold Lancer, a dermatologist and founder of Lancer Skincare, anticipates similar problems in the coming months. "In addition to irritations and reactions to mask materials, the heat will cause a change in the skin's moisture that is covered by the mask," he says. "This can lead to problems with pore structure and congestion, blemishes and excessive oil retention, which can lead to inflammation and worsening of rosacea."
And if you have acne-prone skin, get ready to deal with pimples this summer. "The biggest problem we're likely to see is acne breakouts under the face mask, as oil and sweat get trapped on the skin," explains Zeichner. "We can start to see similar reactions to heat rashes because the masks occlude the skin and prevent heat release."
He also notes that eczema and rosacea can flare up when the masks trap sweat, dirt and oil on the skin.
How to take care of your skin while wearing a mask
First things first: Carry on with your morning and evening skincare routines, and be sure to wash your face before and after wearing a mask.
"Polishing, cleaning and nourishing the skin on a daily basis will guarantee the maintenance and repair of the skin barrier," says Lancer. Normal cleaning is important at this time as it removes natural debris, but the antibacterial component creates an additional safety barrier. Make sure you do a complete rinse after cleaning. ”
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Foaming Cleanser ($ 8.22; amazon.com)
You'll want to make sure to use facial cleansers that are gentle on the skin. "Use products that effectively remove dirt and oil without altering the skin barrier," says Zeichner. "Neutrogena Ultra Soft Foam Cleanser uses hydrophobically modified polymer technology to cleanse the skin without compromising the skin barrier."
CeraVe Salicylic Acid Cleaner ($ 9.89; amazon.com)
If you have oily, acne-prone skin, use salicylic acid face soap twice a day to keep sebum under control and prevent pimples.
"Salicylic acid is an excellent comedolytic ingredient, or pore cleanser, because it exfoliates the stratum corneum (the surface of the skin) and penetrates the pores to remove sebum." King explains. "This helps prevent pores from clogging and can help remove blockages that have already formed."
Acne-Free Blackhead Remover Scrub ($ 7.99; amazon.com)
He also suggests using this scrub, which contains 2% salicylic acid and has charcoal to soak up the oil, every few days.
Next, apply a light moisturizer to hydrate your skin. All three doctors suggest that we look for hyaluronic acid products for this step. "The heat, perspiration, and friction from the skin-rubbing mask will potentially cause irritating dermatitis and perhaps facial yeast overgrowth," says Lancer, adding that the soothing and anti-inflammatory properties of hyaluronic acid "hydrate the skin and they combat these problems. ”
Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Enhancer ($ 36; amazon.com)
We are fans of this moisturizer because it has emollients that help plump up the skin. In addition, it contains adenosine, panthenol and glycerin, which together help repair the skin, heal inflammation and increase the production of collagen.
Cosmedica Hyaluronic Acid Skin Care Serum (from $ 10.95, originally $ 19.57; amazon.com)
This hyaluronic acid serum has more than acts quickly and reduces swelling.
Yes to Tomatoes Facial Cleansing Wipes - 30ct, 2-Pack ($ 9.49; amazon.com)
For those with acne-prone and oily skin who want a super simple routine, Lancer recommends blemish control wipes to "keep excess oil under control and don't take significant time."
Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment ($ 6.47; amazon.com)
When an annoying pimple appears, try Zeichner's recommendation: Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment.
"You can apply it to the face after cleansing and hydration to keep the pores clean," he says. "Use a specialized formula to minimize potential skin irritation."
In general, both King and Zeichner suggest that we promptly treat inflamed areas of our face with an anti-inflammatory cream. "The 1% hydrocortisone cream acts as a fire extinguisher to quench skin inflammation," says Zeichner.
You can also use good petroleum jelly.
If you are a frontline healthcare worker in the fight against coronavirus, you can fill out a form at Donate Beauty, an organization co-founded by four beauty editors who want to distribute beauty supplies to hospital staff.
Can I wear makeup while wearing a mask?
All three dermatologists advise that we skip wearing makeup under our masks. However, if you want to use colored cosmetics while wearing a face mask, you must adapt your beauty routine to the new standard. Try to keep your makeup to a minimum to allow your skin to breathe. Remember: if you plan to apply any product under the mask area, you should avoid comedogenic products, or your skin may become congested with blackheads.
Kosas Tinted Face Oil Foundation ($ 42; sephora.com)
Instead, go for a light foundation with moisturizing ingredients, like this Kosas facial oil. It is a clean beauty product that contains jojoba, avocado, and raspberry seed oils to soothe, hydrate, and tone your skin.
Sigma Beauty SigMagic Brushampoo Liquid ($ 19; amazon.com)
And don't forget to take that extra step and wash your beauty tools with a brush cleaner to prevent irritations from appearing on your face. This liquid cleaner is antimicrobial, to prevent germs from colonizing your brushes.
Beautyblender Blendercleanser Solid ($ 13.60; amazon.com)
If you prefer solid brush cleaners, look for this one, which comes with a grid to rub your tools in.
Find 100% cotton face masks
"Look for standard materials and masks that are generally used for surgery or medicine," advises Lancer. “If you are making your own mask, use 100% simple cotton fabric to build it. The more synthetic a material, the greater heat retention occurs in the skin that is covered by the mask. This will likely cause irritation, so be sure to avoid them. "
If you can't buy a mask or would rather make your own, King suggests that you use pillowcases or 600-thread flannel pajamas "that provide up to 60% filtration."
"If you can see the light through the fabric, it's probably not as safe as something you can't see the light through," says King. “The thicker, denser the material, the more likely it will filter better. But if you choose a material that is too thick, it becomes difficult to breathe. "
And don't forget to wash your cotton mask. CDC guidelines say putting it in the washing machine will clean it.
You can see exactly how to make your own face mask here, and check out these 100% cotton options below.
AB2store Handmade 100% cotton face masks (from $ 8.90; etsy.com)
Featuring adjustable elastic straps and coming in fairly elegant and subtle geometric patterns, these handmade masks can become a new favorite accessory.
100% Cotton Kishubaby Muslin Facial Mask with Pocket Filter ($ 14; etsy.com)
Available in a wide variety of charming colors like lavender, rust, olive and more, they are constructed of six layers of fabric and come with a pocket where you can insert a filter.
LuckyDuckyUS Three-Layer 100% Cotton Face Mask (starting at $ 12; etsy.com)
There are many different patterns available for this one, including red squares and hot pink squares. They also come with a pocket for a filter.
Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.