In this issue, we will discuss how to protect your skin with masks.
Due to the pandemic of COVID-19, people are supposed to wear masks when they go out, but there is talk about skin problems caused by masks.
Although it is possible to avoid this problem by using different types of masks, it becomes difficult to protect the skin when wearing airtight masks.
In the study introduced here, they investigated what measures can be taken to protect the skin from masks. This study was conducted to find out.
Contents of the study
Wearing masks has become essential for healthcare workers, but long-term use of N95 masks can cause various skin complications such as rashes, infections, pigmentation, ulcers, and scars.
Images of skin damage caused by long-term use of masks have been shared on social networking sites.The pattern of damage is similar, most often affecting the bridge of the nose and cheeks of the cheekbones, the point of contact with the mask.
As a countermeasure, we recommend the practical use of easily available make-up cotton pads (MCPs) to reduce pressure on the nose and cheeks.
1. A 1.5 cm vertical incision is made with scissors from the lower edge of the MCP on the midline.
2. The incision is made horizontally 1 cm on both sides.
3. The section is curved toward the upper edge and is cut 1 cm from the outer edge at the deepest point of the MCP, 1 cm lateral to the midline on both sides, and 1.5 cm down from the upper edge.
Finally, hypoallergenic surgical tape is used to secure the MCP stretched from the base of the nose to the cheek.
After the N95 mask is applied, the top edge of the mask is fixed to the skin with tape.
The reasons for fixing with surgical tape are
(1) To fix the edge of the mask and the wings of the SP together on the skin.
(2) To increase the effectiveness of the mask
(3) To reduce the possibility of fogging of the glasses by preventing the mask from shifting
Cabbarzade C. A Practical Way to Prevent Nose and Cheek Damage Due to the Use of N95 Masks in the COVID-19 Pandemic. Aesthet Surg J. 2020;40(10):NP608-NP Aesthet Surg J. 2020;40(10):NP608-NP167. doi:10.1093/asj/sjaa167
Summary
The study was conducted using cotton and surgical tape as materials.
The study used cotton and surgical tape as the material. 86 health care workers tried it, and they all seemed to like it.
It may be preferable to apply the tape directly to the skin rather than to the mask, as it will fit better, but the general public may not be willing to do this because of the appearance.However, it may be useful for those who work in a workplace where there are many opportunities for infection, so why not try it?
