By now it is safe to say we are all pretty tired of wearing our masks right? Of course we are! Since we know this will have to continue until who knows when, we’ve been learning to accept it. Although the masks protects us, they can really irritate our skin and in turn cause acne. This is why a new term has evolved in the name of “maskne” (mask-related acne).

Lets Get Technical

When you breathe or talk, your mask tends to trap in a lot of hot air. Besides being annoying, this air creates a warm, humid environment — and an ideal setting for yeast, bacteria and other flora, such as demodex (types of skin mites that naturally live on our skin), to grow. These bacterial imbalances and friction from your mask can promote acne and rosacea flare-ups as well as something called perioral dermatitis. This is when fine pimples and pustules appear around the nose and mouth.

Makeup or Facial Hair?
As long as you are not heavy handed with your application, applying makeup is fine. Topical treatments and sunscreen can help calm and balance the normal skin flora. A layer of moisturizer (lighter if you are oily or acne prone and thicker if you have sensitive or eczema-prone skin) or even a sunblock that contains zinc or titanium can help your skin by serving as a barrier against any friction or irritation that develops. For the guys with beards or moustaches it can be quite difficult to prevent the warmth from creating moisture under the mask. Thats why we recommend using a toner with alpha hydroxy acid to freshen your skin and prevent problems. Make sure to let your skin and facial hair dry off before putting your mask back on.

Book-In Your Maskne Facial

We are now providing a treatment facial specifically designed to take care of maskne! If this is something that is getting out of control for you or if you simply want to be proactive to prevent maskne, call (5195788898) or email us (reception@pinosalon.com) to book an appointment with one of our professionals.