As soon as the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) is implemented, many people slowly resumed their daily work. Currently, face masks have become a necessary item when people want to go out. Besides, they also need to maintain social distance and wash hands to protect themselves. 

However, various skin problems or long-term eczema may occur if you use a mask prolongedly. Many people still do not know much about the lifespan and methods of using a mask. They often continue to use stained masks. The expert stated that the facial skin problems caused by masks continued to increase during CMCO. 

Wearing a mask would cause allergy and facial problems. Some people will be sneezing or their ears will be itchy when they are wearing masks. This is because they are allergic to the substances in the mask or the straps attached to the ears. Therefore, they are advised to use other brands of masks if this problem occurs.

Photo Source: Good Housekeeping

Exercising while wearing masks or wearing the same mask from morning to night without any replacement can easily cause facial skin problems, such as eczema, acne, itching, dryness, redness, and peeling. This is because the sweat on the face and the exhaled breath will make the mask becomes moist. 

A good mask or a mask that meets the medical standard must have a sweat-absorbing and inhaling layer inside. Sadly, the quality of the masks on the market is uneven. If you buy a mask of inferior quality, it will not help you to prevent the pandemic but it also increases the chance of skin problems on the face.

  
Photo Source: Everyday Health

Besides, ventilation is important for exercise and it is not advisable to wear masks during exercise as it may cause physical reactions such as shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat. The expert added that the condition of the people who have already have eczema will become worse if they wear masks for a long time. Even people who do not have eczema or skin diseases will be infected with eczema if they do not take care of their skin cleanly.

On the other hand, if you wash your face too frequently, it will also cause eczema because the protective layer on your face would be washed away; hence, it would make your skin dry, itchy, and red. Therefore, as long as you don’t go out, you don’t need to wash your face so often. After washing your face in the morning, apply a moisturizing cream to keep your face moisturized.

Photo Source: The Star

An ordinary person can wear a three-layer medical mask to reduce the risk of infection. The N95 mask is not suitable because it is too tight and not breathable for a long time. It will also increase the chance of acne. 

Some experts pointed out that the lifespan of disposable medical masks should not exceed 8 hours. However, this is different depending on the person and the environment. The mask must be changed after it becomes wet. It is best to use a facial cleanser with moisturizing ingredients to clean the sweat on your face.

Furthermore, you need to avoid wearing makeup when wearing a mask. Even if you want to wear makeup, you must use non-comedogenic products to prevent the growth of acne.

  
Photo Source: Wired

In addition, you could put a piece of cotton or gauze when you felt pain and tight when wearing a mask.

Lastly, you could reduce the number of times you wear a mask by planning what you want to deal with and finish it once you go out.

Source: Sinchew Daily

Cover Photo: The Star || The Borneo Post