How To Deal With “Maskne”
Why let a mask get in the way of radiant skin?
Your skin can be difficult to manage at the best of times – let alone in the midst of a global pandemic! Face masks are now a mandatory part of life, with everyone making an effort to keep the COVID infection rate down. An unfortunate side effect of regularly wearing a mask is mask-induced acne, a phenomenon which has come to be known as “Maskne”.
Masks are a useful way of helping us to protect ourselves and others, however, the core purpose of a mask is to prevent the passage of bacteria – this is a great safety measure but also has all the ingredients for a skincare disaster!
“Maskne” is caused by various factors that come about as a result of wearing a mask. According to a leading dermatologist, when masks rub against the skin they can cause micro-tears which allow easier entry for bacteria and can cause dirt to clog up our pores. When wearing a mask for an extended period of time, our breathing can also become troublesome as this creates a hot and moist environment – this can lead to a buildup of oil, sweat and bacteria. This bacteria results in an increased chance of acne, infection and wrinkles.
Acne can become incredibly difficult and hard to manage, leading to the formation of painful spots and pimples and having a direct influence on our confidence levels. There are several strategies that can reduce breakouts, and our team at North West Aesthetics are happy to share these with you today.
Our Tips To Prevent “Maskne”
Wearing a mask can induce a type of acne called “acne mechanica” and this is commonly caused by chafing and heat – these effects are further aggravated by sweating. A straightforward way to combat this is by changing your face covering each day. Reusable fabrics can house many forms of bacteria, so washing these thoroughly can be an effective way of reducing the bacterial buildup on your face.
It is also advisable to avoid wearing makeup whilst using a mask. Instead, we would recommend that you introduce products into your skincare routine that will work to keep your skin clear and moisturised – this will help prevent pores from becoming clogged whilst also reducing chafing.
After a day out with your mask, we advise that you thoroughly wash your face with water and use other cleansing products. It is also worth noting that if you are wearing a mask it does not mean you should neglect the top half of your face – make sure you are still using SPF products to protect this part of your face from the sun, especially over the summer months!
How We Can Help You
Dermaroller treatments at North West Aesthetics are carried out by using a handheld device to carefully and accurately create small channels with microneedles. This treatment can be useful for combatting “Maskne” as it triggers the natural healing abilities of the skin – giving you a clearer and healthier complexion.
With the arrival of August, we are now allowed to take bookings for our various facial treatments. Facials are a great option that will leave your skin looking fresher, softer and younger. When it comes to “Maskne,” our professional facial treatments can also help clear clogged pores and hydrate parched skin.
The Opera LED Mask is a treatment that utilises LED wavelengths to refresh and repair your skin. This treatment can help reduce acne and “Maskne,” and is a great solution to minimising red blemishes and achieving smoother skin. Your skin will also appear to have fewer wrinkles after you undergo this treatment.
North West Aesthetics
Led by Dr David Taylor, North West Aesthetics specialises in non-surgical aesthetic treatments. Our clinic is based in Wigan and we always provide a thorough initial consultation to all patients to ensure you are getting the best procedure for you and your skin.
To book in for a consultation with one of our team, call us on 01942 909 003 or email us at enquiries@northwestaesthetics.co.uk.
