How to deal with skin problems caused by wearing masks? Dermatologist answers

With more and more places opening up wearing masks have become nonnegotiable While face masks are a lifesaviour and play an important role in preventing the spread of coronavirus they can also be hard on your skinDr Sejal Shah consulting dermatologist at Kaya Youth says ldquoThe potential consequences of donning face masks for long periods of time are various skin issues like redness irritation skin rash and buildup of excess sweat and oil that results in clogged pores and lsquoMasknersquo which is essentially acne triggered by masksrdquoShe adds ldquoMasks pressure the skin and depending on the mask wearerrsquos skin condition this can exacerbate skin irritation Also friction due to masks leads to damage on the nose and cheeks and micro abrasions to the skin which may cause skin infectionsrdquoCan it cause permanent skin damageWearing masks in a fastpaced stressful and sometimes humid environment can lead to discomfort and aggravate the existing skin issues It can further cause Maskne irritation and redness Following the right skincare routine and solutionoriented products formulated specially to soothe and heal the skin is very important If home remedies do not reduce the symptoms they must be further examined by a dermatologistCan the normal texture of the skin be reattainedDr Shah says ldquoIt is advisable for people who wear masks for long periods to keep their skin wellhydrated and moisturized The existing adversities do have a chance to get reversed to a normal state provided one takes good care of the skin by following a personalised day and night skin care regime An expert intervention and recommended procedures may help reverse these skin conditionsrdquoWhat are the ways to prevent skin damage caused by prolonged wearing of masksFrom inculcating a new and pertinent skincare regime for mild to moderate skin issues to procedures done by a practicing dermatologist for severe skin damage caused by wearing masks there are various measures to deal with skin damageHere are some measures recommended by Dr Shah that will help you prevent skin damage due to masksDo not touchIf your skin has started to develop any condition related to maskwearing it is advisable to avoid touching the face often as it can lead to acne breakouts and infectionsCleanse the faceIt is advisable that you use a personalised facial cleanser that is suitable for your skin type Also do not forget to purchase a product that is not harsh on your skin It must help you maintain the pH balance of the skin and on the other hand it washes away 99937 germs leaving the skin fresh supple and hydratedGel wellKaya Youths preface mask gel is an innovative way to keep your skin protected from conditions like Maskne A gel acts as a protective layer between your skin and the mask reducing direct contact friction and irritation However do keep in mind that the gel should be lightweight and with quickabsorbing properties It must also help in controlling sweat and oil buildupFocus on recoveryA skin recovery cream such as the one by Kaya Youth when used as a night regime helps in allowing skin restoration It is aided by intensive moisturization which further soothes the skin and helps reduce symptoms such as irritation redness and inflammationMinimize makeupMakeup application should be avoided under the mask as much as one can Wearing makeup will not only suffocate the skin but also clog the pores which may lead to acne breakouts In case you cannot avoid makeup opt for noncomedogenic products that are formulated to prevent clogged poresKaya Youths new skin care range has the preface mask gel and the recovery cream which could prove to be a blessing for mask wearers You can buy themhere