Side Effects of Wearing Face Masks & Remedies

You can develop acne

That’s right, you can actually develop acne if you wear a face mask for too long (let’s say more than eight hours a day continuously) but if your job doesn’t involve wearing a face mask all day (because you don’t interact with your customers or colleagues) then you are safe. 

People who work directly with their clients are more likely to develop acne because of their masks, such as beauticians, doctors, cashiers and so on, especially since the mask keeps the environment moist and perspiration enters the pores more easily, causing acne.

Moreover, acne mechanica is also common these days and is defined as the “acne from the friction of the mask and also from humidity and bacteria in the mask covered area,” said Nazanin Saedi, MD, Director, Jefferson Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology Center. “Acne is a multifactorial skin disorder with four main factors contributing to those stubborn lesions you see on your face,” adds Nicole Ruth, DO of @thedermdoctor. “The factors are Propionibacterium acnes (P. Acnes), sebum overproduction, abnormal keratinization and inflammation.”

Of course, you can prevent this type of acne without risking your life. So, you should pay more attention to your skin care routine and try to keep your face hydrated. “You can use acne medications but be gentle to avoid too much irritation, which can compromise the skin barrier and lead to more breakouts,” said Dr. Saedi. 

Some dermatologists recommend that you avoid putting on make up and replace or wash your mask frequently. Dr. Ruth also recommends using blue light therapy. “Used for years by dermatologists, light emitting diode (LED) therapy with blue light has been reported to improve acne and is a beneficial treatment option for acne,” she said.