4 Tips for Wearing Face Masks / PPE More Comfortably
Wearing a face mask has become a necessary part of daily life. That being said, it’s not always the most comfortable thing in the world. If you’re having trouble getting comfortable in your face mask, here are a few actions you can take.
Mask Any Bad Odors in Your Path
While you can still smell through a face mask, it’s tough not to focus on the way your mask smells. In addition, it means bad smells can still make their way into your nostrils. If not having the option of plugging your nose bothers you, consider masking any bad odors in your mask by spraying it with an antibacterial scented spray. Not only will it help mask any bad odors, but it just might make wearing your face mask a little more pleasant because it always smells nice.
Keep Your Ears Comfortable
Face masks are typically pretty light, but those elastic strips around your ears can really do a number on your skin if you’re not careful. Beyond making sure to moisturize the skin behind your ears, there are a few hacks you can try to relieve some of the ear aches that your mask might give you. One of the easiest ways to do this is with a simple paper clip. Hook each of your elastic ear loops through one end of the paper clip and secure it behind your head when you put your mask on. With both of your ear loops in the paperclip, they won’t be able to irritate the skin behind your ears.
Take a Break from Makeup
When you’re wearing a mask, your skin isn’t able to breathe quite as easily as it can in the open air. As a result, more oils from your skin get trapped under your mask and may result in a mask-induced acne flare-up. You may also experience flares in different types of skin rashes or rosacea if you’re not careful about keeping your skin free and clear. If sweat or condensation is one of your rosacea triggers, you’ll want to keep your skin as dry as possible. Unfortunately, makeup under your mask can further contribute to skin problems and irritation. If you absolutely have to wear makeup, consider limiting your coverage to the area that’s not covered up by your mask.
Avoid Skin Irritation
When you’re living with rosacea, eczema, or acne, fabric rubbing up against your face all the time isn’t really the best thing you can do for it. And since rosacea causes redness even without irritation, you might be experiencing double redness on your skin after wearing a mask. To combat this irritation, consider placing a tissue on the bridge of your nose so it covers the tip of your nose and the top of your lip. It may not entirely prevent the fabric rubbing up against your face, but it will at least ensure that the area around your nose isn’t as red and irritated as it would be otherwise.
Wearing a face mask is a simple task, but it can be irritating for your face and skin at times. If you want more tips on how to make your face mask a little less irritating on your skin, contact SE Dermatology Specialists to consult with one of our doctors today.