Maskne, or mask acne, is nearly as rampant as COVID. Wearing a mask regularly can lead to flareups in chronic skin conditions, including acne. If you are suffering with maskne, try these top mask acne treatments in Northern Virginia.
What is Acne?
Acne can occur for many reasons. Typically, it occurs when pores are clogged by sebum, skin cells, sweat, moisture, dirt, and other foreign matter. These clogs can trap Propionibacterium acnes bacteria, which occurs naturally on the skin. Being trapped beneath the surfaces causes infection, inflammation, and pimples.
Is Mask Acne Different?
There are several forms of acne. Commonly, people think of acne as a combo of clogged pores, hormones, and C. acnes bacteria. Another common form of acne is “acne mechanica” and this is caused by occlusion or friction against the skin which leads to irritation. Over time, the continued friction leads to inflammation that can clog pores and create breakouts.
Wearing a mask traps moisture and sweat which can also contribute to breakouts. Maskne is a form of acne mechanica and it causes breakouts in the areas covered by face masks including the jaw, cheeks, nose, chin, and areas around the mouth.
Causes of Mask Acne
Many factors can lead to or worsen maskne. Risk factors include:
- Cold, dry weather.
- Humidity
- Stress
- Sunscreen
Types of Masks
There are many types of masks and the kind you need will depend greatly on your job and daily needs. However, to reduce friction you can choose a fabric like silk or silk-lined face masks. Also, choosing a more breathable fabric may help control your breakouts. As always, frequently washing your mask is also necessary.
Preventing Mask Acne
Obviously, spending time at home and out of the mask is the best way to prevent a breakout. But we understand that isn’t an option for some people. There are some things you can do to help though. First, you should speak to your dermatologist and discuss any treatment and prevention options available to you. In addition to working with your dermatologist, you can:
- Clean your mask frequently.
- Exchange disposable masks often.
- Keep skincare simple. A gently cleanser, fragrance free moisturizer and daily sunscreen are a good choice. Remember, the more products under the mask, the greater the chance of irritation.
- Choose petrolatum-based products for protection.
- Skip makeup.
- Avoid harsh products. Masks can seal in and amplify affects from harsh products like retinols and acids, leading to dryness and irritation. Only apply these at night or when your done wearing a mask for the day.
- Use mineral sunblock. These contain zinc, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
Home Care for Mask Acne
Normal acne treatments may not be the best choice for maskne. These treatments are typically harsh and may leave you with extremely dry skin, sores, or eczema flare ups. The best thing to do is speak to your dermatologist about an at home treatment. he/she can recommend adjustments to your daily skincare routine to help you combat maskne at home. Typically, acne prevention routine should include:
- Using a gentle cleanser and moisturizer.
- Spot treatment. Use this only at night and clean any excess off before putting a mask on in the morning.
- Apply these only at night. Clean the skin completely before wearing a mask the next day.
- Combat hyperpigmentation. Glycolic acid products can help combat skin darkening.
- Using a daily sunscreen.
- Barrier cream. After cleaning and moisturizing, apply a thing layer of barrier cream to inflamed, irritated, or damaged areas of the skin.
Top Mask Acne Treatments in Northern Virginia
If you are struggling with mask acne, please see a dermatologist. Here at Integrated Dermatology, we strive to help people develop good skincare routines and take care of the issue at home, but for those with severe cases we have in-office treatments to relieve the symptoms of painful breakouts. Contact us today to learn more about your options for mask acne treatment.
