Treating Mask-ne

1615934885 2529b6eb 8335 4c51 b873 f3d3a0e17060 Wearing a mask when and as recommended is an important way of preventing the transmission of COVID-19. Nonetheless, many of us are less than thrilled by some of the skin problems that mask wear can lead to:

  • Zits and pimples
  • Breakouts
  • Redness
  • Irritation

There could be a few reasons your skin is reacting poorly to wearing a mask. First of all, the mask holds in humidity from breathing and sweating, which can trigger a breakout. The mask can also hold in built-up oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, all of which contribute to clogged pores and acne. It could also be the mask itself that is irritating your skin because of friction, rubbing, or a mild allergic reaction to the mask material or laundry detergent.

So those are the potential causes, but what are you supposed to do about it? Here are a few tips:

Clean your skin daily: Use a mild, preferably unscented cleanser and wash your face twice daily. Apply a moisturizer to protect your skin and prevent dryness caused by mask fabric.

Skip cosmetics: At least in the area under the mask, skip the use of foundation or other makeup. These products can clog pores even under normal circumstances, and adding the humidity caused by the mask can worsen the problem of clogged pores.

Wash reusable masks regularly: Preferably you’d wash your mask after every use. Laundry detergent should be unscented and hypoallergenic to prevent irritation and contact dermatitis.

Throw out disposable masks after one use: Don’t reuse them because it’s bad for your skin, and the worn mask may have bacteria and germs on it after a day of use.

Professional Treatments for Acne

There are many face treatments at our practice that are a great way to address acne head-on, including:

  • A treatment prized by some of today’s most youthful-looking celebrities, HydraFacial uses vortex technology to simultaneously cleanse, extract, hydrate, and nourish the skin. The HydraFacial removes the dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria that cause acne. This gentle but effective facial can be repeated to maintain great-looking skin throughout the years.
  • Chemical Peel. The chemical peel process involves cleansing the skin and applying a solution that causes the top layer of skin to exfoliate and peel away. A glycolic acid peel can be especially beneficial for people with breakouts.

Ask our team about other treatments that are well-suited to treating maskne and restoring clear, beautiful skin.

Arrange a Consultation to Learn More

For customized skin care recommendations for maskne, acne, and all other skin problems, please call the practice of Dr. Elisa Burgess in Lake Oswego at 503-699-6464.

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OFFICE DETAILS

16865 Boones Ferry Rd, Suite 101
Lake Oswego, OR 97035

Monday-Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday hours available by appointment

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