Dr. Saurabh Shah - a dermatologist at Bhatia Hospital, Mumbai - said that wearing a mask often causes sweat, dirt and oil on the skin to be retained. This causes bacteria that form under the mask to continuously get into the skin through the friction between the skin and the mask, leading to clogged pores and acne appearing in areas of the mask that come into contact with the skin, such as the bridge of the nose, sides of the nose, cheeks and chin.
Here are some ways to prevent acne caused by wearing a mask:
- Use a clean mask.
- Wash your face with a mild, moisturizing cleanser.
- Exfoliate gently. However, do not rub or dry the skin with a toothpick or squash.
- Avoid foods that cause acne (such as foods with a high glycemic index or foods rich in refined sugar and carbohydrates such as candy, chocolate, cold drinks, ice cream, cheese, butter and fried foods).
- Add some natural probiotics such as curd, yogurt and starch to your daily diet to improve gut microbiota and immunity.
Wearing a mask is an important way to protect yourself from the epidemic, but make sure to follow the steps suggested by Dr. Saurabh Shah to take care of your skin and prevent acne.
