Face Mask Hygiene

 

Think about the moisture and the bacteria that builds up in a mask as we wear it.   You are talking, your saliva has been going into the mask, your sweat from your face has been going into the mask…  You don’t want to wear that same mask again the next day.  And what exactly is that doing to my skin?

  MASK ACNE?  

Mask acne, or “Maskne” is most likely to occur if you wear your mask for extended amounts of time without proper care.   Masks trap the moisture, the sweat, the oils, and dirt right on to our face, clogging your pores.  Even breathing into your mask can cause bacteria to form on the fabric.  All of this can lead to acne, small bumps, pseudofolliculitis, inflamed hair follicles, irritation, pressure sores, broken blood vessels, contact dermatitis. 

Dermatologists recommend using a gentle cleanser, applying a moisturizer that creates a barrier, wearing little or no makeup, and exfoliating regularly.  

Keep your face clean and keep your mask clean!  This is why we say:

    TREAT YOUR MASK LIKE YOUR     UNDERWEAR 

• ALWAYS WEAR IT IN PUBLIC
• MAKE SURE IT COVERS THE IMPORTANT PARTS
• DO NOT TOUCH IT OR ADJUST IT IN PUBLIC
• DO NOT SHARE IT WITH OTHERS
• WEAR THE CORRECT SIDE OUT AND UP
• IF IT HAS HOLES, THROW IT OUT
• SOME OF US MAY HAVE TO WRITE OUR NAMES ON IT
• MAKE SURE IT IS TIGHT, BUT COMFORTABLE
• CHANGE IT DAILY
• IF IT IS MADE OF CLOTH, WASH AND DRY IT THOROUGHLY BEFORE REUSE

  CARE AND HANDLING OF CLOTH MASKS 

• CLEAN YOUR HANDS BEFORE AND AFTER TOUCHING YOUR MASK.  THIS MEANS PUTTING ON, ADJUSTING, AND TAKING IT OFF.  AVOID CROSS-CONTAMINATION.
• WEAR IT CORRECTLY.  COVER BOTH THE MOUTH AND NOSE.   MAKE SURE THE OUTSIDE IS OUT AND THE PROPER DIRECTION IS UP.  YOU MAY NEED TO MARK YOUR MASK TO MAKE THIS IDENTIFICATION EASIER.
• STORE YOUR MASK IN A CLEAN PLACE.  A PLASTIC BAG IS RECOMMENDED FOR WHEN STORING OR TRANSPORTING OUTSIDE OF THE HOME.  NEVER PUT YOUR MASK UNPROTECTED IN A POCKET OR PURSE.  HANGING YOUR MASK FROM THE REARVIEW MIRROR IS ALSO A BAD IDEA, SINCE IT CAN BLOCK YOUR FIELD OF VISION AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
• WASH AND DRY IT PROPERLY.  PUTTING IT IN A GARMENT BAG IS A GOOD WAY TO AVOID SNAGS IN THE LAUNDRY.

Comments?

Skincare is more than just the skin

 Great skin does not begin and end with skincare   products.  To have healthy and vibrant skin, one must   treat the whole body and mind .

  1) HAVE A COMPLETE SKINCARE REGIMEN  

Daily care depends on your skin type, but generally: Cleanse, Clarify, Moisturize, and Renew when required.  Choose your cleanser based on your type & need and use twice a day.  Clarify using a toner.  Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize - it cannot be said enough.  To enhance moisturizing, a serum is recommended.  When necessary, exfoliate to renew the skin.  And always follow the morning routine with sunscreen.  The sun can undo all your hard work in just a short time.

                                                                                                                                    

  2) A HEALTHY DIET WILL DO WONDERS  

Fruits and Vegetables are a great start, but there are many "skin-healthy" foods which can enhance your appearance.  Specifically:  Mangoes, Tomatoes, Kale, Green Tea, Soy, and foods containing Olive Oil or Omega-3's all affect the skin positively at the cellular level.   In addition, it has been shown that lowering calorie intake slows the cellular aging process.  And don't forget that drinking alcohol will dilate the pores of the skin, resulting in blackheads and whiteheads.

                                                                                                               

  3) QUIT SMOKING  

Not only will smoking contaminate your lungs, it will also prematurely age the facial skin.  It narrows blood vessels and exhausts the skin of oxygen.  Additionally, the act of smoking is likely to form wrinkles around the lip and mouth area.    

https://smokefree.gov/

                                                                                                               

  4) MINIMIZE STRESS  

Research shows that excessive stress can lead to hair loss, flaky patches on the scalp, itchy or scaly skin, hand rashes and several other problems. Reducing stress levels will lead to clearer skin.  Meditation and Yoga are great ways to reduce stress.

                                                                                                               

  5) GET YOUR BEAUTY REST  

The term Beauty Rest exists for a reason.  Getting a good night’s sleep will indeed help your skin tone and can eliminate those dark circles under your eyes. While sleeping, the skin repairs itself from daily damage such as sun exposure.  It is recommended to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night.  Sleep deprivation has been linked to several ailments, including diabetes, obesity, immune deficiency and cancer.

                                                                                                               

   BEAUTY IS ONLY SKIN DEEP  

We know that true beauty comes from within.  And skincare must be thought of in that same note.  It is much more effective when the whole mind and body are treated as well as our outer layer.  Sometimes even more so.