Effect of face mask on skin characteristics changes during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Issue 4 (20th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Park, Sae‐ra; Han, Jiyeon; Yeon, Yeong Min; Kang, Na Young; Kim, Eunjoo
• Is Part Of: Skin research and technology. Volume 27:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 554
• Page End: 559
• Publication Date: 2020-11-20
• Subjects: COVID‐19 -- face mask -- perioral area -- skin characteristics -- skin hydration -- skin redness -- skin temperature; Skin -- Research -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Skin -- Physiology -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/srt.12983
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0909-752X

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Previous studies have demonstrated the possibility of adverse effects of prolonged wearing of personal protective equipment in healthcare workers. However, there are a few studies about the effects on skin characteristics after wearing a mask for non‐healthcare workers. In this study, we evaluated the dermatologic effects of wearing a mask on the skin over time. Materials and Method: Twenty‐one healthy men and women participated in the study. All participants wore masks for 6 hours consecutively. Three measurements were taken (a) before wearing the mask, (b) after wearing the mask for 1 hour, and (c) after wearing the mask for 6 hours. Skin temperature, skin redness, sebum secretion, skin hydration, trans‐epidermal water loss, and skin elasticity were measured. Results: The skin temperature, redness, hydration, and sebum secretion were changed significantly after 1 and 6 hours of wearing a mask. Skin temperature, redness, and hydration showed significant differences between the mask‐wearing area and the non–mask‐wearing area. Conclusion: Mask‐wearing conditions and time can change several skin characteristics. In particular, it is revealed that the perioral area could be most affected.