Effect of face mask on skin characteristics changes during the COVID‐19 pandemic

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.

Changes in skin wrinkles and pores due to long‐term mask wear

“…A2, facial skin area covered by the mask where moisturizer was applied in others, it was difficult to confirm that the skin becomes dry and less elastic due to wearing a mask. One recent study found that skin moisture in the cheek area around the mouth decreased after mask wear but did not find a change in skin moisture in the chin area 18 ; however, the duration of mask wear was shorter in that study than in our study. Therefore, additional studies of the effects of long-term mask wear on skin moisture and elasticity are required.…”

Skin adverse events related to personal protective equipment: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…, Supporting Information). Eleven studies evaluated the skin effects related to mask wearing 21–31 . Four studies analysed the overall prevalence of skin side events related to mask wearing 21–24 (Table 2).…”

“…The effect in skin barrier function between surgical mask and N95 one has been evaluated in three studies 27,29,30 . Two studies showed higher transepidermal water loss (TEWL) values on the mask‐covered area compared with the non‐covered, 29,30 while another two investigations did not report changes between both areas 28,31 . Comparing different types of masks, it was observed that temperature increase was higher when using a N95 mask (1.2 vs. 0.7°C) 28 .…”

“…The media prevalence of skin side events related to mask use was 57.17% after conducting a random effect meta-analysis weighted by the study sample size, Figure S2. Eleven studies Accepted Article evaluated the skin effects related to mask wearing [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] . Four studies analyzed the overall prevalence of skin side events related to mask wearing [21][22][23][24] , Table 2.…”

“…In addition, five studies evaluated skin barrier function impairment due to mask wearing [27][28][29][30][31] , Table 3. Temperature 27,28,30,31 and redness or erythema [28][29][30] were higher while stratum corneum hydration (SCH) [28][29][30] was lower on the mask covered area compared to the non-covered one. Controversial results were observed in other parameters.…”