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

Sae-Ra Park, Jiyeon Han, Yeong Min Yeon, Na Young Kang, Eunjoo Kim, Sae-Ra Park, Jiyeon Han, Yeong Min Yeon, Na Young Kang, Eunjoo Kim

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; face mask; perioral area; skin characteristics; skin hydration; skin redness; skin temperature.

© 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Image of the measuring areas by skin characteristics. Mask‐wearing area: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9; non–mask‐wearing area: 1, 7, 8; skin temperature and sebum: 1, 2, 3, 4; trans‐epidermal water loss (TEWL): 4, 6; recovery of skin barrier: 8, 9; skin hydration: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7; skin redness: 1, 2; skin elasticity: 2, 7
Figure 2
Figure 2
Image of the skin temperature variations after mask‐wearing over time
Figure 3
Figure 3
The skin temperature measurements after wearing the KF94 mask. The skin temperature measurement before and after mask‐wearing for each measurement area (A). The rate of change in skin temperature according to the time of wearing the mask compared with before wearing the mask (B). *P < .05, **P < .005, ***P < .001 1 or 6 h after wearing a mask vs before wearing a mask. †<.05, ††P < .005, †††P < .001 non–mask‐wearing area vs mask‐wearing area
Figure 4
Figure 4
Image of the skin redness variations after mask‐wearing over time
Figure 5
Figure 5
The skin redness measurement after wearing the KF94 mask. The skin redness measurements before and after wearing the mask for forehead and cheeks (A). The rate of change in skin redness according to the time of wearing the mask compared with before wearing the mask (B)
Figure 6
Figure 6
The skin hydration measurements after wearing the KF94 mask. The skin hydration before and after wearing of the mask for each measurement area (A). The rate of change in skin hydration according to the time of wearing the mask compared with before wearing the mask (B)

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Source: PubMed

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