Maskne or Mascne…
Who cares how we spell it! It is an unnecessary evil that has come to stay as long as there is Covid-19 and we are compelled to wear masks.
Soon after Covid hit the world, we started hearing the word “Maskne” being bandied around.
But what is Maskne and what causes it?
Mask Acne is clearly caused by wearing masks for long periods of time; not washing them regularly or changing disposable ones daily. Touching your face also exacerbates the condition.
Moisture and bacteria are trapped inside the mask. This creates a seal which prevents moisture from escaping, resulting in a humid environment where acne-causing bacteria thrive, clogging your pores.
A mask also traps humidity due to your breathing and sweating and this also increases the risk of break-outs.
Friction is another cause; the material of the face covering rubs against your skin, leading to irritation.
You may also be sensitive or allergic to the fabric of the covering. Some masks are pre-treated with chemicals or the detergent you are using to wash it in may cause a reaction.
Did you know Maskne can be one of several skin conditions?
“Maskne” is a general umbrella term for various skin conditions. It can include –
- Acne – happens when your pores become clogged with oil, dead skin cells and dirt. This can cause pimples, whiteheads or blackheads.
- Contact Dermatitis – this mainly occurs when one is allergic or sensitive to the fabric of the mask. It can result in a red, crusty rash along with irritation and blisters.
- Rosacea – if you have underlying Rosacea – a skin condition that causes redness and often pus-filled bumps on the face – wearing a mask can cause flare-ups. This can lead to exacerbated redness and pimples.
- Folliculitis – is an infection of the hair follicles that causes bumps that look like an acne break-out. It may also cause itchiness and pain.
How do we treat Maskne at The Goddess Factor® Medical Aesthetics?
Like with any skincare regime, cleansing is of utmost importance. Keep the skin and your hands clean at all times. Following a good skin care regime like Dr Gobac® Cosmeceuticals and specifically the Tx Range for Acne will yield the best results.
Treatment Procedure
- Firstly we will conduct a detailed complimentary consultation with assessment of the client’s diet, health history including any underlying skin conditions, medication/supplements & lifestyle
- A skin analysis is done on cleansed skin without make-up or product
- Depending on the stage of acne or breakout, a Deep Cleanse will be done with extractions if necessary. It is important to disinfect as well as dehydrate the affected area with our High Frequency device using Ozone 3.
Two Treatment Options are available depending on the type of break-out
- Mezotix™ Fractional Skin Rejuvenation – this state of the art German device is target specific and can treat and alleviate Active Acne, because of its thermal anti-bacterial effect. It is in essence superior Microneedling without the needles or need for serum, because the device has a Titanium tip.
The Goddess Factor® results after 3 sessions of Mezotix and Dr Gobac TX Range
(The client and his parents consented to us using his before & after photos)
- Dr Gobac® Clarity Cleanse Facial, High Frequency & Spot Treatment. This is for clients who have initial symptoms of Maskne, to prevent it from becoming active acne.
What can I expect after the treatment?
After the Dr Gobac® Deep Cleanse, the skin may be a little red, but it will clear up quickly.
With cutting edge Mezotix™ treatment there will be downtime with redness and maybe some swelling for 3 – 4 days. The skin will have minor insurrections – meaning the pores are open – so bacteria and contamination must be kept at bay at all costs.
We advise in both cases, in order to stop the spread of further bacteria, rather wear a Perspex dome mask that covers the whole face, instead of a chin/nose mask at this time. If you can abstain from going out and not wear a mask for a few days, it’s even better.
What Homecare regime should I follow?
- Keep your hands squeaky clean
- Do not touch your face or the treated area
- Use a clean pillow case
- Refrain from wearing scarves or collars that can contaminate the area
- Do not expose the treated area to sun, heat or friction
- Clean your face and treated area well with Dr Gobac® Wash or Tx Wash for problem skin
- Keep the skin well moisturised with either Dr Gobac® Starter Cream, Day Cream or TX Day & Night Cream for problem skin. These products all contain active ingredients to help the skin heal quicker. Our Somatologist will advise which product is best suited for your skin
- Always use a good homecare routine in order to continue and enhance the work done in our Goddess Clinic
How do I minimize the risk of breaking out with Maskne?
- Firstly, you have to make sure you wash your hands properly with soap and water and try not to touch your face. We are all human and we all touch our faces, but we have to make a concerted effort not to!
- Secondly, remove the mask when it is not necessary to wear it.
- Thirdly, if you wear a cloth or neoprene mask, wash it daily with fragrance-free soap or detergent – to alleviate allergic reaction – and make sure it’s dry before you wear it. If you wear disposable masks, change them daily or even more than once per day when exercising, doing sport or sweat inducing work.
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