ROMA – That of 2021 will be, pending a relaxation of the anti-Covid measures, the second summer with masks. But how can you cope with them in the hottest temperatures? There are several suggestions: among these, use white Ce certified masks, in natural or hypoallergenic fabrics, avoid make-up if you know you have to wear them for a long time and take care of your skin with sunscreens.
The advice comes from Sidemast dermatologists, the Italian Society of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, which have created a handbook to encourage the difficult coexistence between rising temperatures and masks. The heat worsens the discomfort that patients complain about in the skin: itching, burning, erythema, scaling of the skin and irritation.
And the situation gets worse if you suffer from diseases such as acne, which despite being a typically adolescent disorder affects 15% of adults, or rosacea which affects more than 3 million Italians. It is no coincidence that we speak of “maskne”, a term that derives from the fusion of “mask” and “acne”. And there are those who define “Covid face” as a face that can age up to 5 years in just 6 months of the pandemic with the accentuation of bags, dark circles, wrinkles, withered skin, dull eyes.
Among the indications of dermatologists, the change or regular washing of the mask (with neutral or biological detergents), and the choice in the morning, upon awakening, to make a targeted cleansing with slightly more acidic and sebum-regulating detergents, but always delicate. The utmost care is indicated in the choice of products for cleansing and hydration routines.
Skin hydration is essential: that’s why doctors suggest applying the cream at least thirty minutes before putting on the mask. In addition, to prevent damage such as abrasions or irritation, a hydrocolloid dressing can be used to be placed under the eyelids or on the bridge of the nose. But if an inflammation should still occur, contact the dermatologist immediately.
In addition, the utmost attention must be paid to nutrition, avoiding too much sugar and alcohol and opting for a Mediterranean diet. Gabriella Fabbrocini, councilor of Sidemast, underlines that “90% of patients in fact attribute the worsening of acne and rosacea to the use of the mask and 30% declare that the disease has become less or exacerbated due to it”.
«The dermatitis – says Pasquale Frascione, Sidemast vice president – they can be caused, for example, by the composition of the elastic or by the sensitivity to the metal used to model the mask on the nose ». For Ketty Peris, president Sidemast, «the worsening» of rosacea «is due to what we could define an” occlusive or condensation “effect, unfortunately destined to increase due to the heat, which is the primary enemy of rosacea».