During the COVID-19 pandemic, health protocols must still be followed, including wearing a mask every time you go outside. However, continuous use of masks can cause a skin epidemic. What is a skindemic and what is the solution?
Skindemic is a problem on facial skin that occurs due to using masks for too long. This term is also called maskne. On the other hand, wearing a mask is very important to reduce the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
When experiencing a skindemic, the skin will become dull, red, itchy, and prone to breakouts, especially in areas covered by masks, such as the nose, chin, and lower cheeks. These skin problems can also appear more easily when coupled with excessive stress or anxiety.
The Reason Using Masks Every Day Can Cause Skindemic
The use of masks for a long time makes the facial skin continue to rub against the mask. This friction triggers skin irritation, so the facial skin will become inflamed and pimples appear more easily.
In addition, breathing and talking while wearing a mask will also trap heat which makes facial skin too moist. This condition not only causes clogged pores, but also makes it easier for bacteria and germs to multiply.
The combination of irritation, skin that is too moist, and the large number of bacteria on the facial skin is what causes various skindemic problems, ranging from blackheads, rosacea, folliculitis, to acne.
Apart from the use of masks, epidemics can also occur due to you being at home too long, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic like now. Various things can be the cause, such as:
Stress
Stress is often experienced by some people as a result of the pandemic. Economic and social factors are often the trigger. Stress can cause increased production of the hormone cortisol or stress hormone. This hormone can make the skin more oily so prone to breakouts.
Use of air conditioner
Being in an air-conditioned room for too long can cause the skin to dry easily, making it itchy and scaly. Therefore, if your house uses air conditioning, you are recommended to regularly use a humidifier while at home.
In addition to the two things above, a epidemic can also be triggered by an uncontrolled diet during a pandemic. This can make the skin lack of nutrients so that it triggers skin problems.
How to Overcome Skindemic
In addition to causing discomfort, skin disease can also interfere with appearance and reduce self-confidence. Therefore, you need to know the right way to deal with it.
The following are some facial skin care steps that you can apply to overcome skindemic:
1. Wear a clean mask
The first step you can take to overcome the skindemic is to wear a clean mask. Immediately replace the mask when it is dirty, even though it is not time to replace it.
If you wear a surgical mask, be sure to change it whenever it gets too damp. To make it easier, you can bring some spare masks when doing activities outside the house.
If you wear a cloth mask, do not use it repeatedly and wash the mask after each use. In addition, you are also advised to wash the cloth mask with hot water to kill germs that stick to the surface of the cloth.
2. Clean your face regularly
Clean your face at least 2 times a day, especially when you return home after activities outside. Not only to prevent the spread of the Corona virus, cleaning the face is also important to overcome the skindemic.
You can choose an alcohol-free facial cleanser that contains linoleic acid or sunflower seed oil which is antibacterial, so it is able to fight bacteria that cause skindemic.
In addition, to maintain facial skin moisture, you can use a facial cleanser containing emollients, such as glycerin and dimethicone, which can prevent facial skin from becoming dry and irritated so that it is easy to break out.
Facial cleansing products containing rose flower extract (rose extract) is also good for skin health. This is thanks to the antioxidant content of flavonoids and polyphenols that can overcome skin irritation. On the other hand, rose extract It also contains natural moisturizers, so your skin doesn't dry out easily.
3. Use a moisturizer
The next way to deal with skin diseases is to use moisturizer regularly so that facial skin is hydrated and not dull.
Choose a facial moisturizer made from gentle ingredients with ceramides which can relieve irritation and itching due to friction between the skin and the mask.
4. Use sunscreen
Use sunscreen or day cream with an SPF of 30 or more, about 15 minutes before you leave the house. This is important to do to protect the skin from exposure to UV rays of the sun that cause hyperpigmentation and skin cancer.
Choose sunscreen or day cream with ingredients titanium oxide or zinc oxide which can reduce the risk of irritation of the facial skin due to the use of masks.
5. Limit use make up
Skindemic can indeed interfere with appearance. Even so, try not to cover it up with make up in excess, because it can lead to clogging of the pores causing blackheads and acne.
If you want to use make up, use products that do not contain perfume and are free of oil, so that the skin disease you experience does not get worse.
6. Don't touch your face
Make sure you wash your hands with soap and water before touching your face. This is important to do to reduce the risk of transferring germs from your hands to your face.
Apart from triggering acne breakouts, touching your face with dirty hands can also increase the risk of transmitting COVID-19.
now, the various ways to overcome the above are also a solution to prevent facial skin from being skinemic, and to keep it healthy and bright even though you have to use a mask all day.
If the epidemic has not been resolved even though you have done the above methods, you can consult a doctor. The doctor will conduct an examination and provide facial skin care according to your skin condition.
