Mask wearing! A year ago no-one could have imagined how important the mask wearing topic would be. Skip to the present and mask wearing is more important than ever! However, how many of the below mistakes are you guilty of without even realising it? We list 7 mistakes people make, some may be obvious whilst other not so much!
1. Forgetting to Wash or Sanitise your hands before and after mask wearing
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you should wash or sanitise (with at least 60% alcohol) your hands before and after touching/removing your mask!
2. Reusing Disposable Masks
Disposable masks are designed for single use. After that they should be thrown away as they begin to break down and lose the ability to filter correctly also they begin to harbour micro-organisms. Following on from this, disposable masks should not be washed and reused. Once the disposable mask gets wet it begins to breakdown and this reduces its ability to protect you!
3. Not washing your reusable mask nearly enough
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you ‘wash your cloth mask whenever it gets dirty or at least daily.’
4. Not storing your masks correctly
- Clean masks: Your mask should be kept in a dry, breathable bag (like a paper or mesh fabric bag) to keep it clean between uses. Additionally, when reusing your mask, keep the same side facing out
- Dirty/Wet masks (sweat, saliva, make-up, or other liquids): Dirty or wet masks should be stored in a sealed plastic bag until they can be washed. Not only do wet masks not only make it more difficult to breathe but they render the mask less effective.
5. Not fully covering your Nose and mouth
Now, whilst this may seem like an obvious point, the number of people making this mistake is frightening! Someone likened it to not covering your ‘bits’ when putting on your underwear, and what’s the point in that right??
For further information see how to wear a mask see the CDC recommendations
A study published by Cell (journal) cited that “Ciliated airway cells and AT-2 cells are primary targets for SARS-CoV-2 infection”. In other words, it is critical to cover the nose when wearing a mask to significantly reduce transmission.
6. Sharing Masks
Another seemingly obvious mistake, don’t share masks! Unless of course it has been washed and cleaned.
7. You are not washing your face after wearing a mask
Noticing spots, unexplained bouts of acne (maskne) along with redness and increased sensitivity?? Well, this could be why! Now add an unwashed mask and a layer of makeup to the mix and you have a perfect storm!
Keeping your skin and mask clean is vital to maintain that that glowing and spot free complexion