BOZEMAN — Being in Montana, we know a thing or two about certain conditions that might irritate our skin like the dry climate.
But now some people are dealing with a new condition called maskne.
“We’ve been seeing an increased amount of acne or so-called maskne,” said Angie Karr, the owner of Skyn.
The esthetician has been in the skincare business for years but this is something a little different than normal.
“We’re seeing a lot of symptoms such as chafing, pimples, pustules, irritation of the chin area, and also an increased amount of rosacea and dermatitis,” Karr explained.
Which can be a side-effect from the safety practice of mask-wearing.
“Naturally, on our skin, we have oil, and bacteria, and dead skin cells. So, essentially it’s clogging the pores, and when you’re wearing these masks that bacteria and those issues are just building up and building up underneath the masks,” she said.
But this in no way is a reason not to wear masks. All you have to do is make some simple adjustments.
“Wash your face and moisturize. Clean your masks constantly. Get a new mask every single day. If you’re wearing a disposable mask, dispose of them after every single use. Not wearing makeup underneath your masks is really, really important,” Karr said.
It can seem like a frivolous problem for some, but for others, it’s causing serious issues.
“Some people will have these superficial breakouts. But other people we’re seeing having these cystic breakouts as a result of this,” the skincare specialist said.
The views expressed in this story do not take the place of medical advice, and if you are experiencing problems, you should consult with a medical professional.