Changes in skin wrinkles and pores due to long-term mask wear.

BACKGROUND: The spread of COVID-19 has made mask wear essential. Expecting that long-term mask wear would change the characteristics of skin, this study investigated changes in skin wrinkles and pores caused by long-term mask wear and whether or not use of moisturizers has an effect on any changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study participants were 20 women who were instructed to wear a mask for at least 6 hours a day for 4 weeks. Measurements of skin wrinkles and pores were obtained before and after the 4 weeks of mask wear. The effects of application of a moisturizer were assessed by applying moisturizer within the mask-wearing area. They completed a questionnaire about skin changes at the end of the study period. RESULTS: After wearing the mask for 4 weeks, there was a significant increase in the skin wrinkles and pores; both variables decreased significantly in skin areas where a moisturizer had been applied. The results of the questionnaire-based survey indicated the study participants considered that long-term wearing of a mask had affected their skin. CONCLUSION: Wearing a mask for extended periods increases skin wrinkles and pores and using a moisturizer when wearing the mask helps to reduce this problem.

Technique for analyzing the transfer of colored cosmetics onto face masks.

BACKGROUND: With the rapid spread of COVID-19, the makeup trend in the cosmetics market is changing as mask-wearing has become a common practice. This study was conducted to establish an objective and reliable method for analyzing the transfer of colored cosmetics onto face masks. METHODS: A total of 24 women participated in this test. The participants were requested to wear Korean Filter 94 masks after having applied colored cosmetics on their faces and lips. VISIA-CR was used to photograph the face, and a camera was used to photograph the mask, which had smeared the cosmetics. Each image was analyzed using the Image-pro® 10 image analysis software. RESULTS: Immediately after applying the cosmetics, the intensity of the face decreased and the redness of the lips increased when compared with the results 30 minutes after washing the face. After wearing a mask, the intensity increased and the redness decreased when compared with immediately after applying the cosmetics. The area before and after the colored cosmetics smeared onto the mask was increased. CONCLUSION: It is expected that this study could be used as a reference for further experiments on analysis of methods for preventing mask stains.