January 2022

January 2022

Mask acne or “maskne,” a new term introduced during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, refers to a form of mechanical acne arising from reusable mask-wearing for textile–skin friction between the skin and face-mask. The use of textile masks limits the spread of biofluids and the risk of COVID19 contagion but also influences the skin microbiota, leading to dysbiosis of the microbiome. An increase in skin irritation, exacerbation of chronic dermatoses, perioral dermatitis, rosacea and eczema, and discomfort in the patients with masks-wearing has been shown. The skin microbiota is affected by face-mask material/design; in fact, natural fibers offer great breathability in respect to the synthetic fibers but they increase saturation levels. To treat the microbiota dysbiosis induced by the use of masks, biofunctional textiles with antimicrobial agents have been developed. These new biofunctional textiles based mask represent a new and valid strategy to counter the spread of COVID19 and reduce skin irritation.

Suggested by Melissa Mastrocola and Antonietta Longo for you.

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