Struggling with Maskne? Here’s How IPL Photorejuvenation Can Get Your Mask Acne Under Control
Struggling with Maskne? Here’s How IPL Photorejuvenation Can Get Your Mask Acne Under Control
There’s no denying that masks are an important provision against COVID-19. With that said, many people have started noticing and unfortunate consequence of consistent mask usage: acne. “Maskne” can be a real bummer, leaving you stuck between a rock and a hard place: doing your part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 without sacrificing the health of your skin. Luckily, there are treatments in place to help keep your skin healthy, glowing, and acne-free. That starts with IPL Photorejuvenation. Today, we’re going over how IPL Photorejuvenation can get your mask acne under control (and other ways you can stop it from revisiting uninvited).
What is “Maskne?”
You may have guessed this, but “maskne” is essentially acne that pops up as a result of consistent mask usage. These blemishes tend to be located around the chin and lower cheeks, which are the spots most often covered by a standard mask.
The most common kind of acne is caused by oils and bacteria becoming trapped under the skin. When you wear masks for several hours in a day, your pores can’t breathe as freely as they would be able to otherwise. As a result, it’s common for your face’s natural oils to become trapped under the mask’s material. This, in turn, leads to increased buildup and – you guessed it – maskne.
What is IPL Photorejuvenation and How Can It Help?
If you have acne-prone skin, maskne can quickly become more than a nuisance; it can turn into a painful source of blemishes and even scarring. Whether your otherwise clear skin is suffering from a one-off case of maskne or you’ve dealt with acne for years, it could be worthwhile to consider IPL Photorejuvenation.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Photorejuvenation is a non-invasive technique that uses pulsed light to treat imperfections in the skin, including acne scarring, brown spots, and sun damage, among others. It can also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and even small scars on the face. If your skin has been through the wringer as a result of mask usage, this easy, non-surgical procedure can be a fantastic and effective way to give it a refresher.
Tips for Preventing Maskne
As is the case with any other type of acne, maskne can be prevented by a few lifestyle habits with varying degrees of success:
- Switch out or wash your mask daily. Don’t re-use a mask that’s been used before; it’s likely that acne-causing oils and bacteria are right on the fabric, waiting to touch your skin. Make sure you wash your masks after each day of use to help curb the spread of bacteria onto your skin.
- Use a lightweight mask material. Try to shy away from any materials that will cause your skin to perspire more than necessary. Of course, it’s important to still make sure that the material you use makes for an effective barrier. 100% cotton is a good choice if you’re wearing a fabric mask.
- Simplify your skincare. When more blemishes appear, it can feel intuitive to turn to more skincare solutions. However, the answer might be in using less. Your skin is already going through a lot – don’t irritate it further by introducing a bunch of new products. Stick with a gentle cleanser, toner, and moisturizer for daily use.
Maskne can be an extremely inconvenient part of mask usage, but rest assured that there are resources at your disposal to help curb it. By making small, sustainable changes to your skincare routine and looking into effective non-invasive procedures like IPL Photorejuvenation, you’ll be well on your way to getting your skin in better shape than ever.
Interested in learning more about IPL Photorejuvenation and other procedures that can help keep your skin healthy and spotless? Schedule a comprehensive consultation with us.