With facemasks now part of our everyday life, our expert wound care nurses have created a list of top tips to keep our skin safe while wearing facemasks.
Tissue viability nurse Emma Hale said: “We’re all wearing masks and with that can come irritation, cuts and sores.
“Our tips might seem common sense, but we know from experience that lots of people aren’t really considering how masks can affect their skin. The skin on your face is sensitive and not used to having fabric and elastic rubbing against it.
“Just take a little time to care for your skin, it’s worth it in the long run.”
Top tips
- Avoid soap – it can be harsh
- Use a soap-free face wash or low pH soap
- Use warm, not hot, water and pat dry
- Shave in the direction of hair growth
- Use moisturiser throughout the day
- Regularly inspect your skin
- Keep well hydrated
Skincare tips
Hello, my name is Emma Hale, I’m a tissue viability nurse for North Tees and Hartlepool.
As we wear our face masks more and more each day, we thought it would be a good idea as a team to share some useful tips to maintain a good skincare regime.
Avoid soap as it can be harsh and irritative to the skin. Use a soap free or low pH balance soap as an alternative.
Use warm, not hot, water to wash your face.
Try to pat instead of rubbing your face.
For those men amongst us, shave in the direction of hair growth.
Apply a regular face moisturiser of your choice throughout the day to both the face and the neck.
Keep well-hydrated.
And regularly inspect your skin for signs of redness or soreness.
If you have any concerns, speak to your healthcare professional.
Thank you.
For up-to-date information about wearing facemasks in our hospitals, visit our coronavirus page.