Face masks: Are they responsible for blemished skin and pimples?

It is warm, humid and stuffy among them: the higher the temperature, the more uncomfortable it is to wear the protective masks, which are still mandatory in many places. Especially since numerous wearers increasingly complain about pimples and blemished skin. Make-up artist Elke Kim, who has already worked with TV stars like Jenke von Wilmsdorff (54) or Daniela Katzenberger (33), says: "I'm not a doctor and I can't make a health statement, but my intuition tells me that it definitely has a negative impact on the complexion. "

The news agency spot on news has worked with dermatologist and author Dr. med. Yael Adler (46, "We don't talk about that") asked.

Is it true that wearing a respirator can have a negative effect on the complexion?

Dr. med. Yael Adler: Professional masks that are used in hospitals or doctors' offices generally do not cause any skin problems. However, if you have an existing skin disease, you may experience a worsening of your skin under a mask. This particularly affects patients with rosacea, perioral dermatitis – the so-called stewardess disease – neurodermatitis and oily eczema. These are inflammations of the skin, which can be worsened by excessive moisture and sometimes also accumulated heat. The self-sewn social masks, which you only wear for a short time and soon take them off, do not usually cause any skin problems. If they are worn longer and moist, they can irritate the skin.

How is the skin compatible with your own sweat?

Dr. med. Yael Adler: When you sweat a lot, the sweat evaporates or flows down, so sweating helps the body's temperature regulation. Sweat is an auxiliary factor: the moisture in the skin is improved and the protective acid mantle is strengthened by the excretion products in sweat. Sweat per se does not make the skin bad.

But what happens if the sweat cannot evaporate?

Dr. med. Yael Adler: If the moisture cannot evaporate well or if a greasy cream is worn on the sweating face, it may cause irritation. The jammed moisture softens the skin barrier and causes it to swell. Similar to after a long time in the swimming pool or in the bathtub. The protective greases are virtually washed out. With simple face masks made of good materials, this cannot happen. You should take them off during sports.