Wearing a face mask remains an effective way to protect both yourself and the wider community from contagious airborne diseases like COVID-19. Knowing that people could get sick during any season of the year, it's good to wear a mask all year round. But doing so can, admittedly, be rather uncomfortable in the summer. If you aren't wearing the right type of mask or if it doesn't sit comfortably on your face, you may experience stuffiness, chafing on your skin, or a "mask-ne" problem, among others.
How can you strike a balance between feeling safe and feeling comfy when you're wearing your face mask in hot weather? Here are five tips to beat the heat and humidity of summer while ensuring that the face mask stays on.
Use a Mask Made of Breathable Material
Contrary to what some may believe, wearing a mask is not supposed to make you feel like it's hard to breathe. A good face mask will be able to filter out viruses without inhibiting your breathing.
All the same, some mask fabrics tend to feel heavy on the face, and they may also get damp easily in hot or humid weather. This may account for the stuffiness you feel when you wear them.
For maximum comfort on sweltering days, make sure to use a mask that's made out of light and breathable material. Your two best options are single-use surgical masks or cloth masks with at least two layers made out of absorbent fabric like cotton.
Look for Different Mask Options for Different Physical Activities
It's also a good idea to have different mask options ready during the summertime. Your go-to mask for simple indoor activities may not be as comfortable or ergonomic if you use it for summer activities like sports. But changing up the type of mask you wear or the accessories you pair with your mask could easily solve the problem.
Consider shopping for an antimicrobial face mask that goes around the neck for your next biking trip or outdoor hike. If you know you'll be wearing your mask outside for an extended period, you can also lessen the discomfort you feel at the back of your head by using accessories to stretch the ear loops. Try pairing your mask with a headband that has buttons on its side and winding the ear loops around them. Alternatively, you can stretch your mask loops with an "ear saver" product.
Go Easy on Your Makeup to Avoid Summer "Mask-ne"
Another problem that may arise from wearing a mask in the hotter months is "mask-ne," or mask-related acne. Wearing a mask for an extended period, especially at the peak of summertime, can make you sweat more and increase your skin's production of sebum or skin oil. This, in turn, may clog your pores and instigate acne.
The quickest fixes to this problem are choosing a more breathable mask and going easy on products that may irritate your skin further, like face powder or foundation. When you know you'll be wearing your mask out for a long time, reduce the amount of product on your face. Be conscientious as well about washing your face and applying moisturizer to your skin.
Wash and Dry Your Reusable Face Mask After Every Use
Dirt, dampness, and unpleasant odors may also contribute to your discomfort while wearing a mask in the summer. To address general unease when you're masked up, and to prevent other problems like chafing and rashes, always make sure that you're wearing a clean and dry mask.
Reusable masks should be handwashed with soap and water after every use, and they should be thoroughly dried before the wearer puts them back on. Remember to put extra care into washing and drying your mask if you've worn it out for typical summer activities like going to the beach, thus taking out traces of rough sand or pungent-smelling seawater.
Rest Your Glasses or Shades on the Mask to Prevent Fogging
Yet another problem that you may encounter when wearing a face mask in the summer is fogging on your eyeglass or sunglass lenses. The fog may not last very long, but it can be very inconvenient when you're driving, biking, or doing any other activity that demands full visibility.
The simplest remedy is to let your eyeglasses or shades sit directly on the surface of the mask instead of on the unmasked portion of your nose. Doing this will keep the lenses out of the way when warm water vapor exits from the top of your mask.
You can also explore nifty solutions like micropore surgical tape or anti-fogging solution recommended to you by your optometrist. These solutions should give you an easier time keeping that pesky fog off your lenses.
As demonstrated in the tips above, there are several ways to achieve extra relief when wearing a face mask in the summer. Don't let the heat stop you from having fun, going about your daily activities, and shielding you and your loved ones from sickness.