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Abstract
Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, standard operating procedures such as mask usage have been set into place. They limit the transfer of infectious droplets and prevent contraction of the disease. They however, also create a hot and humid environment that blocks pilosebaceous units leading to acne. This study aimed to assess the association of acne with different factors of face mask usage in patients presenting to the OPD.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Mayo Hospital and Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. The questionnaire had three parts dealing with socio-demographic factors, details of facemask usage and details of acne respectively. Responses were collected and compiled into a written questionnaire, and the data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0.
Results: Among 204 respondents, 86.8% were female. 106 (51.9%) patients observed an increase in acne severity and 98 (48%) patients observed a decreased/constant state of acne severity. Type of facemask used and treatment for acne were significantly associated with acne severity (p <0.05). No other variable including duration of mask usage, frequency of mask changing, skin type, use of comedogenic products, or frequency of face washing yielded significant results.
Conclusion: Our study suggests that acne severity increases with the use of stronger masks such as N-95 and KN-95 as compared to cloth and surgical masks. This could contribute to the development of targeted interventions aimed at minimizing the risk of acne onset and flares in the general population.