"Medical beauty mask" is neither a beauty treatment nor a facial mask

Every time the seasons change, your face will always be dry and flaky. Is your response to this problem by focusing on applying facial masks during this time?

Recently, the topic "Doctors remind you not to apply facial mask as soon as your skin is dry" has become a hot topic.

Li Yanfei, director of the Medical Cosmetology Department of Nanjing Tongren Hospital, said that frequently applying facial masks without knowing the condition of your skin may indeed lead to over-hydration of the skin and dryness.

Some people’s faces get drier the more they wear masks

"Actually, the reasons for dry skin may be different for everyone. If a person who has good sebum secretion and relatively good oil feels a little dry and flaky when the seasons change, he or she can apply an appropriate amount of facial mask to relieve the symptoms. It is recommended Just apply a moisturizing mask 2-3 times a week.”

Li Yanfei, director of the Medical Cosmetology Department of Nanjing Tongren Hospital, explained that if peeling, redness, etc. appear on the face, it is due to damaged skin barrier, inflammation, etc. Even if a mask is applied, it can only provide temporary hydration and moistening. , using too much may cause over-hydration. A simple understanding is that frequent and continuous soaking of the stratum corneum in water will accelerate the shedding of the stratum corneum and fail to truly lock in the moisturizing factors. When the water evaporates, the skin will only become drier and dryer. May cause hydration dermatitis.

Director Li Yanfei just received a patient in a similar situation a few days ago. "She is a young girl in her 20s. Her skin has very thin stratum corneum and obvious red blood streaks. According to her own description, her face often stings or becomes red, hot, and very dry. Later, in When asking about her past medical history, it was found that in order to relieve these symptoms of her skin, she would often apply facial masks, but over time, her skin symptoms did not really improve, so she came to the hospital for help." The doctor advised her First, get rid of the habit of frequently applying facial masks, use repairing skin care products containing ceramide, hyaluronic acid, collagen and other ingredients, and apply sunscreen.

Are there any benefits to wearing a facial mask?

"Of course, this does not mean that applying a facial mask is not good. For skin under normal conditions, applying it 1-2 times a week is enough, for 15-20 minutes each time. Before applying the facial mask, you must clean your face well to prevent epidermal damage. Dust, oil, and aged cuticles will penetrate into the pores along with the nutrients, causing them to become clogged." Li Yanfei added that if you use an ordinary cosmetic mask with more complex ingredients, it may cause some additional burden on the skin. It’s best to wash it off afterwards and then apply a moisturizing cream.

In winter, the temperature continues to drop, and the secretion of sebaceous glands decreases, which cannot meet the synthesis needs of the sebum film, reducing the skin's ability to retain water. Therefore, many people will have more or less dry skin. Applying a facial mask can indeed temporarily replenish the content of the stratum corneum. The amount of water is used, but the frequency of mask use is not directly proportional to the hydrating effect, but the more important thing is to replenish "oil".

Generally speaking, if you want your skin to be able to lock in moisture well, the best way is to increase external lipids. Therefore, after using facial masks, sprays, toners and other products, it is best to apply another layer rich in lipids. Oil-based moisturizers, such as petroleum jelly, jojoba oil, etc. This is the top priority for skin care in autumn and winter.

"Medical beauty mask" is not a facial mask

"It can remove acne, eliminate acne marks, close pores, resist aging, and repair sensitive skin..." The "medical beauty mask", which some merchants call a "skin-saving tool", has become very popular in recent years, and it is even on sale during Double Eleven this year. It’s so popular that consumers are stocking up on it for its magical “medical beauty” effects. However, experts from the Nanjing Jianye District Health Supervision Institute reminded that these so-called "mechanical facial masks" and "medical beauty masks" are actually neither medical beauty nor facial masks.

First of all, there is no such thing as a “medical beauty mask.” When it comes to "mechanical facial masks" and "medical beauty masks", do you automatically put on a filter, thinking it is more effective, safer and more reliable than ordinary facial masks? But in fact, there is no such thing as "mechanical facial mask" or "medical beauty mask"!

Under the promotion of merchants, many people mistakenly believe that "mechanical facial masks" and "medical facial masks" are more effective. Especially when paired with a "Medical Device Registration Certificate" or even a clinical report from a tertiary hospital, it looks even more convincing.

However, the State Food and Drug Administration pointed out in January 2020 that so-called "medical beauty masks" are actually medical dressings. According to the medical device management regulations, medical device products cannot be named "facial masks" and must not contain "beauty" or "health care". ” and other declarative words.

Therefore, these so-called "mechanical facial masks" are actually medical dressings and belong to the category of medical devices. Medical dressings can be in direct or indirect contact with wounds and have medical functions such as absorbing wound exudates, supporting organs, preventing adhesion, or providing a suitable environment for wound healing.

Experts point out that medical dressings have simple ingredients and are mainly used to repair the skin barrier and have no other effects. The term "medical beauty mask" was coined by businesses.

At the same time, dermatology experts remind that for consumers’ daily skin care needs, it is not recommended to use “mechanical brand” dressings. "Mechanical size" dressings can only be used under certain circumstances. For example, when the skin is damaged, medical dressings should be used under the guidance of a doctor.

How to choose a reliable facial mask?

1. Choose a suitable facial mask according to your skin type. If you have oily skin, you can choose a facial mask with hydrating and oil-controlling effects to restore the skin's water-oil balance. In addition to normal moisturizing and moisturizing, combination skin also needs special care in key areas such as the T-zone and forehead. Sensitive skin is more suitable for natural ingredient masks. Dry skin can choose a cooling and soothing moisturizing mask in summer.

2. Reject cheap three-no masks. Facial masks are applied on the face, so you must be clear about the source and brand of the mask. You can check the mask brand on the official website of the State Food and Drug Administration to make sure it is not a three-no product before buying it.

3. It is not a so-called quick-acting facial mask. Fast-acting facial masks generally contain certain special chemical ingredients, which can allow the skin to see obvious effects in a short period of time. For example, if the mask contains fluorescent agents, it can whiten the skin in a short period of time, making your skin whiter in a short period of time. It changes a lot over time, but long-term use can cause serious skin problems.

When buying facial masks, don’t follow the trend, correctly understand the actual effects of “mechanical brand” dressings, and choose a regular facial mask that suits you.