Department of Dermatology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2022 Nov;38(6):548-554. doi: 10.1111/phpp.12788. Epub 2022 Apr 10.
Wearing a face mask is one of the most effective personal protective strategies to diminish the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Several dermatological outcomes were reported because of the prolonged use of face masks, especially due to the constant mask-on policy, but the photoprotective effect of face masks has received less attention.
The aim of this study was to provide guidance in the use of face masks by comparing the photoprotective effects of routinely used masks.
A total of 12 frequently used face masks were tested, including certified respirators, Korea filter (KF)94, KF-anti-droplet (KF-AD), and KF80. The amount of light that penetrates each face mask was measured using a light sensor that can quantify Ultraviolet A (UVA), visible light (VL), and infrared A (IR-A) rays.
Black-colored KF94 masks and surgical masks reduced penetration of UVA, VL, and IR-A by approximately 100%. The UVA penetration decreased on average by 95.51%, 90.97%, 85.06%, and 86.41% with white-colored KF94, KF-AD, KF80, and surgical masks, respectively. The VL and IR-A were blocked by approximately 75.58%, 66.16%, 59.18%, and 64.48% with white-colored KF94, KF-AD, KF80, and surgical masks, respectively.
In conclusion, the different photoprotective effectiveness of face masks was mainly determined by colors, and therefore, black-colored, multi-layered respirators can be recommended in terms of photoprotection in the COVID-19 pandemic. The quantified comparative results will be helpful to the person with pre-existing photo-aggravated dermatosis, especially in the season of the high intensity of sunlight.
佩戴口罩是减少 2019 年冠状病毒病（COVID-19）传播的最有效个人防护策略之一。由于长时间使用口罩，特别是由于持续的口罩政策，已经报告了几种皮肤科结果，但口罩的光保护作用却受到较少关注。
本研究旨在通过比较常用口罩的光保护效果，为口罩的使用提供指导。
共测试了 12 种常用口罩，包括认证的呼吸器、KF94、KF-抗飞沫（KF-AD）和 KF80。使用可以量化紫外线 A（UVA）、可见光（VL）和红外线 A（IR-A）射线的光传感器测量每种口罩穿透的光量。
黑色 KF94 口罩和手术口罩可使 UVA、VL 和 IR-A 的穿透量减少约 100％。白色 KF94、KF-AD、KF80 和手术口罩的 UVA 穿透量平均减少了 95.51％、90.97％、85.06％和 86.41％。VL 和 IR-A 分别被白色 KF94、KF-AD、KF80 和手术口罩阻挡了约 75.58％、66.16％、59.18％和 64.48％。
总之，口罩的不同光保护效果主要由颜色决定，因此，在 COVID-19 大流行期间，可推荐使用黑色、多层呼吸器进行光保护。量化的比较结果将有助于患有光加重性皮肤病的人，特别是在阳光强烈的季节。
