Translate this page into:
Surgical Pearl: Modified Small Face Mask for Cosmetic Procedure on Face in the COVID-19 Era
Address for correspondence: Dr. Muhammed Mukhtar, Mukhtar Skin Centre, Katihar Medical College Road, Katihar 854105, India. E-mail: drmmukhtar20@gmail.com
This article was originally published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow and was migrated to Scientific Scholar after the change of Publisher.
Abstract
Abstract
The use of face mask is essential in COVID-19 era. During this period for cosmetic procedure on the face, the mask should be of small size and easily procured to maximize the exposure of the face especially in girls going to get married having hirsutism. For this purpose, the surgical mask is customized to get a small face mask.
Keywords
Chin
COVID-19
face mask
mentolabial sulcus (mental crease)
naso-oral mask
respiratory droplets
tapled
PROBLEM
The wearing of face masks is now essential for prevention from the deadly airborne coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The main source of the infection is respiratory droplets of infected patients.[12] In that condition, the cosmetic procedures on face should be done after putting on a mask on the face of the patient. Because the size of the available mask (7 × 4 inches) covers a major part of the cheek, it is not good for cosmetic procedures such as laser hair removal and chemical peeling on face [Figure 1A–D]. A good option is a small mask,[3] but that cannot be procured by us routinely in the clinic.[3]
- The mask put on the face in its original form showing the mask covers the major parts of the face (A); the mask and its loose border (B–D)
SOLUTION
To overcome this problem, the available ear loop face mask (two layered) is modified. First of all, the lateral sides beyond the nasal clip folded and stapled to make the width are about four inches in place of seven inches without detaching the loop of mask. After this simple modification, the size of the mask becomes 4 × 4 inches. On doing this, the mask becomes more fit on the face as compared with the mask in its original form [Figure 2A–D]. It fits more air leak proof than its original form; its height remains the same, which covers the nose, mouth, and chin [Figure 3A–D]. By doing this, the cheeks are exposed in a better way for cosmetic procedure. For doing the procedure on chin, its lower border can be placed over the infra-oral groove where it fits well and compacts the seal of the lower border. After doing this, the space volume of the mask is increased, which slows the speed of expired air. Thus it decreases the outflow of the expired air. On keeping its lower border on the mentolabial sulcus, the lateral border of the mask becomes loose. So during procedure on chin, the loose border of the mask is pinched and stapled to make it airtight [Figure 4A–D]. Thus this modified mask is more voluminous and compact, which could be a better option for an emergency cosmetic procedure especially for laser hair removal for a girl going to get married having hirsutism over her beard area of face. The mask is put on and its compliance is clinically checked out by putting hands on its border and feeling insignificant outflow of air during forceful respiration and coughing, which is comparable with its original form of the mask. Thus a modified small mask is a good option for cosmetic procedure on a major part of the cheek and chin of the face at least during the COVID-19 era and viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.
- The mask is modified to exposed major part of cheek for cosmetic procedure (A–D)
- The modified mask is tightly fit and covers the nose, mouth, and chin, exposing an extra part of the face (A–D)
- The lateral border of the modified mask is made compact by stapling after keeping its lower border on mentolabial sulcus (A–D)
Declaration of patient consent
The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form, the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
REFERENCES
- Novel techniques for wearing an ear-looped mask to reduce pressure on the ear. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;83:e333-4.
- [Google Scholar]
- Customized mask for patients during facial procedures to maximize the work field. J Am Acad Dermatol S0190-9622(20)31086-0
- [Google Scholar]
