How Have You Made Mask-Wearing More Comfortable?
While most of us have become mask-wearing veterans, others have been exclusively WFH for a year and rarely going out. For the readers in that second group who may be returning to the office soon or venturing out more after being vaccinated (woohoo!), we thought we'd ask for tips from readers: How have you made mask-wearing more comfortable?
Here are some tips to start:
1. Use an ear saver/mask clip. If typical masks make your ears sore, or you just don't like masks that go around your ears (anyone else given up on dangly earrings while masked?), Amazon has a ton of solutions, including headbands with ear savers attached. You can also try using a hair clip or sturdy paper clip, or simply buy a mask that ties at the back of your head.
2. Wear a 100% cotton mask for breathability. Two or more layers are best for safety.
3. For workouts, use cotton masks or other higher thread count fabrics, e.g., breathable polyester. Exercising with a mask is definitely not fun, but some designs are better than others. Prevention and Women's Health listed their picks — including this one from Reebok, currently 30% off! (I also carry face-cleansing wipes to wipe my face after masked workouts.)
Psst… here are images and links to some of the products we're mentioning in this piece…
Stay tuned for a roundup!
4. Use a mask frame under your mask. This can help keep a damp or sweaty mask off your face. I recommended these mask brackets from Etsy in a recent Coffee Break.
5. Keep a lint roller handy for mask de-fuzzing. Have you ever been in the grocery store when your face starts itching because of a little piece of fuzz under your mask, but you don't want to be spotted while you're temporarily maskless, so you just grin and bear it? (Just me?) Also, does anyone else take their masks out of the dryer to find them covered with fuzz/lint? (Yes, we regularly clean the lint trap!) I already have a lint roller in my car for cat-hair incidents, so I use it for masks, too.
6. Try all the tricks to prevent your glasses from fogging up. I wear glasses a lot, and the only thing I've found to work (without having tried special anti-fog sprays yet) is to pinch the top of my mask as tightly as possible around my nose. When it's cold out, though, all bets are off — and where I live, it's sometimes still cold in May… (The security guy at the vaccination site I went to actually laughed when he saw me walk in the door. Yes, it's hilarious.) Anyway, WebMD has some good tips for glasses-wearers. (Kat notes that she's had decent success with this anti-fog spray.)
Readers, do tell: How have you made mask-wearing more comfortable? Any good mask hacks to share?
I bought some silicone adjusters to place on the straps of any masks that didn’t already have them.
Not a mask question but a vaccine question. I got Pfizer and felt off for 24 hours but then a week later had terrible joint pain and tiredness. I wasn’t sure if it was related. I got my second Pfizer a week ago and sure enough, I’m feeling pretty crappy today. I’m just curious if anyone had a delayed reaction like mine where your “not well” days were a week after the vaccine.
Yes I had some surprising joint pain some time after. It went away quickly though.
Yes. I had Moderna and with the first shot, my symptoms did not really show up until 10 days (yes, days) after. Second dose symptoms started 12 hours after the shots.
OP here: thanks! It’s always good to hear from others.
I use double-sided tape (fashion tape) on the bridge of the nose to keep the mask from slipping when I am in situations in which I have to talk a lot with a mask on. It keeps the mask up and keeps my glasses from fogging up.
Genius! Thanks.
doesn’t the tape get loose from sweat?
Ever since I was fully vaxxed 3/15, I’ve switched to much lighter masks. Prior to the vaccine, I was wearing N95’s or masks with 3 layers (like the Johnny Was masks). Now I’m wearing an Old Navy single layer or something of the like. I eve cut a layer out of some of my favorite Johnny Was masks because I like the designs. There might not be science or rhyme or reason behind my switch but I’m comfortable with my choice.
Your choice is to look like you’re wearing a mask but protect no one? So odd. Just stop wearing it.
Right? It’s actually better that way—my immune compromised self will know better to avoid you.
Get vaccinated?
I am vaccinated. And so are many others around you that are still vulnerable. Not to mention my school age kids.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/15/health/coronavirus-vaccine-immune-system.html
Well the N95 is to protect the wearer not those around her so I don’t agree. A lighter face covering provides some protection for others
You might want to go talk to someone and deal with your control issues. Many places have lifted mask mandates all together. And she’s wearing a mask! Just not one you’d like her to wear?! You make no sense.
I find the Uniqlo airism masks very comfortable. The ear loops are very soft and don’t bother my ears at all. Breathability has not been an issue. It doesn’t have a nose wire, so my sunglasses sometimes fog up. Thanks for recommending the spray, will definitely try.