No Slip UV SUN PROTECTION UPF FABRIC FACE MASKS

Does your face mask move or slip down when talking? Do you have trouble communicating with your mask on? Read this article for tips and best practices for keeping your mask secure and communication effective.

As we enter another surge period with some states enacting new shelter in place orders and with vaccines emerging albeit in limited availability, it appears that wearing masks will continue to be a part of our daily lives for many months into the future.

Now a daily accessory (as well as necessity), experts still agree the best defense from COVID-19 to keep you, your family, and your community safe is to practice these three things:

Practice social distancing (6ft or more)

Properly worn and with proper care, fabric face masks are an effective safety measure. They're also reusable so wearing one will not only protect others, it will keep disposable masks out of landfill.

If you're wearing a HELIADES UPF fabric mask you'll have the added benefit of protecting your skin from sun exposure in addition to protecting yourself and your community.

Now that we are well acquainted with wearing masks, how do you solve keeping your face mask from moving or slipping down when talking? Experts agree best practice is NOT to touch the outside of your face mask when in public making it quite awkward to adjust your mask while in conversation.

Here is a unique, innovative mask design, it has three pleats which tuck under your chin and helps hold the mask in place. Additionally, it looks nice!

It's made of buttery soft, breathable UPF 50+ OEKO-TEX certified fabric which means less chemicals for you and the environment. Don't be fooled by the soft texture and pretty aesthetic because this fabric is woven with the same ingredients as mineral sunscreen and physically blocks over 98% of harmful UV rays from your skin. Yes, beneath the colorful prints is serious sun protective armor. Which means that when you wear the Three-Pleat mask you're not only protecting others, you'll be protecting you skin and preventing sun damage with an environmentally conscious, sustainably made product.

Masks can get in the way of communication because they tend to muffle voices and we lose the ability to read lips and facial expressions. To acknowledge this and add levity I tell others that I don't hear as well with my mask on. 

What? Best communication practices.

1. Make sure you have the attention of the person before you begin speaking.

In this era of mask wearing how many times have you thought you were speaking to someone only to discover they were actually talking to someone else?

2. Face the person directly if possible with nothing blocking your view.

3. Talk a little louder than typical and perhaps a bit slower.
Ever leave a conversation and feel like you were talking too loud? That is me. The trick is to talk louder than usual but don't shout. And word enunciation when mask wearing is a must.  

4. Use your hands and some body language if appropriate.

It's also ok to clarify or ask if the other person understood you. There's a myriad of ways to accomplish this, and at top of the list is to inject a bit of humor or levity to the conversation. For example you could say, "I meant 'feta' not 'chedda'" (oh yes I did).

5. It's not always possible, but when it is try to move to a quieter area to talk.

This can be a challenge given best practice is to meet outside, in fresh air. Which means lots of ambient noise adds to the effective communication equation.

Wearing masks can be tricky for people who wear glasses, hearing aids, or other hearing devices such as cochlear implants. An easy solution is to attach the mask behind the head rather than looping behind ears. Either wear a mask with ties or use ribbon or a shoelace to tie an ear loop mask behind the head - this also relieves pressure from the tops of ears.

A few details and tips.

Like this adaptation of the Olson mask, Classic UV Face Mask, the three-pleated mask has two layers with a pocket to insert a filter(s) and includes an adjustable nose strip and adjustable knotted elastic ear loops.

The WHO recommends you do not use a mask that is difficult to breathe through, however if you can tolerate it, adding a filter layer is advised. Here are the latest mask tips and best practices from the CDC - now recommending double masking for safety. Multiple layers makes it harder for the virus to have a straight shot to your nose or mouth. It also helps absorb moisture and discourages foggy glasses. 

1) Look for a mask that is long enough to tuck under your chin. This will help anchor and hold the mask in place while you're speaking.

2) Masks with adjustable nose strips help form the mask to your face shape as well as help prevent glasses from fogging up.

3) Tighten the mask either with adjustable elastic ear loops, tying the ear loops behind your head, or with adjustable ties at the neck and behind the head. This ensures a good fit, a better seal (which is the purpose of using a mask) and helps hold the mask in place when talking.

Usually when you see a mask slipping down while talking the mask is too loose or the mask is too short and you need to adjust the fit.

1) The mask is too loose.

Ear loops are likely stretched out or too big, or the ties are too loose 

Solution: 

It is possible you need to replace the elastic of your fabric face mask or adjust the ear loops if they contain silicone slider beads. These slider beads are really handy to use, help customize your mask fit and help ease tension and pulling on your ears. You can also try to add a knot or re-tie knots into your ear loops to adjust the length. If your mask is not adjustable or your elastic is stretched out best practice may be to replace your mask, otherwise use a ribbon or shoelace to loop thru both ear loops and secure behind your head snugly. If you prefer the four tie mask style then simply adjust and tie your mask more securely behind your head.

2) The mask is too small.

Your face is broader than the mask, or the mask is too short and doesn't tuck under your chin.

Solution:

If your face is broader even a mask that is small may be effective if you secure it snugly behind your head. If it's an ear loop style, I suggest using a ribbon or shoelace to loop thru both ear loops and pull snugly then securely tie behind your head. If it is the four tie mask style, the suggestion is to tie both ends more snugly behind your head.

A proper mask fit should tuck under your chin so if your mask is too short (from nose to chin) , I suggest looking for a mask designed to tuck under the chin like this one or search for a larger one. 

Do not criss-cross your ear loops because this creates a gap on either side of your mask which defeats the purpose of keeping out germs.

If you're tired of your mask slipping when talking, or if you want to keep your skin sun protected while wearing a mask, then check out these three pleated UPF sun protection face masks which shield skin from over 98% of harmful UV rays (rated UPF 50+) and provide ear to ear plus jawline sun protective coverage. Available in limited quantities in a variety of colors, each is hand made in the San Francisco/Bay Area.

Remember, a reusable fabric face mask is good for your community and the environment. Our reusable UPF sun protective fabric face masks are good for your community, the environment, and YOU.

If keeping your skin healthy and glowing ie: sun protection is a must for you, get our eGuide. It's a free, downloadable book full of essential tips and facts for keeping your skin healthy.

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Talk to you soon! Sharone at Heliades

Questions? Send us a message.

#getheligirl #wearUPF #defendyourglow