Face is present in various shapes and sizes, unlike most facial masks. As a result, many people struggle to find the fitting mask, especially when using the highest quality options available: N95 / KN95 and surgical masks. This problem has caused researchers what to call “hacks” face masks – basically the solution to get the mask to fit right. While this hacking may be effective, experts say there is also a big downside.
Hack facial masks might involve, for example, trampling elastic ear bands to reduce their length, causing the mask so that it is more closely on the wearer’s face. Other examples of “hacking” include recording the edges of the mask to someone’s face to close the gap, fill the gauze around the nose to prevent air from escaping, and using a rubber band to keep the mask tight.
University researcher Cambridge recently tested seven of these hacks using KN95 and surgical face masks. As a result, which has been published in the journal Plos One, reveals two specific hackers that are “significantly” enhanced masks, but with unprofitable consequences.
Hack a functioning face mask
According to the researchers, make sure your face mask is more important than the ingredients used. Loose masks allow air to enter and escape through the gap between the fabric and the wearer’s face, making it much more effective in the container of droplets that might contain viruses.
Getting the right match may be very difficult if someone only has access to a mask that is too big, and that’s where hacking is in. The first author Eugenia O’Kelly explained:
We have seen a lot of anecdotal evidence about people hacking their masks to be more suitable for the form of their faces, but we want to validate whether there is this hacking that really works, because very few research has been done in this field.
The researchers measured the number of particles inside and around the face mask as part of their test, also utilizing a sense of saving to determine whether the participants could feel different particles. By doing this, the team focuses on two specific hackers that greatly increase masks.
The first hack involves the use of the tape to put the ends of the mask to the wearer’s face. While effective, especially with surgical masks, the downside is the inconvenience involved in removing the ribbon later. Or, this study also found that using tights (elastic type of material) to press the mask to the user’s face which was enhanced effectively, but “very uncomfortable.”
Although many of the hackers were reported uncomfortable, researchers said it might still be feasible to use it while in a high-risk environment. “This inconvenience is feasible for additional protection,” Record O’Kelly.