Portrait senior man with beard looking at camera while wearing safety face mask for coronavirus outbreak Credit: Getty Images / Vanessa Nunes
Portrait senior man with beard looking at camera while wearing safety face mask for coronavirus outbreak Credit: Getty Images / Vanessa Nunes
Portrait senior man with beard looking at camera while wearing safety face mask for coronavirus outbreak Credit: Getty Images / Vanessa Nunes
Portrait senior man with beard looking at camera while wearing safety face mask for coronavirus outbreak
Credit: Getty Images / Vanessa Nunes
As we begin pandemic year 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has continued to update its recommendations for mask-wearing. Because of the national public health agency’s diligence, most of us now know the who, when and where of donning a mask. But for those of us with beards, the specific details of what kind of mask to use and how to affix it to one’s face may still be, well, a bit fuzzy. Must you shave? No, not necessarily. Here’s some clarity on masking while bearded.
First off, the CDC recommends shaving a beard or trimming it close to the skin, if possible. Smooth skin just makes it easier to create a tight seal from nose to chin. If keeping a beard, follow the same guidelines when choosing a mask as for a non-bearded person. To accommodate the beard and ensure a good seal, extra consideration must be paid to the size and shape of the mask. Bigger is probably better when it comes to covering a beard.
Deciding what to do about your beard is not an all-or-nothing proposition. Some types of facial hair may fit perfectly fine under a securely fastened mask or have no effect on the mask’s fit at all. If you have a bushier beard, consider trimming it to an alternate shape or style. A soul patch or side whiskers won’t obstruct a mask, as with several styles of mustache including but not limited to the Zappa, walrus, painter’s brush, Zorro, lampshade, chevron, handlebar and even the pencil (á la John Waters).
However, contrary to what you may think, stubble does inhibit adherence of the mask to the face. So, shaving smooth is a better option for ensuring a snug fit.
As for masks specifically designed for beards (with an elongated covering that goes below the chin), the CDC says not enough research has been conducted with them in order to come to a definitive recommendation, yet. If that changes, mustachioed and bearded friends, we’ll update you here.
The situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to change quickly; it’s possible that information or data has changed since publication. While EatingWell is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations by using the CDC, WHO and their local public health department as resources.
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