This CDC Infographic About Men's Facial Hair Just Resurfaced Due to Coronavirus Fears
Handlebar mustache? Good. Mutton chops? Not so much.
?pubId=1125866826&videoId=6136667201001&w=1280&h=720&q=90&c=cc" />
Most of the time, facial hairstyles are a personal choice—that is, until a new viral outbreak makes headlines, and even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention seems to weigh in on grooming choices.
Earlier this week, a newly resurfaced CDC infographic from 2017 popped up, showing 36 potential facial hair looks on men (some of which are unknown to even the savviest barbers) in order to demonstrate how beards, mustaches, and even sideburns can interfere with the face masks.
The infographic, originally created for the CDC's National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), provides 36 different facial hair looks on men to show which ones work best with filtering facepiece respirators, like the N95 respirator mask currently popular among those looking to (not-so-successfully) protect themselves from the coronavirus.
Per the CDC, face hair "should not cross under the respirator sealing surface," which ultimately deems only 13 of the 36 styles as face mask-appropriate. Those include the "Zappa," soul patch, "Zorro," and walrus—most of which are simple mustache styles. Of course, the clean-shaven look is also totally OK for those interested in using a respirator.
Unfortunately, hairier styles—like mutton chops, chin curtains, and the super-bushy "Bandholz" are off-limits for mask-wearers. Even stubble can interfere with a mask's protectiveness, per the CDC.
But—and this is important—keep in mind that the CDC only recommends facial masks and facepiece respirators for those who work in the healthcare industry and are coming into contact with people who could be potentially infected with the disease, as well as individuals with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19. For these people, the only recommended mask is the N95 designed to achieve "a very close facial fit," according to the Food and Drug Administration. If properly fitted, those respirators block "at least 95%" of very small test particles, but even they don't completely eliminate the risk of illness, per the FDA. (FYI: N95 respirators are different than surgical masks, which can only stop larger droplets.)
RELATED: Will the N95 Respirator Mask Protect You Against Coronavirus? Here's What an Expert Says
Also important: There's no situation in which a face mask or respirator might provide increased protection to the general public—even during air travel. “Masks are not highly effective for the general public, who often don’t wear them correctly,” Infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, MD, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, previously told Health. And just in case you're inspired by celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, who recently modeled an N95 during a flight, resist the urge to buy one. Dr. Adalja stressed that the demand for the N95 and other face masks by the public may create supply problems for those who actually need them, like medical professionals.
At this point, the best way to protect yourself against coronavirus doesn’t cost a dime: Preventive measures recommended by the CDC include avoiding close contact with people who are sick; not touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; staying home when you are sick; cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces; and washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom and before eating—you know, the stuff you should be doing this time of year anyway to protect yourself from the flu.
I can see where the masks would not fit correctly with all the facial hair. In the health care industry, I do not remember seeing men with facial hair.
If the masks are not going to be considered preventative measures as per the CDC then men with facial hair should be sure to keep it clean and groomed.
Gas masks are the reason why the military has strict regulations for facial hair. They need to ensure that the mask can suction onto the face properly.
That's crazy! I never would thought having a beard could effect that. Very interesting. But at the same time it does make sense, facial hair is very course and thick so I definitely can see how it can effect the protection of the mask on the face.
Earlier in the year when corona virus started hitting the news and people started wearing masks, my fiancé's place of work required them to all wear masks. Now, my fiancé and a few other of his coworkers have beards and they were required to completely shave their facial hair to properly wear their masks. Now, he is the site and safety officer on the job, and it is government so they were able to make it required. Now that jobs and people are starting to lax up on the rules a little, he was able to grow his beard out a little again. But it is crazy how some men were shaving to be able to wear a mask.
You are correct Gaby, Men's facial hair is a problem because the mask does not fit as it should be worn. There must be no gaps in the mask to be better protected
It's crazy to think that at this time last year when this was posted, we really had no idea of what COVID was about to become. This article talks about having the choice to wear a mask if you wanted to. And now we can't go into anywhere without a mask. You would think that by now I would always remember to grab a mask before leaving the house but this weekend alone I left twice without a mask.
@noracrainiectskin-com That's crazy to think a place of work could tell you to shave your beard in order to make sure you're wearing a mask properly. I know as a female if my place of work was telling me I had to cut my hair that I wouldn't be very happy about it. I can only imagine those guys feeling the same, frustrated.
i remember when the masks first became mandated and i was asking my boyfriend if he had to shave his beard so that he was better protected while wearing the mask at work, but at the time he worked at as a line chef and he had to wear the hair net on it anyway. he told me, at work, he would just put the mask on top and be okay. now im not sure if thats something the cdc would recommend but it worked for him and his job. with all the different types of mask their are, especially the ones that go around the neck it is a little easier for men with beards to still be protected
@noracrainiectskin-com i think them shaving their beard is definitely a necessary precaution if there is no other way around it, but back then they probably were thinking shaving their beards would be a one and done but here we are a year later... still wearing masks
I think it has been a good idea to cut down on the facial hair because it caused gaps with the mask. I did not think that 1 year later we would all be wearing masks all the time. I would think that a beard would cause the person to be hot. I know I feel like I can't get a deep breath with the mask on.
