Fact Check: Do N95 Masks Work With Beard?

Did you know that masks need to make a seal with your skin to work? The American Centre For Disease Control (CDC) recommends having facial hair that fits entirely under a respirator.

If the facial hair pushes against the seal of the respirator, it may not effectively filter out viruses.

The CDC has laid out a list of facial hairstyles approved for wearing masks. AIIMS Delhi also recommends the same in its COVID-19 guidelines for doctors and healthcare workers.

Apart from clean-shaven, the approved facial hairdos are small moustaches and soul patches. Stubbles and goatees are also not allowed.

It is also important to wear and remove a mask appropriately. AIIMS instructs not to touch the front of the mask and sanitise hands properly for 20 seconds with soap or alcohol-based sanitisers. While removing, one should take the laces off from behind, and dispose of properly.

User Seal Check

The CDC recommends performing a user seal check to check the fit of the mask. It can be done by either positive pressure or negative pressure check. For a positive pressure user seal check, exhale gently while blocking the paths for exhaled breath to exit the facepiece. If the check is successful, the facepiece will be slightly pressurised before increased pressure causes outward leakage. For a negative pressure check, inhale sharply while blocking the paths for inhaled breath to enter the facepiece. A successful seal will make the facepiece collapse slightly under negative pressure created.

Mask Certifications

It is also important to check whether N95 masks are genuine or fake. Genuine ones often have NIOSH, CE or ISI marks which can be cross-verified. Stick to reputable brands.