How To Wear A Surgical Mask – The Hoax & The Truth!

Now that the haze is back, people are sharing tips on how to correctly wear a surgical mask. Unfortunately, most of such advice are wrong.

In this article, we will debunk a recent example (falsely) teaching people that there are two sides of a surgical mask, and teach you THE ONLY CORRECT WAY to wear a surgical mask.

 

Are There Two Sides To A Surgical Mask?

This hoax claiming that there are TWO SIDES to a surgical mask has been spreading across the Internet, on blogs, Facebook and of course, WhatsApp.

Here is the hoax about how even doctors do not know how to properly wear a surgical / medical mask… grammatical mistakes and all.

Well, NO, it does not help. In fact, this hoax will probably result in a lot of people stupidly wearing their surgical masks the wrong way…

 

No, There Is Only ONE SIDE To A Surgical Mask

Surgical masks are coloured on ONE SIDE to make it easy for medical staff to figure out which side FACES OUT.

Whether they are coloured blue, green or pink, the COLOURED SIDE is meant to face OUTWARDS.

If the mask you are using has no colour, then it is NOT a 3-ply surgical mask – just a simple 2-ply face mask that is meant to maintain hygiene in a clean room or kitchen.

Recommended : Face Masks – Do They Really Help With Haze / Air Pollution?

 

The Filter Is Always The Middle Layer

The hoax falsely claims that the white layer is the filter.

A 3-ply surgical mask has three layers :

• an outer hydrophobic layer, which repels water, blood and body fluids,
• a middle filter layer that is designed to filter bacteria, and
• an inner hydrophilic layer, which absorbs water, sweat and spit

In a 2-ply face mask, both layers are usually made from the same material – fabric or polypropylene or other kinds of non-woven material. There is NO FILTER layer.

 

Why It’s Important To Wear A Surgical Mask Correctly

The middle filter works no matter which way you wear the surgical mask, so the hoax is complete hogwash.

However, wearing it the wrong way will reduce your comfort as you will be exhaling into the outer hydrophobic (water-repelling) layer, instead of the inner absorbent layer.

Those working with actual patients will want to wear it correctly too, because the outer water-repelling layer will help prevent blood and other bodily fluids from soaking through to the filter.

 

How To Wear A Surgical Mask Correctly

Here are some step-by-step instructions for wearing a surgical mask correctly :

1. Clean your hands with soap and water, or hand sanitiser, before touching the mask
2. Hold the mask so that the stiff bendable strip is on top, and the coloured side facing outwards.
3. If the surgical mask has ear loops – hold the mask by the ear loops, and place a loop around each ear.
4. If the surgical mask has ties – bring the mask to your nose and place the ties over the crown of your head, and secure by tying them in a bow.
5. If the surgical mask has elastic bands – bring the mask to your nose and pull the top band over your head and let it rest on the crown of your head, and then pull the bottom strap over your head and let it rest on the nape of your neck.
6. Mould or pinch the nose strip to conform to the shape of your nose.
7. Pull the bottom of the surgical mask over your mouth and chin.

 

Where To Buy Surgical Masks

Now, we have to point out that surgical masks cannot filter air pollution, especially the dangerous PM2.5 particulates. You need to use N95 respirators.

Surgical masks are designed to filter out bacteria, not tiny particulates in air pollution.

But if you want to buy surgical masks, make sure they are proper 3-layer surgical masks, and not 2-ply face masks. Here are some online purchase links :

• Malaysia : Lazada | Shopee
• Australia
• United States
• United Kingdom

 

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