COVID‐19 related masks increase severity of both acne (maskne) and rosacea (mask rosacea): Multi‐center, real‐life, telemedical, and observational prospective study

Masks are essential for COVID‐19 prevention, but recently they were suggested to modify cutaneous facial microenvironment and trigger facial dermatoses. To evaluate mask‐related rosacea and acne (maskne) in untreated patients during lockdown. In this multi‐center, real‐life, observational prospective study, we enrolled stable, untreated acne and rosacea patients that wore masks during lockdown at least 6 h/day. They underwent two teledermatological consultations, at the baseline and after 6 weeks. Clinical, pharmacological, and psychological data were recorded. A total 66 patients, 30 (median age: 34.0 [30.25‐29.75] yoa) with acne and 36 patients (median age: 48 [43‐54] years) with rosacea, were enrolled in this study. After 6 weeks of mask and quarantine, patients with acne displayed an increased Global Acne Grading Scale (GAGS) score in mask‐related areas (P