Mask Acne – Book Launch and Publication of Research Paper

Singapore, October 9, 2020 – Dr.TWL Dermaceuticals (www.drtwlderma.com), a dermatologist-led cosmeceutical research and development company, announced the launch of Dr. Teo Wan Lin’s latest publications on Mask Acne. This includes the book, Masking Up – A Dermatologist’s Guide to Maskne, on Amazon Kindle, Apple Books and Barnes & Noble. It is slated for release in bookstores islandwide by December 2020.

Dr. Teo, one of Singapore’s prominent dermatologists and medical director at TWL Specialist Skin & Laser Centre, is also a pioneer dermatologist in the field of biofunctional textiles. She leads the research and development at Dr.TWL Biomaterials, that focuses on ecologically sustainable, cutting edge technology for new generation biofunctional textiles in skin applications i.e. textile cosmeceuticals. The Biomaterials group launched the Anti-Ageing, Anti-Maskne, or Mask Acne, Copper Nanoparticle Reusable Fabric Mask with UPF 50+ in July 2020 – a biofunctional textile that releases active copper ions for reducing facial wrinkles and kills skin-disease causing bacteria on contact.

Research Paper on Mask Acne

In October 2020, Dr. Teo’s original research letter “Diagnostic and Management Considerations of Maskne in the Era of COVID-19” was published by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, ranked the top* dermatology journal internationally. The journal is the official scientific publication of the American Academy of Dermatology, which is the most influential and most representative of all dermatologic associations internationally, having a membership of more than 20,500 physicians worldwide. The article has also been indexed by leading scientific publisher, Elsevier’s COVID-19 resource centre as highly relevant medical information pertaining to the pandemic.

In the research letter, Dr. Teo characterizes the diagnostic criteria for maskne – including a distinct O-zone facial pattern of Mask Acne (Figure 1) and discusses the ideal face mask design to minimise textile- skin friction (Figure 2), the concept of biofunctional textiles including zinc/copper oxide fabric infusion for antimicrobial benefits to treat and prevent skin disease. The paper also discusses the potential for biofunctional textiles with additional medical/ cosmeceutical benefits to incentivize mask wearing, as well as Dr. Teo’s recommendation for UPF 50+ protection fabric masks to replace sunscreen wear for the lower half of the face.

For more details regarding the Mask Acne publications, attached here is a link to the high resolution press gallery. Dr. Teo’s article pre-proof is available via an online link from ScienceDirect here. Interested journalists are invited to request for a complimentary press copy of the Kindle e-book. For the latest on anti-pandemic personal protective equipment from Dr.TWL Biomaterials, including the UVC Germicidal Lamp for Room Disinfection/Purification, please click here.

The Zincool fabric face mask, infused with zinc nanoparticles for preventing maskne will be launched November 2020. The zinc face mask has similar anti-microbial benefits to treat and prevent maskne, UPF 50+ protection for skin, and has additional oil-control benefits for acne-prone individuals (especially in tropical climates) and incorporates superior skin cooling and sweat wicking textile technology.

*2019 impact factor rankings published by the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) Web of Science Group.

© 2020 TWL Specialist Skin & Laser Centre.