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After a year of normalization of masks, scientists and medical experts across the country are studying which fabric can best protect us from the coronavirus. It is worth noting that the researchers are studying silk. In September 2020, researchers at the University of Cincinnati showed that compared to cotton and polyester fibers, silk is the most effective in preventing small aerosol droplets from penetrating through masks in a laboratory environment-including respiratory droplets carrying Covid-19 , And release when infected people sneeze, cough or talk with the virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this is the main way the coronavirus spreads from person to person.
Dr. Patrick A. Gera, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cincinnati, explained that because of its unique hydrophobicity-or its ability to repel water-compared to other materials, silk successfully helps prevent more water droplets from entering the mask. middle. Co-author of the study. In addition, the study found that when a silk mask is stacked on a respirator (a form of double mask) that needs to be worn multiple times, silk can help protect personal protective equipment such as N95 masks. However, CDC recommends not to use respirators such as N95 and KN95 masks for dual masks. It is particularly recommended to wear only one KN95 mask at a time: “You should not use any type of second mask on top or under the KN95 mask.”
“In terms of making masks, it’s still the Wild West,” Guerra said. “But we are looking for ways to use basic science and apply what we know to improve them.”
We discussed with experts how to buy silk masks, and collected the best silk masks on the market from brands such as Slip and Vince.
Slip’s silk mask is made of 100% mulberry silk on both sides, and the inner lining is made of 100% cotton. The mask has adjustable elastic earrings, two sets of replacement silicone plugs and an adjustable nose line, which can replace 10 nose lines. Slip’s silk surface is sold with storage bags, and the cover comes in eight different styles, from solid colors such as rose gold and pink to patterns such as rose leopard and horizon. Slip recommends cleaning the mask according to the pillowcase instructions-hand wash or machine wash, Slip recommends air-drying the mask. Slip also sells silk lotion used to clean its products.
Vince’s mask uses a three-layer fabric design: 100% silk outer layer, polyester lining filter and cotton inner layer. The mask also comes with a cotton bag. When cleaning the mask, Vince recommends soaking it in warm water containing a mild detergent or soap, and then dripping it dry. For every mask sold, Vince will donate $15 to the American Civil Liberties Union. Masks are available in five colors: pink, silver gray, ivory, black and coastal blue.
Blissy’s silk mask is handmade with 100% pure mulberry silk. They are available in four colors: silver, pink, black and tie-dye. The mask has adjustable ear hooks and is machine washable.
This silk mask is made of 100% mulberry silk and comes with an internal filter bag and adjustable ear hooks. This mask comes in 12 colors, including blue, dark purple, white, taupe and pea green.
NIGHT’s silk face mask is designed with a three-layer fabric and comes with a filter bag. The mask is also equipped with seven disposable filters. It has an adjustable nose line and adjustable ear hooks. This mask can be machine washed in cold water in a delicate environment and is available in four colors: blush, champagne, emerald and bronze.
The D’aire silk mask is designed with various patterns such as camouflage, midnight star, and solid colors such as rouge, black and cocoa. It is equipped with adjustable nose bridge, adjustable ear hooks and filter bags. They are available in three sizes: small, medium and large. The mask can be machine washed in cold water in a delicate environment. D’aire also sells disposable filters, which are custom-shaped to fit its silk masks. There are 10 or 20 filters in a pack.
Claire & Clara’s silk mask consists of two layers of fabric. They also have adjustable elastic ear hooks. The brand produces milk with and without filter bags. The silk surface has five colors: light blue, pink, white, navy blue and violet. Claire & Clara also sells a pack of five disposable filters.
Guerra’s laboratory found that “silk masks can repel droplets in spray tests and disposable disposable surgical masks.” But silk masks have another advantage over surgical masks: they can be washed and reused. In addition, Guerra said that silk has electrostatic properties, which means it is positively charged. When the mask has an outer layer of silk, small particles will stick to it, Guerra pointed out, so these particles will not pass through the fabric. Given the copper found in it, silk also has some antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Finally, as we all know, silk is good for your skin. Michele Farber, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of the Schweiger Dermatology Group, recommends silk pillowcases for acne-prone and sensitive skin because it does not generate too much friction like other fabrics and therefore does not cause irritation. The guidelines can now be applied to masks. Farber said that compared with other types of fabrics, silk does not absorb much oil and dirt, nor does it take so much moisture from the skin.
Based on his research, Guerra recommends double masks by overlaying a layer of silk masks on disposable masks. The silk mask acts as a hydrophobic barrier-according to the CDC, because the wet mask is less effective-and this combination provides you with multiple layers of protection.
Farber pointed out that dual masks will not give you the skin benefits of silk masks. But she added that depending on the situation, wearing tightly woven, well-fitting, multi-layer silk masks with filters is an acceptable alternative to dual masks. As for clean silk masks, Farber and Guerra say you can usually wash them by hand or machine, but it ultimately depends on the brand’s specific instructions.
Guerra became curious about silk as a mask material because his wife was a doctor and had to reuse her N95 mask for many days when the pandemic began. His laboratory usually studies the cocoon structure of silk moth caterpillars, and began to study which fabrics are best for frontline workers to use double-layer masks to protect their respirators, and which fabrics can make effective reusable masks for the public.
During the study, Guerra’s laboratory examined the hydrophobicity of cotton, polyester, and silk fabrics by measuring their ability to repel small aerosol water droplets. The laboratory also examined the breathability of fabrics and how regular cleaning affects their ability to maintain hydrophobicity after repeated cleanings. Guerra said that his laboratory decided not to study the filtration level of silk—common in similar tests—because many other researchers are already working on testing the filtration capabilities of silk fabrics.
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Post time: Dec-14-2021
