THE FIRST ANTI-AGING REUSABLE FABRIC MASK

ANTI-AGEING + ANTI-ACNE COPPER MASK WITH NANOPARTICLE TECHNOLOGY UPF 50+ BROAD SPECTRUM

The CUIONS™ copper nanoparticle impregnated fabric is rigorously lab tested for the active release of copper ions that are clinically effective for anti-aging by promoting collagen production and reducing pigmentation. It is certified for anti-microbial functions to actively prevent and treat mask acne. The CUIONS™ face mask fabric has been specifically engineered to attain UPF50 certification*, the gold standard in UV-protective fabrics.  

The use of a face mask is now the new norm, besides the function of limiting an individual’s spread of respiratory droplets into the external environment, a mask can serve as facial protection to block out the sun’s harmful rays. 

It is crucial to minimize UV rays our skin is exposed to as most skin cancers and hyperpigmentation on our faces is caused by exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Hyperpigmentation results in flat, darkened patches of skin that are light brown to black, and can vary in size and shape. Types of hyperpigmentation include age spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and even lentigo maligna, a form of skin cancer. The two most common types of pigmentation are melasma and solar lentigo. Solar lentigo, also known as sunspots will form as patches of darkened skin which causes local proliferation of melanocytes and accumulation of melanin within the skin cells (keratinocytes). Solar lentigo is dependent on age, genetics, and amount of sun exposure. The other common type of pigmentation in people of colored skin would be melasma. Melasma is categorized into different types, depending on the various depths of the deposition of the pigment as well as the location of melasma. Melasma results in an increased deposition of melanin in the epidermis, in the dermis within melanophages, or both. It will range in color from light brown to dark brownish-black and affect the regions of the face in different patterns. 

Dr.TWL ANTI-AGEING + ANTI-ACNE COPPER MASK is a laboratory certified to have an excellent UPF protection of 50+. UPF 50+ qualifies for excellent protection according to the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation guidelines. A UPF 50 fabric blocks 98 percent of the sun’s rays and allows two percent (1/50th) to penetrate, thus reducing your exposure risk to UVA and UVB radiation, which causes photoaging, pigmentation, and skin cancers. 

What is UPF?

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor and it measures the amount of UV radiation that can penetrate fabric and reach your skin. Unlike SPF, which measures the only UVB, UPF measures both UVB and UVA rays. A piece of clothing with UPF 50 can block 98 percent of the sun’s rays and allowing only two percent to penetrate. Thus, on top of applying sunscreen, choosing what to wear is crucial as well to protect yourself from sun rays. 

How does the fit of the UPF fabric affect the level of UV protection?

The CUIONS™ UV protective anti-aging face mask is designed to be loosely fitting for full comfort when speaking as well as protecting critical areas such as your nose and mouth from dispersing respiratory droplets. The nature of the fit also affects UPF. In general, a loose-fitting design will help to optimize the UPF because a tight design tends to cause stretching and this reduces the level of protection offered by the clothing. 

How is UPF affected by the design of garments? 

How much clothing can shield you from the sun varies in different fabrics and the color of the fabric. The darker the clothing, the more sun protection you will get. Dark-colored clothes can prevent UV rays from reaching your skin. 

Secondly, the fabric material. Densely woven clot i.e. denim, canvas, wool, or synthetic fibers offer more protection than a sheer, thin, or loosely woven cloth. An easy way to tell a fabric’s sun safety is by holding it up to the light. If the light can shine through, it means that UV radiation can pierce through the fabric and into your skin effortlessly. 

Thirdly, the content of the fabric. Unbleached cotton as it contains natural lignins that act as UV absorbers. Shiny polyesters and even lightweight satin material can be highly protective due to their ability to reflect radiation. High-tech fabrics treated with chemical UV absorbers or dyes can also prevent penetration from UV rays. 

What are the other tips to protect your skin from sun damage? Here are the following tips from our dermatologist Dr. Teo Wan Lin. 

1. Wear long-sleeved clothing

If possible, opt for long-sleeved shirts and long pants or skirts. These will provide better protection of your skin from the sun rays.

2. Wear broad rim hats if exposed to direct sunlight

You should opt for a wide brim hat of at least three inches to be able to shade your face, scalp, neck, shoulders, and upper back. Often places like the tops of the ears and back of the neck can be shaded too. When looking for straw hats, choose one that is tightly woven. A loosely constructed straw hat will allow for sunray penetration through the hat and onto your skin. Hats are essential for protecting your head, scalp, and neck. 

3. Use a medical-grade sunscreen which is broad-spectrum SPF 50

UV radiation on the earth’s surface contains about 5 percent of UVB and 95 percent of UVA rays. UVB causes sunburn while repeated UVA exposure causes photoaging. Over time, sun exposure can also lead to skin cancer. To avoid excessive sun damage, it is crucial to apply a medical-grade broad-spectrum sunscreen. Broad-spectrum sunscreen provides basic protection against UVA and UVB rays. Chemical filters that provide broad-spectrum protection are ecamsule (Mexoryl SX), silatriazole (Mexoryl XL), bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S), Bisoctrizole (Tinosorb M). Dr. TWL’s SunProtector™ is a cosmeceutical sunscreen uniquely designed for the local weather. It is lightweight enough for easy reapplication. It is also a broad-spectrum, SPF 50 sunscreen with PA+++ rating.

When exposed to sunlight, you need to protect your skin from harmful sunrays. The best way to do so is by wearing sun-protecting clothing and accessories on top of your sunscreens. The next time when you are shopping for new garments, look out for UPF labels on clothes. The UPF label will show specifically how much of the sun’s rays the piece of clothing can shield. For clothes to qualify for The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, a fabric must be at least be UPF 30. A fabric with UPF 30 to 49 offers very good protection while fabric with more than UPF is excellent sun protectants. 

The skin’s microenvironment is of interest when we are creating the optimal environment for wound healing, for stimulation of collagen in anti-aging as well as the overall preserving the skin barrier function of the epidermis. The face mask gives rise to an environment that is humid and has moisture and bacteria from our nasal and oral mucosa. This will lead to an increase in bacteria growth around the area where it is constantly covered. The bacterial/fungal infections can cause “mask acne”, also known as occlusion acne. When you’re wearing a covering over your face for a prolonged period, it is crucial to choose a face mask that will provide an optimal microenvironment for your skin to prevent acne formation. 

Our CUIONS™ Anti-Ageing + Anti-Acne Copper Mask has been laboratory tested to kill Staphylococcus Aureus, a common bacteria that can cause secondary skin infections in acne and worsening of facial eczema. This copper nanoparticle mask is clinically proven to be more hygienic than the standard fabric mask. It has anti-odor properties by killing bacteria/fungi/microbes that come into contact with the mask. It is particularly suited for a comfortable wear against your skin over prolonged periods. 

Copper nanoparticle impregnation is also backed by clinical studies to have active anti-wrinkle, anti-aging skincare properties due to its antibacterial effect. Antimicrobial mechanisms of copper include membrane damage, inhibition of respiration, protein inactivation, and DNA degradation, all leading to the antimicrobial effect. Besides being an antibacterial agent, it stimulates collagen growth through contact with copper ions actively released on contact with skin as well.