How to wear disposable protective masks correctly？

1. Steps for wearing disposable protective masks

Step 1: wash your hands
Clean your hands thoroughly with soap and running water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before putting on a disposable protective mask and before and after any activity that may come into contact with the inside of the mask.

Step 2: Distinguish between upper and lower, inside and outside
Top and bottom: The side with the metal nose clip (a flexible metal strip) is the top.

Inside and out:
Medical surgical masks: Usually the dark side (such as blue, green) faces outward, and the light side (white) faces inward, close to the mouth and nose.
If the inside and outside are the same color: usually the folds are downward and outward. You can also tell by the ear strap connection, the smooth side is usually facing outward.
The most accurate way: Check the product packaging instructions.

Step 3: Unfold the mask and tighten the ear straps with both hands
Grasp the ear straps (or headband) of the mask with the fingers of both hands and do not touch the main part of the mask.
Fully unfold the mask.

Step 4: Put on the mask, fully covered
Place the mask over your mouth, nose and chin, making sure your face is fully covered.
Hang the earbands over your ears, or secure the headband to the upper back of your head and neck.

Step 5: Adjust and tighten the nose clip
This is the most critical step!
Use the index and middle fingers of both hands to gently press the metal nose clip from the center of the bridge of the nose to both sides to make it completely fit the bridge of the nose and the shape of the face.
Never pinch with one hand as this will not create an effective seal.

Step 6: Check tightness
Hold the mask lightly with both hands and exhale and inhale quickly.
Feeling: If you feel that air is leaking from the edge of the mask, it means it is not worn properly and you need to readjust the nose clip and mask position.
Observation: When exhaling, the mask should bulge slightly; when inhaling, the mask should collapse slightly. This indicates high filtration efficiency.

2. Important matters needing attention

During wearing period:
Do not touch the outside of the disposable protective mask. If touched accidentally, wash hands immediately.
Do not pull the mask to your chin, hang it by your ears, or swing it around your wrist. These actions can cause serious contamination.
If you feel that the mask has become wet, dirty or has difficulty breathing, you should replace it in time.

Remove the mask:
Touch only the earbands/headband, not the outside of the mask.
Take it off gently to avoid the mask shaking violently.
For earhook masks, pinch the earhook and remove directly.
Dispose of used masks in a covered trash can.
Wash your hands immediately after removal.

Replacement time:
Disposable protective masks are usually used for no more than 8 hours in total.
In case of contamination, moisture or damage, it should be replaced immediately.