Improve How Your Mask Protects You

Choose a mask with a nose wire

• A nose wire is a metal strip along the top of the mask
• Nose wires prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask.
• Bend the nose wire over your nose to fit close to your face.

Use a mask fitter or brace

• Use a mask fitter or brace over a disposable mask or a cloth mask to prevent air from leaking around the edges of the mask.

Check that it fits snugly over your nose, mouth, and chin

• Check for gaps by cupping your hands around the outside edges of the mask.
• Make sure no air is flowing from the area near your eyes or from the sides of the mask.
• If the mask has a good fit, you will feel warm air come through the front of the mask and may be able to see the mask material move in and out with each breath.

Add layers of material

2 ways to layer

• Use a cloth mask that has multiple layers of fabric.
• Wear a disposable mask underneath a cloth mask.
  • The cloth mask should push the edges of the disposable mask against your face.

Make sure you can see and breathe easily

Knot and tuck ear loops of a 3-ply mask

• Knot the ear loops of a 3-ply face mask where they join the edge of the mask
• Fold and tuck the unneeded material under the edges
• For instructions, see the following https://youtu.be/GzTAZDsNBe0external icon.

Other things to consider

Certain types of facial hair, like beards, can make mask fitting difficult. People with beards can do one or more of the following:

• Shave their beards.
• Trim their beards close to the face.
• Use a mask fitter or brace.
• Wear one disposable mask underneath a cloth mask that has multiple layers of fabric. The second mask should push the edges of the inner mask snugly against the face and beard.

Masks designed for people with beards are being evaluated, and information will be provided when it becomes available.

Combine two disposable masks

• Disposable masks are not designed to fit tightly and wearing more than one will not improve fit.

Combine a KN95 mask with any other mask.

• Only use one KN95 mask at a time.