The industrial development of cities in many countries has both pleasant and dire consequences. One of the latter is air pollution. According to statistics from the World Health Organization in 2014, 92% of the world's population lived in regions with high levels of pollution. In addition, the exhaust of cars also contributes to the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system, respiratory tract and cancer. How to make the air we breathe cleaner, what methods of protection against dust and dirt exist today and what is a nasal filter - we will talk in this article.

There are several types of nasal filter, it has different manufacturers, its own subtleties of use, pros and cons. Let's take a closer look at everything.

Nose filters

Nasal filters, also known as Invisible Respirators, are compact designs that fit into the nasal passages to purify the air you breathe. It can be easily inserted and removed. The protection is not visible to prying eyes, and after a short period of time you yourself will no longer feel it - you just need to get used to the new sensations a little.

What does a nasal filter do? Thanks to it, the air is purified from the most harmful harmful particles that we could breathe. Namely:

• from substances that are contained in industrial and household dust;
• from substances that are formed from;
• from allergens: pollen, mold and fungus, animal saliva, etc.;
• from pathogenic microorganisms that develop diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract.

The main manufacturers of invisible respirators are Japan and England.

A distinctive feature of British filters is the ability to replace the filter material.

There are also Italian brands. Their models are available in sizes “S”, “L”, ”M”. A feature of these filters is the presence of a special biogel for better use.

Now let's look at the design of the nose protection. It consists of a body or an external retainer in the form of soft rubber, an internal dome-shaped retainer in the form of the same soft rubber, the filter itself is a spunbond nonwoven material (retains microparticles less than 10 micrometers) or a cellulose microsponge - and a polypropylene jumper for easy grip.

Application

How do you know that you need protection? The use of invisible respirators is widespread during periods of:

• , including for preventive purposes;
• travel and change of climatic conditions;
• allergies to dust, dirt, pollen and other irritants.

Therefore, if you live in a city with a high level of air pollution, if you are a medical worker (as a replacement for gauze masks), if you work in a factory: in a workshop or in a dusty area, or often suffer from respiratory diseases - the nasal filter will become your invaluable assistant.

Their wide assortment and variety will allow you to choose a model for any age: from kids 4-5 years old to the elderly. And this issue should be approached carefully, since a mistake with a choice can be expensive:

• nosebleeds may occur;
• the nasal septum may bend;
• nasal polyps or polyps may occur.
• To avoid these problems, you should choose your size accurately.

It must be remembered that the structures will grow by about a millimeter when used “wet”.

Each of the packages contains three filters. On average, one such protection is enough for 7-10 days. This means that the packaging will last a little less than a month, although if you use the filters periodically, and not constantly, you can increase the service life.

Start with what you rarely do in the first place - read the instructions. All the most basic is stated in it. If you have not yet purchased the filters and are still in doubt, we will tell you how to use an invisible respirator.

First, carefully remove one pair from the packaging. If this is a design for use during a cold, it should be slightly moistened with water and only then installed in the nasal passages.

The filter must be inserted so that the bridge touches the lower part of the nose, does not dangle and does not move from side to side.
Then inhale several times to ensure proper contact of the inner wall of the filter with the nasal cavity. Respirators for use without a runny nose are worn up to 12 hours without removing. For use with a cold, rinsing is required, you can do this once an hour.
After the time of use, the filters are removed, washed well, dried at normal temperature in a room away from batteries and sources of increased heat. Average drying time is 4-6 hours.

Application features

Burning, tickling, or an unpleasant sensation associated with the penetration of a foreign body into the nose is common when first used. The average habituation time is from half an hour to three hours. As a rule, then a person simply forgets about filters.

Adults should provide installation of the structure for children up to 12 years old.

It is not necessary to use invisible respirators all the time - it is possible to use them immediately before contact with an allergen: before traveling, cycling or just walking, communicating with animals and in other cases.

Now let's talk about the pros and cons that many of us consider before purchasing nose filters.

The advantages include the following indicators:

• in fact, cleaning the inhaled air;
• its complete penetration into the lungs, no cough;
• anatomically correct shape and comfortable design;
• does not affect appearance, expression of emotions and food intake;
• consists of hypoallergenic and high quality materials;
• a wide range of;
• use by children from 4 years old and pregnant women;
• the need for medication for allergies is reduced.

And now the disadvantages:

• possible burning or soreness in the nose;
• nosebleeds due to incorrect filter selection or incorrect installation;
• curvature of the septum.

To completely protect yourself from such symptoms of incorrect use, consult with an otorhinolaryngologist before buying.

Good news for those who bought filters, but have not yet been able to use them: in a closed, unpacked form, filters do not lose their properties for a very long time.

Unfortunately, as the reviews of Russian consumers show, nasal filters are not suitable for everyone. So, many people began to irritate the mucous membrane when using protection for a dry nose. Sometimes even the largest invisible respirators did not completely cover the nasal passages, and allergens entered through the gaps. Thus, as users write, “nasal filters are not a panacea for allergies” and they suggest using protection only in conjunction with medications.

From an aesthetic point of view, not everything is so rosy either. The septum itself is quite thick, and even a small part of it under the nose is noticeable. In addition, when the protection is installed in the nasal passages, the upper part of the nose becomes larger due to the expansion of these very passages. Many women are repelled from buying by this very fact.

And, perhaps, the main drawback of the filters was shortness of breath. It became harder for people to breathe, yawning began to appear much more often, they had a headache and wanted to sleep. All this when using dry nose filters.

In addition to carefully choosing your size and type of invisible respirators, you must understand that the first purchase is just a sample of them, as a possible protection against allergies and harmful substances in the air. But it is not at all necessary that you get rid of the problems with dirty air once and for all. There are also other solutions.

You don't need to do statistics to understand that we spend most of our lives at home. If you live in an area with bad air, you can protect yourself with nasal filters. But, unfortunately, you will not be able to wear them all the time: for example, while sleeping. In addition, they may not suit you as a solution. This means that the protection of your respiratory tract will not be permanent.

Therefore, if you cannot influence the air outside the window in any way, then you can definitely influence the air in your house. A breather will help you quickly and reliably get rid of dust and allergens.

The breather is compact, providing heating and air purification. It can be easily controlled from a smartphone. You will not hear a single noise, the rooms will be fresh, there will be no unpleasant odors, and your lungs will be clean.

Thus, the best solution to the problem of dirty air will be to use a breather at home, and outdoors - filters for the nose or other protection. This way you will save money and maintain your health at the proper level, be able to visit nature more often, forget about allergies, increase the service life of invisible respirators by using only in outdoor conditions.

Respiratory respirators

Respirators are another type of protection against polluted air. Created for the first time in the 16th century in the form of cloth soaked in water and rolled up in several layers, respirators managed to go a long way of modifications and now represent a reliable means of protection against dust, dirt, toxic aerosols, smoke and gases.

Basic working principle

The essence of a respirator is to isolate the respiratory tract from contact with a contaminated environment. The device delivers either clean or purified air to the lungs. And the air that we exhale is either released into the atmosphere by the respirator, or taken away for further processing.

Respirators are classified into household, medical, and industrial respirators. There are also isolating and filtering. We are interested in household items.

The respirator design is quite simple:

• the front part in the form of a mask itself or a half mask (external part);
• a filter element, usually a carbon filter (inner part);
• exhalation valves (if any) and inhalation;
• straps for fastening.

Half mask and mask differ in that the first one covers only the lower part of the face, the second one covers the whole face.

The charcoal filter provides a greater degree of protection because charcoal is an excellent purifier and takes up up to 95% of all air pollutants. The exhalation valve is used when it is difficult for a person to breathe in a respirator. It makes breathing easier, but reduces protection due to the possible penetration of contaminated air inside in case of a malfunction or poor quality of the valve itself.

The disadvantages include a weak degree of protection in highly polluted air. However, even in many industries they use them, and not gas masks, for example.

For most women, the face is perhaps the most important part of the body. It is given maximum attention and must always look perfect. Moreover, the face is open at any time and in any weather, which means that it is the skin of the face that is most susceptible to the adverse effects of external factors.

Protection for the skin of the face is an indispensable condition for its beauty and youth. Various means of skin protection are precisely aimed at preventing overdrying and maintaining its elasticity as long as possible.

How to protect?

• Day creams

The simplest and most common such remedy is day creams. As a rule, they have a lighter structure than oily nourishing night remedies, and they do not penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin, but act mainly in its superficial part - soften, moisturize and prevent drying out, protect from dust and dirt. In addition, they often serve as a makeup base. Day creams for oily skin have a mattifying effect, eliminating oily sheen.

Day creams are applied in the morning, about half an hour before going outside. It is especially important to use them in hot and windy weather, and necessarily - in cold, frosty ones.

Everyone is sensitive to frost. In winter, it is recommended to use oily day creams for dry and normal skin, and bold ones for combination and oily skin. During this period, in no case should you neglect regular nourishing masks (at least once every 10 days).

Owners of dry and normal skin can try vegetable oil (, corn,). To do this, a small amount of oil is heated in a water bath and applied to the face using a cotton pad or tampon. After 15 minutes, the oil must be washed off and washed with herbal decoction

• Powder

A layer of powder applied on top of the day cream, together with it, forms a kind of protective film for the skin. It should be borne in mind that in winter, it is not recommended to use creams containing a large amount of water under powder. Before applying the powder, the excess cream must be carefully removed with a napkin.

Even the usual transparent powder is able to trap the sun's rays and prevent them from getting on the skin. Colored powder has more pigment and therefore has a higher UV protection factor. But it is best to use special modern powders with a high SPF. They contain filters that prevent free radicals from damaging the skin. Such powders are very convenient in hot summer weather, when using thick creams is not very pleasant.

But even with powders, you need to remember the basic rule - they need to be constantly updated, since the layer of the product is absorbed and removed from the skin along with sweat, leaving it defenseless under the merciless rays of the sun.

• Foundation

Modern foundations are radically different from those drugs that have been on the market more recently. They have many beneficial properties, such as hold on the skin after application and the ability to adapt to skin tone. But the most important thing is the presence of the SPF integrated into the foundation. This tool solves several issues at once, besides giving the skin beauty and fresh appearance.

A foundation with a protective factor forms a film on the face that protects it from drying out, chapping, the harmful effects of temperature and sunlight, as well as from the ingress of various contaminants.

A modern foundation has many benefits. It not only tones the skin, but also nourishes and moisturizes it. Designed for aging skin, this cream tightens it, smoothes wrinkles. The presence of sun protection in it not only helps protect the skin, but also relieves the need to apply several layers of products on the face: day cream + sunscreen + foundation. As a result, the makeup looks better and the skin is perfectly protected.

• Moisturizing the skin

If you constantly work at the computer, protection for the skin of the face is even more necessary, since in such conditions the risk of premature aging increases.

In addition to using protective day creams and moisturizing night creams, regular irrigation of the skin is recommended (about every 2 hours). For this, special sprays with thermal water are used. They perfectly moisturize the skin without damaging the makeup, and sometimes they can even "fix" it. If the face is not painted, you can irrigate the skin with ordinary mineral water or wipe it with a napkin soaked in it.

Means of skin protection can be not only external. Eating tomatoes and cabbage can also help protect your face from harmful computer radiation. Green tea has a similar effect (you need to drink at least 2 cups a day). Also, make sure that the air in the work area is not dry and stagnant. Regular ventilation is necessary; if possible, it is worth using special humidifiers.

In addition to refreshing the skin with tonics and sprays, it is recommended to use preparations with hyaluronic acid. Now they are in any cosmetic lines, but Asian skin care cosmetics are especially famous for them. You can use hyaluronic acid toners, serums, or creams. All of them perfectly moisturize the skin and protect it from drying out and aging.

• Sunscreen

Protection for the skin of the face in the hot sun is critical. A suitable skin protection product is selected based on individual characteristics (the lighter the skin is by nature, the higher the SPF should be). Apply the cream, oil or spray all over the face (but not close to the eyes) in sufficient quantity. The application must be repeated every 2 hours. And, of course, the golden rule is always relevant - to avoid exposure to the sun during its maximum activity - from 12-00 to 16-00.

By the way, sunscreens for the skin of the face sometimes need to be used in winter, for example, at ski resorts.

Sunscreen is used not only when visiting the beach. In summer, the radiation on city streets is no less dangerous than on the seashore. It is especially important to apply sunscreens when using peels and acidic products - they will protect against skin formation, which will be extremely difficult to remove later.

Summer is coming - a wonderful time of the year, the weather is warm and sunny. I would like to soak up the sun and take a break from cosmetics, there is no desire to apply creams and lotions on my face. But still, one should not naively think that the sun's rays have a negative effect only on nature and the sea coast.

Within the city limits, the sun and dust are equally detrimental to exposed areas of the body and face. Therefore, you should consider how to protect your skin from sun and dust.

Solar radiation

To protect against it, special day creams are used, containing components that help protect the skin from the sun even when exposed to direct rays. Avoid the use of a cream containing fruit acids, they can cause increased sensitivity to solar radiation.

You can use sunglasses to protect your eyes and the skin around them, and they will also save you from the appearance of facial wrinkles in the future, not to mention the fact that glasses can be a stylish and fashionable accessory that complements your wardrobe.

Dust and dirt

To protect the skin from dust, it is periodically recommended to use, for example, home or.

While relaxing in the fresh air, somewhere in nature, you can relax and not worry about how to protect your skin from dust, having rest from everyday cosmetic procedures, but in the city you need to constantly take care of such protection. For these purposes, a cream can also be useful, or you can apply it, which will save the pores from dust, for this it must be crumbly and light, mineral powder is best suited for these purposes.

Taking care of your skin in summer is completely different from taking care of it in winter. In summer, we are faced with many factors that do not work in the best way on the epidermis, it loses moisture, dries up, sweats, and easily absorbs dirt. The skin has to undergo enormous stress, which makes it lifeless and weakened. This includes ultraviolet light, wind, heat, sea salt, indoor air conditioners and much more.

Summer problems

Because of the sun's rays, skin cells age faster, wrinkles appear, especially in the corners of the eyes (from the fact that we constantly wrinkle in the sun). The skin often becomes wet in summer, but this “moisture”, alas, is just a hoax. In the epidermis, the function of the sebaceous glands is activated, due to which the skin becomes coarser, thicker, thus protecting itself from the sun. Fighting this fat can lead to dehydration.

So, the three ingredients that our skin needs in summer are cleansing, protection and, of course, care.

Cleansing

In summer, the air is not only humid and warm, but also very dusty, so bacteria multiply at lightning speed, the sebaceous glands function in an enhanced mode, the pores become clogged. In general, this is an ideal habitat for all sorts of inflammations, acne and acne. Therefore, a thorough cleansing is necessary, not only before going to bed in the evening, but also after coming from the street. The main thing is that it should not be too hard, because the skin is already exposed to excessive stress.

How to wash your skin?

It is best to use products that are free of alkali and soap. They perfectly remove dirt, but at the same time are gentle, various mousses, foams, cosmetic milk.

In no case is it recommended to wash your face with cold running water and soap, this further dehydrates the cells of the epidermis. But it is not forbidden to use a scrub for peeling, on the contrary, it is even useful, but, remember, everything should be in moderation.

A night cream should also be nutritious. A great option is a remedy with vitamins C and E, antioxidants and active moisturizers. Cosmetologists advise against using "winter" creams in summer, as they are more greasy and will clog pores, resulting in excessive sweating of the face.

The real salvation are moisturizing masks, which are best used twice a week. The choice of masks in the summer is huge - both store-bought and home-made from fruits and vegetables.

In the morning it is useful to carry out the toning procedure - rubbing with ice (you can freeze herbal decoctions), which smoothes fine wrinkles and gives the face a fresh, healthy look.

How to protect your face from the sun and summer dust?

There is such a term as photoaging. In summer, this enemy is especially dangerous, as it lies in wait for us not only on the beach, but also just on the street. How to deal with this enemy?

First of all, you should not neglect special creams that protect the skin from ultraviolet rays. Secondly, ordinary sunglasses will come to the rescue, which will save your eyes from wrinkles and "crow's feet". But it is better to forget about creams with fruit acids, as they increase the sensitivity of the epidermis to the sun.

Dust and dirt are constant companions of city life. To protect your skin from various kinds of pollution, it is recommended to use a day cream and powder, which will fill the pores and prevent dust from getting there. In summer, it is better to take a loose powder or mineral powder, which does not weigh down the makeup and is also easier to apply.

The specifics of work in industry require employees to have constant skin care that takes into account the specifics of the profession. If you don't do this regularly, your skin can get worse.

With insufficient skin care, exposure to high and low temperatures, many chemicals, industrial wastes, poisonous dust of lead, manganese, arsenic can lead to dry skin, to its premature aging.

Substances such as oil and products of its distillation (kerosene, tar), petroleum lubricating oils, cooled emulsions can cause the appearance of so-called oily acne on the skin of the face, hands and feet. Initially, many black dots appear, clogging the outflow openings of the follicles and creating a grater sensation if you run your hand over the affected skin. In the future, a pustular rash may develop from them.

Various chemicals that chemical workers come into contact with - lead, arsenic, phosphorus, glue, paints, varnishes, synthetic resins - are harmful to the skin with insufficient protection and lack of care for it.

Cauterizing substances such as sulfuric, hydrochloric, nitric, acetic and other acids, sodium and potassium alkalis, chromium compounds, lime can cause great harm to the skin if they are carelessly handled. Coal dust, acting on the skin, can cause inflammation - dermatitis. Coal dust contamination of the skin and trauma to it by small sharp pieces of coal in coal workers increase the risk of pustular skin diseases. The appearance of hydroadenitis, boils, carbuncles is promoted by increased air humidity, cooling of the body, especially in autumn and winter, and insufficient solar irradiation.

For the prevention of occupational diseases, special care is required for the skin of those parts of the body where it is not covered by clothing. Elastic, clean, constantly softened, and therefore less fragile skin is not so susceptible to the action of various harmful agents (chemical, thermal) and the penetration of pyogenic infection. Before work, the skin should be well washed, fingernails cut short, minor abrasions, cuts treated with iodine or brilliant green, and sealed with adhesive tape or smeared with Novikov or Chernyak liquid during work. Use of special protective creams, ointments and powders for the face and hands is useful. The skin is protected from the action of oils, oil and its derivatives with the CHIOT-6 paste, Selissky's ointment and other means.

For those who work in hot shops, the use of oily face creams due to increased sweating of the skin is not indicated, and even with dry skin, you should use creams recommended for oily ones - "Magic", "Ideal", "Lemon", "Lel", " Strawberry "," Nevsky "," Leningradsky ".

At the end of work, face and hands should be thoroughly washed with soap. To cleanse the face, use lotions "Bio-4", "Arctic", "Start", "Flora", "Camomile", "Freshness", "Cucumber", which remove excess sebum and sweat from the skin.

If it is known in advance that after work it will not be possible to use hot water and soap, you can prepare Rakhmanov's paste and cleanse the skin with it. Its composition: 1 liter of liquid clay, 0.25 liters of kerosene, 0.25 liters of river sand, 75 g of technical sulfuric acid, 1.5 liters of water. Water, acidified with sulfuric acid, is added to the first three constituents. For minor skin lesions, the sulfuric acid included in this paste forms a protective film when interacting with the tissues of the damaged areas.

In a number of industries, sawdust is used to cleanse the skin before washing. Substances such as turpentine, kerosene, acetone, and gasoline are also used for this purpose. Possessing good cleansing properties, these chemical solvents, at the same time, with systematic use, can cause disruption of the integrity of the skin, overdrying, inflammation, and cracks.

Somewhat less harmful are protective and washing paste or 70 ° alcohol.

Great harm is caused to the skin by cleaning it with rinsing water, drained after processing production parts, especially after chrome plating, nickel plating and other similar operations. Mine water also cannot be used - it contains hydrogen sulphide and sulfuric anhydride, which contribute to the formation of a pustular rash.

After work is finished and work clothes and linen are removed, it is good to take a hot soapy-soda bath (1 tablespoon for 1-2 liters of water). To soften and restore normal skin functions, it is recommended to use hand cream, boric or fortified petroleum jelly, Unna's cream, TsKVI fatty ointments No. 1 and 2, and “Satin” or “Lux” cream. For this purpose, you can also use a liquid mixture of glycerin, water, alcohol or cologne and ammonia, taken in equal parts; the mixture should be rubbed into damp hands.