The Difference Between a Surgical Mask and a Respirator Mask & The Right Mask For You

When the coronavirus pandemic hit us in 2020, wearing masks in a public setting became mandatory in most countries. For the uninitiated, wearing a mask offers two-way protection, in that, they protect the wearer as well as the people around from contracting suspended pathogens in the atmosphere. However, when it comes to highly effective, sturdy masks that are fail-proof in protecting us from any kind of virus, there are two kinds that exist out there with varying degrees of protection. These include:

Surgical Masks
These are small pieces of cloth majorly designed in blue or green and sometimes in pink in colour with tiny perforations. They don’t have grade rating like respirator masks, however, they are approved for sale by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It should be kept in mind that they are not a substitute for a respirator mask. In a healthcare setting, the surgical masks are sterlised and are mostly used in operation theatres. The material used for these masks is usually 20- 25 grams per square meter in density. Masks can also be made of materials like polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, or polyester.
These are worn to keep the germs from the wearer’s coughs and sneezes to themselves or to prevent the wearer from picking up outside viruses and bacteria. Surgical masks are also made of a multi-layered structure, that covers the meltblown layer which keeps the bacteria and viruses at bay with non-woven bonded fabrics on both sides.
At the end of the day, they act as a general physical block to prevent any major exposure for the mouth and the nose.

Respirator Masks
Respirator masks, on the other hand, are more sturdy and contain multiple layers of protection that helps prevent smaller, more minute particles from passing through to enter the wearer’s respiratory system. Respirator masks have variants and one of the most common types out there is the N-95 and the KN-95 masks, which, when used correctly, provide a complete 95 percent protection from all kinds of particles from entering the mouth or the nose.
With respirator masks, because they filter out smaller particles, they also offer protection against different kinds of pathogens out there.
These masks are considered to give a higher-level of protection especially in a pandemic where we have a highly contagious disease like the coronavirus on the loose.

When are respirator masks used?
While, normally it’s the health care providers who wear these masks, not patients or the general public, amid a pandemic like the one we’re dealing with presently, it’s advisable for everyone to get the best protection while stepping out to help prevent the spread of the disease. While one even has the option to choose cloth masks today, to get assured protection, one should get a respirator masks with multiple layers of protection so one can be stress-free when outside.

Why choose Hi Life multi-layered protective masks?
Our masks provide superior quality protection with numerous layers which include the likes of the outermost and the innermost non-woven layers that make the fabric soft on the skin when worn, this is followed by 2 meltblown layers for enhanced protection against various bacteria and viruses. Lastly, there is also a hot wind filter layer that enhances the filtration process of the mask.
Despite having 5 layers of protection, the Hi Life multi-layered mask is extremely lightweight and breathable. Get the best protection when you step out for work or chores with our masks on your side.