Are your thoughts of facial pressure transparent?

Facial burns present many psychological and rehabilitation challenges. Many of our patients with facial burns who are children and adolescents have expressed that they prefer to wear the transparent face mask instead of the Jobst hood (Beiersdorf Jobst Inc, Charlotte, NC) with an underlying silicone face pad. However, questions have been raised about the consistency and amount of pressure provided by the transparent face mask. Pressure was measured under the customized transparent face mask, under the customized silicone face pad with a Jobst hood, and under the customized Jobst hood to ascertain pressure differences for a single patient. No significant difference in pressure was observed between the transparent facemask and the silicone face pad with a Jobst hood. We recommend the use of the transparent face mask on patients with severe facial burns who may require pressure to improve the appearance of their scars.