Wearing an anti-projection protective mask is an additional measure you can follow to protect those around you from COVID-19, even if you are not showing any symptoms. It can be useful for the short time periods when physical distancing is not possible in public settings (e.g., when grocery shopping or in public transit). Additionally, the protective mask effectively supplements implemented hygiene measures by preventing respiratory droplets from an infected source from reaching your mouth and nose.

Although it is a Class 1 medical device in Canada, the Facembrace anti-projection protective mask is not an N95 respiratory mask.

Since April 7th, 2020, the Public Health Agency of Canada recommends (FR) that all Canadians wear non-medical protective masks as an additional measure to combat the spread of the virus responsible for COVID-19. The Facembrace anti-projection protective mask falls into this category.

Protective masks are categorized according to their filtration level and thus offer different degrees of protection. You should pick the filtration level based on the degree of protection required for the task you are performing. For example, working directly with COVID-19 patients requires an N95 respiratory mask. However, a simple anti-projection protective mask, like the Facembrace mask, is suitable for limiting the spread of respiratory droplets through the air when physical distancing is not possible.

To protect yourself in the best way possible, you can verify if your protective mask is produced by a medical device manufacturer recognized by Health Canada (FR). Anti-projection protection masks are considered by Health Canada as Class 1 medical devices because the level of potential risk related to their use is low. Like all Class 1 medical devices, these products cannot hold a medical device license from Health Canada. However, in order to manufacture and sell Class 1 medical devices in Canada, companies must obtain a Health Canada establishment license. To obtain such licence, companies must, among other measures, commit to minimizing risks for the public by instituting a recall mechanism. Rheabrio holds a Health Canada establishment license and is an authorized Class 1 medical device manufacturer, which is a sign of trust for the consumer.

The Facembrace anti-projection protective mask catches respiratory droplets the wearer exhales and prevents droplets from infected people from reaching the wearer’s nose and mouth. However, we cannot guarantee that wearing the Facembrace anti-projection protective mask will protect you from the virus that causes COVID-19, or any other virus. Adopting responsible behaviours that are consistent with public health advice and guidelines, including wearing a protective mask correctly, is the best way to combat any virus. We therefore encourage you to follow the applicable recommendations of the World Health Organization (FR) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (FR).

Yes, provided that the size of the mask is selected accordingly and that the beard is of reasonable size. Contrary to N95 respiratory masks, an airtight fit is not required for the Facembrace anti-projection protective mask to be effective.

The Facembrace anti-projection protective mask must fit the wearer’s face. Please read the instructions on which face measurement to take in order to determine the correct mask size. Regardless of age, if the wearer’s face measurement is less than the lower measurement or greater than the higher measurement, none of the sizes offered will fit. If the size of the protective mask is not tailored to the wearer’s face, it will not offer optimal protection. If this situation applies to you, please contact us. We are continuously working to improve our products and always appreciate your feedback.

Read the User Guide included in the packaging of your protective mask to learn how to put it on, adjust it, and take it off. You may also refer to the following instructions or download the User Guide.

Yes, the Facembrace protective mask is washable and reusable. Read the User Guide included in the packaging of your protective mask to learn how to take care of it. You may also refer to the following washing instructions.

For obvious sanitary reasons, we do not recommend that you share your Facembrace protective mask with anyone, even if it has been washed first.

You should wash your Facembrace protective mask after each time you wear it. Since it dries very quickly, you can wash it several times a day. How frequently you wash it is entirely up to you. This can vary according to how much you sweat, your skin type (oily or dry), and where you are wearing it. Please read the instructions on handling the mask between washes to make sure you are following health guidelines.

The life of your Facembrace protective mask depends on how well you take care of it. Under optimal conditions (several hours of daily wear and careful observation of washing and wearing guidelines), the mask will easily withstand a few dozen of washes and return to its original condition. That said, make sure you replace your protective mask whenever you notice obvious deterioration of the materials (peeling off fabric, discolouration, thinning, etc.).

A properly fitted Facembrace protective mask should cover your face from your chin to halfway up your nose and press against almost your entire face, without feeling constricting. When you put your Facembrace protective mask on, make sure there is a slight opening around your chin for air. This opening will reduce the buildup of heat and moisture and will allow you to breathe freely.

This kind of discomfort occurs typically when the mask is too tight on the face. It is also possible to feel a buildup of moisture on the face caused by poor air circulation if the mask is too small. In these cases, we recommend using a mask one size larger or simply adjusting the elastics. If these are too tight, they may pull on the mask and force it to close over the face, causing discomfort.

The mask doesn't need to be airtight; it just needs to be stable on the face. If your face is relatively flat, it may be more difficult to adjust the mask. However, by rounding the cushioned nasal part and adjusting the elastic bands, the mask should generally fit the face well. If you have a rather wide face and the mask seems outstretched and folds in on itself, review the adjustment of the elastic bands to loosen them, so the mask stops tightening the face. If the problem persists, you may not have the correct size mask.

Please note that the protective mask sizes were developed from anthropometric data from a predominantly Caucasian and African American sample.

Take your mask off by unhooking the bands. Do not touch the front of the mask with your hands. After taking off your mask, temporarily place it in a sealed container until you are able to wash it. This will keep it from potentially contaminating other objects. Always keep in mind that whenever you have worn it, the protective mask may be contaminated. It should not come into contact with anything before being washed. Once it has reached the end of its useful life, dispose of your protective mask in accordance with the standards and laws where you live.

Made from ultra-thin synthetic and biocompatible materials of superior filtration, the Facembrace anti-projection protective mask offers a good standard of particle filtration. Certification tests are ongoing for another type of protective mask, the Facembrace surgical mask, for compliance to ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards.