Wearing a mask is supported by professionals (like WHO, CDC…) as an effective way to prevent ourselves from flu, viruses, or other airborne diseases in public.
Before the topic of popular mask types, we need to discuss a little about the question below first,
Why Asians are willing to wear face masks?
- Culture
Most Asian countries have been deeply affected by Confucianism for centuries. So, many times Asians would have the same principles in doing things, especially in China, Japan, Korea, and some Southeast Asia countries. So culture can be the first reason why Asians have different points of view from Westerners’ masks in public.
2. Protect others.
Many Asians would wear masks when they feel sick, such as getting a cold or flu, which can stop their droplets from landing on others. Just in case get others infected.
3. Protect themselves.
During the flu season, people would like to wear masks in crowded places, to protect themselves from getting sick from others.
In winter, when cold weather and air pollution occur frequently, people also like to wear medical masks if going outside.
In Japan, it is assumed that approximately 25 million people suffer from hay fever. So, they also have a hay fever season, which is from February through April. During this period, most of the citizens would wear surgical masks to protect themselves from getting allergy symptoms like a swollen lip or red nose.
Let’s talk more about Japanese customers’ preferences.
The picture above was taken on March 4, 2020, and shows people walking in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward while wearing masks amid the hay fever season. Can you find anything in common about the protective masks people were wearing? Yes, based on our export data, most Japanese prefer white color disposable face masks. Which is very different from South Korean customers, who prefer various colors and designs.
4. Protect one’s personal image.
When Asian young women don’t have time or don’t willing to put on makeup, they would probably mask their faces on that day. One is to protect their own personal image, the other is to show their respect towards the people they will meet on that day.
5. Use face masks to build a social firewall.
With too much pressure on living, it’s very common to see Asian young generations not willing to be active in social contact. So, many youths would wear masks too to build a “social firewall” against being approached by strangers, especially in the public transportation system.
6. For fashion, cool, or just want to be outstanding.
Medical face mask is a kind of daily supply in Asia now. But unlike the Japanese, Korean can not satisfied with white color masks, they prefer those with colorful designs. Not simply for protection, but more for fashion, coolness, or just wanting to be outstanding. Let’s check the reports below,
These reports were done by CCTV in June 2020, while the virus issue was very serious at that period. But, Korean people especially the young generations also care very much if masks are fashionable or not.
Our colleagues Jessy and Sandy went to visit our clients in South Korea months ago. Let’s check how many designs and colors of masks can a small face mask shop have.
Why do Asian young people treat face masks as a new fashion statement?
1. Multiple choices have been offered.
Mask wearing has become one of our daily routines, almost as common as having breakfast. Huge demands lead to huge competition between manufacturers. Take China as an example, the number of registered disposable mask manufacturers has been quintupled, compare to the situation before 2019.
So, in order to catch customers’ eyes and stay competitive, some manufacturers began to make difference. Later, various mask colors, ear loops and printing designs come to the market. Those fashionable disposable masks are also with high filtration, which can also be used for disease control and prevention.
After years of wearing common blue and white color masks, these masks become more and more popular, especially among young people. And new designs come out nearly every day.
2. The price is affordable.
If we search for face masks on taobao.com, it is not hard to find that fashionable disposable masks are not as expensive as they are looks.
if production is huge, the Marginal cost would become really low. So, it is very common to see fashionable surgical masks that can be the same price as common masks.
3. Celebrity effect.
A lot of celebrities wear fashionable masks to hide their face from the public, which also influenced a lot of their fans to follow and finally lead to a fashion trend.
Face masks have also acted as accessories for youth. Those in a variety of colors and designs can be a fashionable complement to an outfit.
The most popular 5 types of medical masks in china
1. Morandi Color Face Masks
Morandi colors are well-known as the most comfortable color. Such a beautiful and advanced color it is! The fashion world will not let it go. When surgical masks have acted as fashion accessories, there comes the Morandi color types of masks.
2. Rainbow Color Face Masks
The rainbow color designs are upgraded from the Morandi colors, they are almost gradient Morandi colors, and look downy, natural, gentle, and elegant.
3. Face Mask with Colorful Earloops
A common white color non woven mask with a special color of ear loops, it is a little idea on a daily outfit. Which is fantastic for those who want to be different but do not want to be too notable. This is also the most popular type for customers who want to custom masks with their own brand logo. It is a very good but also cost-efficient way for brand promotion.
4. Black surgical masks
Black surgical masks are usually made of 3 or 4 layers of non-woven material and can provide a high level of protection. In most cases, the protection level can be up to the EU En14683 Type 2R or the US ASTM Level 3.
Black is perceived as a sleek and flattering color. If you wear a black surgical mask, it matches all types of outfits and makes you look more attractive. Let’s also why celebrities prefer black surgical masks.
5. Surgical Masks with designs.
When we search “surgical masks for kids” on Google images, more than half of the results are printed with cartoons, animals and other cute characters. This indicates how kids love custom-printed face masks.
But adults also like these masks, designs with popular elements are very popular on social media.
On the other side, custom-printed masks are also very suitable for brand marketing, a unique nice design can make one’s brand famous on social media in a very short time.
