What is a Face Shield?
Another component of the personal protective equipment is the face shield. This product aims to protect the entire face and mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, and mouth of the user from various infectious agents and materials, chemical splashes or hazards, and blood, respiratory, and body fluid splashes.
Face shields need to be used in combination with other protective equipment like goggles and face masks and hence considered as secondary protective devices.
Why do we need a Face Shield?
For healthcare workers, the most affected or contaminated part of the body is the face. The face may get contaminated due to splashes and sprays of body fluids and here the face shields act as protective devices.
Face shields come in various forms but they provide a complete plastic barrier that covers the face. Face shields can be reused indefinitely and can be easily cleaned with soap and water or with any household disinfectant.
Face shields are comfortable to wear as they have a Velcro or an elastic band that helps easy removal and wearing. Due to this the face shields fit snugly and provides good seal and cushion to the forehead portion.
The material used in making face shields allows them to have good visual clarity and optical quality, in turn, to reduce stress on the eyes.
Wearing face shields promotes social distancing without hampering the visibility of facial expressions or verbal speech.
Face shields also reduce the volume of inhalation of the droplet-spread respiratory virus or influenza virus.
How to wear a face shield?
Ideal protection can be achieved when the face shield is worn correctly. The face shield should be worn in such a manner that it should cover the forehead and extend below the chin and also wrap around the side of the face. There should be no gap between the forehead and the shield’s headpiece.
Make of Face Shields
Face shields have visors or screen that is made of several types of materials such as polycarbonate, propionate, acetate, steel or nylon mesh. But the most common and economically used material for making face shields includes polyethene terephthalate glycol (PETG) and polycarbonate. This material offers protection from chemical splashes and other infectious splashes.
Benefits of Face shields
- Easy to wear and remove.
- Protects larger area of the face.
- Relatively inexpensive.
- Disposable but some varieties are reusable.
- Can be worn in combination with other face PPEs.
- Does not impact verbal communication.
- Reduced patient nervousness.
- Anti-fog.
- They have clear visibility.
- Comfortable and lightweight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are plastic face shields reusable?
Yes, face shields can be reused as they are easy to clean with soap and water or with any common household disinfectant.
When should the face shield be cleaned?
The face shield should be cleaned once it has been removed after being in direct contact with the patient or on a regular basis when not working with the patient. The face shield should be cleaned and disinfected when it is soiled
How long should the disposable face shield be used?
The disposable face shields may be used as long as they remain intact and their shape remains the same
Do the disposable face shields provide the same protection as the reusable face shields?
Yes, both types of face shields provide the same protection if worn properly.
Where to buy Face Shields?
Face shields are available in Hyderabad at:
TrueCare Surgicals (Store 1)
Address: H.No 1-100, G2, Hitech City main road, Opposite Indian Oil Petrol Pump, Madhapur, Hyderabad, Telangana 500081.
TrueCare Surgicals (Store 2)
Address: Nizampet X road, Near Sri Holistic Hospital, Behind Vasireddy Swagruha Foods, Kukatpally, Hyderabad, Telangana 500072.
Anil –
Decent product for the price charged. Can be more sturdy.