A mask that goes over the face of the wearer. face masks have a few different variants under the same term. There's the surgical face mask which is a rectangular folded piece of non-woven fiber/paper material with elastic bands that go over the ears of the wearer and is worn over the nose and mouth to minimize or prevent contaminants being inhaled or exhaled. because of this, surgical masks are one-use disposables.

A surgical mask in medical field is worn by surgeons in operating rooms, by doctors and nurses in intensive care units.

However it also is a custom in Asian countries to wear a face mask as a civilian to prevent spreading disease. Elsewhere, it has seen wide adoption during the covid-19 pandemic, where most countries had policies making mask-wearing mandatory in various public and social gathering situations.

Another variant is the beauty face mask, which goes over the entire face with exception of the mouth. it often consists of products for cosmetic purposes to heal, vitalize or remove dead skin.

Last variant can be a decorative face mask, which can be worn for cermonial, ritual, or also cosmetic purposes. these masks usually tend to cover the upper face but can be made in any way, shape or form as it often treated as an artistic or symbolic requisite, rather than with a useful purpose.
A common example of such symbolism is the smiling mask that displays comedy, and frowning mask that displays tragedy. this pair of masks is a common symbol portrayed in theatrical events.

See also

• mask
• face_mask

See topic #30671
It is advised to use mask instead.