FAQ's
How often should the filters be changed?
If you are doing things like going shopping or going to the bank, we recommend changing the filter every few weeks. If you are in a high dust deconstruction zone, chemical fire, or high smoke area, we suggest changing the filter daily.
What color filters are available?
The filters are the two bands which run along the cheek area on either side of the face. The filters come in Black and White. It is very easy to personalize your mask beyond these two colors as well! Please see the section "Tattoo your light warrior mask" within the campaign for more information.
At the end of the campaign, we will send out a survey where you will be able to specify which color filters you would like.
How do I insert the filters?
This is a frame for the filter within the silicone shield, and the filters are inserted into this filter cavity. It's kind of like putting a peg in a hole!
How do I order add-ons such as additional filters and and ear hooks?
To receive ear hooks and/or additional filters with your reward, you can add the appropriate amount to your Kickstarter pledge now ($18 for an additional pack of ten filters with your reward, and $8 for optional ear hooks with your reward). We will verify that you receive everything by sending out a survey at the end of the campaign. Please note that you will not be able to add additional items through the survey, so please increase your Kickstarter pledge to reflect any additional items before the campaign ends; once the campaign ends, you can order more filters and ear hooks from our website: https://seeus-95.com
Will the mask fog?
The silicone shield will have an anti-fog coating similar to scuba masks and swimming goggles. Fog occurs when there is condensation due to a temperature difference between the material of the shield and the inside temperature. Once both acclimate to the same temperature, the fog disappears. The anti-fog coating will help reduce condensation, but some slight fogging might occur at first if there is a temperature change. You can read more about fogging under the section "Anti-Fog Coating."
Does the mask work with glasses?
The mask works well with glasses! Traditional surgical and cloth masks have gaps in the area around the nose bridge and under the eye, allowing unfiltered air to come through and fog glasses. We believe our mask works better with glasses then traditional surgical or cloth masks because our mask uses an adhesive Skin Therapy Layer to create a seal in the area around the nose bridge and under-eye area. This adhesive feature of our mask with the seal around the nose and eye areas was designed specifically to address fogging issues when wearing glasses. The positioning of the filters by the cheek area also means that exhaled air does not move upwards towards glasses. Thus, unfiltered air does not escape towards the eyes and glasses won't fog while wearing the mask. We are also incorporating an anti-fog coating in the final mass produced version of the mask. This will help prevent fogging as well. Please take a look at our campaign in the section titled "anti-fog" where we go into more detail about condensation and temperature.
Some of us on the SEEUS95 team wear glasses, and you can find a video of our founder, Alice, wearing the mask with glasses here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE2dC0bqPH0
You can see in this video that glasses still fit well while wearing the mask! In fact, because the side wings of the mask are at the temples, your glasses become the ear hooks in a sense by way of the glasses being on top of the silicone. This will help keep the mask in place.
Please note that we are incorporating an anti-fog coating in the final mass produced version of the mask; the mask in the demo video does not have the anti fog coating on it as it is a prototype so you may notice slight fogging.
Does the mask work with a beard?
Beards will be pressed down by the mask and thus interfere with the N95 rating. However, we still believe SEEUS95 efficacy is better than a surgical mask or cloth mask due to the seal in the area around the nose bridge and under the eye area. This area is where we commonly see gaps in surgical and cloth masks, causing air to be unfiltered at those points. Even the stiff aluminum bar that presses around the nose can still have gaping - this is why your glasses can fog up frequently while wearing a mask!
While human hair has historically been used for filtering water and air, we have not found much data on the efficacy of human hair as a filter for viruses. We recommend cleaning beard hairs frequently in order to ensure there are no lingering particles in the beard hair itself.
How does the mask adhere to different skin types and facial products?
Before putting on your mask, we recommend cleaning your skin. This ensures that the chitosan layer can fully pamper your skin, and also ensures less oily skin for better adhesion. The mask can be worn with lotion such as sunscreen and makeup. If you wear makeup, we suggest using a finishing powder so your skin is less oily.
The Skin Therapy Layer (STL) is good at adhering to skin that is a little oily. Most people secrete oil in the t-zone area and less in the under-eye and temple area which is where the mask adheres to the face. However, if you have extremely oily skin, it may be a good idea to add the optional ear hooks.
The mask can adhere to skin with sweat; we have tested the mask while working out and it stayed in place for an hour. We do not recommend this mask for extreme sweating conditions and if you sweat more than 2 liters a day.
How do I keep the adhesive sticky?
The adhesive layer remains sticky with proper care. Sanitizing the mask by microwaving for 3 minutes revives the stickiness. If there is excess dirt, you can wash the mask with soap and water and then microwave for a final clean. Note that we do not recommend using a rough material like a scrubber for cleaning; a gentle cloth, sponge, or even alcohol wipe works nicely.
What setting should microwave sanitization occur?
The mask should be put in the microwave for 3 minutes on HI setting. This is the usual time for sanitization with a microwave. Make sure you take out the filters before putting it in the microwave! The silicone may be a bit hot to the touch once microwaving is complete, so be careful when removing it from the microwave. Let it cool for a few minutes before putting on your face.
What mask certification are you seeking?
We are working towards an N95 rating in the USA and are using FDA approved medical grade silicone. So far, early testing on our filters using natural material and fibers has been positive. You can read more about testing and our filter by looking under the header "Testing SEEUS95" and "Filter with natural fibers" in our campaign page.
Please note that the mask can be used with or without N95 due to the quick release design of the mask: for an air tight seal, the perimeter STL needs to be in contact with the skin. If you want to release the air tight seal, just pull the mask up under the chin area so it does not have contact with the skin. Without the air tight seal, mask efficacy will be similar to wearing a cloth mask or a surgical mask, although better protection for those NOT wearing the SEEUS95 mask as well as for the wearer due to the shield element of the design.
Can I talk with the mask on? How are the acoustics?
You CAN talk with the mask on. The medical grade silicone acts like a second skin and moves and stretches with your facial expressions. Thus, it won't fall off as you talk! While the sound won't be the same as having no mask at all, we do think the sound is slightly better than cloth masks. This is because we designed the mask to have a larger volume in front of the mouth area, which amplifies the sound and allows you to be heard clearly. Of course, we didn't want the mask volume to be too large because we are designers at heart and want you to look good while wearing your mask! You can find a video demonstrating mask acoustics here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE2dC0bqPH0
Please note that we are incorporating an anti-fog coating in the final mass produced version of the mask; the mask in the demo video does not have the anti fog coating on it as it is a prototype so you may notice slight fogging.
How does the sound compare when speaking with the mask on and when speaking with the mask off?
We have created a demo for you to see and hear a sound bite of what the sound is like when speaking with the SEEUS95 mask on. Copy and paste the link to our YouTube channel, where you will find the sound demo. You will also see how to put on and take off the mask in the same video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf4z1HYAKTQ
Please note that we are incorporating an anti-fog coating in the final mass produced version of the mask; the mask in the demo video does not have the anti fog coating on it as it is a prototype so you may notice slight fogging.
