Choosing an appropriate form of the mask is very important for your health! Especially in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing the right form of the mask has become a lot more important – Oftentimes, the sole line of defense between the highly contagious COVID-19 virus and the human body is these face masks! Even in work environments, the use of face masks is widespread such as in hospitals, clinics, factories, laboratories, and so on.

But if you search for any type of face mask, you will see terms being used such as 1-ply, 2-ply, and 3-ply. For a newcomer, it can become a confusing task to know what’s the difference between them and, more importantly, which one to use for the best outcome.

So without wasting time, let’s look at the difference between these 3 types of face masks & what to look out for during your purchase… 

1-Ply Face Mask

A 1-ply face mask is made from a single layer of polypropylene or any other form of material. Among all the 3 types, this one is the cheapest and is also at the lowest end when it comes to providing protection.

Being single layer, this type of mask is useless against most viruses and bacteria as they can easily pass through the single layer fabric of this face mask. Experts recommend throwing away the 1-Ply mask after normal daily usage & using a new one next time. 

2-Ply Face Mask

This is a step-up from the 1-Ply mask and consists of 2 layers of similar material, which is usually polypropylene or something else. Compared with the 1-Play mask, this one provides additional protection, but it doesn’t have any filter layer. That’s why it can be used for protection against hazardous microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, haze, and so on.

The common use of 2-ply face masks is in restaurants and spas. The only purpose of using these 2-play masks is for coverage of the openings such as mouth & nose for sanitary appearances. It can provide protection against large-sized particles such as bugs, dust particles, and so on. This type of mask cannot filter the air efficiently.

3-Ply Face Mask

This is a medical-grade mask that can be used in surgical and medical settings. As the name implies, it consists of three layers of similar fabric – Each layer of this face mask serves a very special purpose.

The outermost layer is also known as the hydrophobic layer. It can provide protection against blood, water, or any other body fluids.

The middle layer is the filter layer which can effectively filter any bacteria present in the atmosphere. Experts believe that the middle layer is the most important one as it can also filter any water droplets.

The innermost layer is a hydrophilic layer that can absorb spit, water, and sweat.

Many studies have shown that the effectiveness of the 3-ply mask is almost similar to that of the N95 mask against common infections such as influenza. Due to its multiple layers, it can reduce the spread of various harmful bacteria, viruses, and germs.

The Verdict

Now that you know what the purpose of each face mask is, you can choose a type that fullfills your needs & budget! If you want good protection against the virus, then you need to choose the 3-Ply mask or the N95. 

PPE Supplies Australia

As part of our commitment to safety, we have a bulk supply of disposable face masks that feature a 3 ply design that creates an effective barrier to provide a high level of protection for the mouth and nose. Visit https://ppesupplies.com.au/bulk-face-masks/ to see our complete range, or just contact us at [email protected] / (03) 9087 8367.