Why are face/nose masks so popular?

[Catherine]

I understand using them if you're sick, around babies and at the hospital, but I've seen ones used as a fashion item. I've also seen them used as much as American's use hand sanitizer.

Am I missing something?  

[Nana Shinu Ai]

does Gloves consider something useful for people?  

[Catherine]

Kawaii Yami Rorita

does Gloves consider something useful for people?

Yeah I guess.
I just only see people wearing masks like that around the hospital, or painting. I was wanting to know if it's just something that Japan has done to try and prevent germs, like having tissues everywhere. America has hand sanitizer everywhere, and I would love to see the tissues and masks here too, but I don't think that will happen.

I plastic rubber gloves in hospitals, and other gloves in winter.  

[Nana Shinu Ai]

Yeah i think it should be helpful. So far Kaiser had mask face. so it would prevent others from spreading the illness.  

[Nana Shinu Ai]

mask are helpful. Not only that they have boots that are specials for patients to help their feet when they need it to get up and move.  

[Befunfire]

Maybe people want to "look" good, even if they are ill.  

[Nana Shinu Ai]

that could be true. But they use it for other stuff.  

[Nana Shinu Ai]

Or it a hobby they have.  

[Captain Slow]

The proper face masks that cover the nose and mouth are used when someone is sick with a cold / flu. It's so that their sneezing and such doesn't effect those around them - kind of a courtesy thing.

I've never really understood the fashion versions, though. Probably has something to do with the kegadoru trend.  

[oTrissa]

Uh that one guy in Japanese music who wore it. His fashion was visual kei. Forget his name? Or you mean the doctor looking mask? That's just popular in a few fashion styles in japan. But it's also good to prevent germs.