Newb question. Facial hair and full mask

ahagen · Post by **ahagen** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 6:47 am

I am going this morning to get my machine, and be fitted for my mask. During my study I was given a nasal mask which worked okay, but opening my mouth made it uncomfortable. I was told that a full mask was not right for me because of my facial hair. Is this true? I know some folks with full beards that have full mask. They never complained about theirs not sealing.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 6:56 am

Believe the people who have actually USED cpap.
The rest are only blowing hot air.

ahagen · Post by **ahagen** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 7:51 am

Will do!! Hahaha! Thank you.

FreeIndeed · Post by **FreeIndeed** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 7:54 am

I have a goatee and soul patch and they never seem to be a problem. I'm using a hybrid Resmed liberty, not full face, but I don;t think it'll be an issue for you.

nanwilson · Post by **nanwilson** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 9:11 am

I have a friend that has a full beard and uses a full face mask with no problems. I believe he uses a Quattro ffm.
Don't believe everything your DME tells you, they have been known to frequently look you right in the eyes and straight out lie. .

ahagen · Post by **ahagen** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:06 am

Thanks guys. They gave me a Resmed Escape 9, and I felt comfortable with the Airfit F10. Thoughts on any of these?

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:35 am

ahagen wrote:They gave me a Resmed Escape 9, and I felt comfortable with the Airfit F10. Thoughts on any of these?

Give it back. It's a brick machine...no data at all.
The Escape 9 won't be able to tell you if your mask is leaking or not and that's a real important detail to know. If leaks aren't well managed you entire therapy can be in jeopardy and believe me...people can sleep through some pretty massive leaks.

Besides...it's old technology...the newer ResMed models have been out more than a year now.
Newer model...AirSense 10
You want either the AirSense 10 Elite or preferably the AirSense 10 Autoset.
See here
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment/cpapmachines

and read this blog and especially the part about "help, I am stuck with a brick"....we call those non data machines "bricks".
https://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

Fix your profile..it's showing the S9 Autoset right now and that is full data and having it show the AutoSet is going to confuse people. If the S9 Escape isn't an option in the menu...choose nothing and just add it in the comments line.

Okie bipap · Post by **Okie bipap** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:54 am

When I had my first titration study done, I had a full beard. They had to use a liner under the mask in order to get a good enough seal. Depending on what your pressure is, you may not be able to get a good seal with a beard. I ended up shaving my beard off because I could not get a good seal with my pressure requirements.

ahagen · Post by **ahagen** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 12:02 pm

I hope it works out for me. Tonight will be my first night with it on. I have not yet had my follow up with my doctor. That is Monday. I will have many questions for him.

Sir NoddinOff · Post by **Sir NoddinOff** » Sat Oct 24, 2015 9:37 am

Regarding FFMs: Having had a large goatee I found if you trim and use a razor to give the cushion some room to contact reasonably smooth skin you'll do fine. Certainly this applies to nasal pillows too, not to mention trimming nasal hair. It doesn't take a lot of area to get a leak-free fit. Also it depends on your pressure and how your mask fits your face. IOWs, If you have a lot of bushy hair close around your mouth your going to have more leak issues to deal with, that's for certain.

I found it such a hassle to meticulously trim and shave my mask contact area that finally after a year I said screw it and am now clean shaven. However, many people who have full beards on this forum swear they are fine wearing masks with a full beard. Some of them will probably check in today.

Since you asked: I like the F10 and think it easily beats the Quattro line of masks. Also, like Pugsy said, take that 'brick' back so you can get info.

glarnold · Post by **glarnold** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 6:41 am

FFM, full beard, 10 years, several different masks. No air leak problems. Just my 10 cents worth.

OSAdude76 · Post by **OSAdude76** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 8:56 am

I have a beard and when I was getting my CPAP I was told that an FFM would be fine as long as the leak wasn't too bad and didn't go into my eyes. I ended up with the nasal pillows one anyway, but I think the FFM would have been fine (and I still might get one in case I get sick)

Greg Riddle · Post by **Greg Riddle** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 10:28 am

I use a ffm. Don't have leak issues with beard but it does feel a bit uncomfortable

ahagen · Post by **ahagen** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 8:11 am

Thanks guys! The F10 seems to be working good right now.

pettyfan45 · Post by **pettyfan45** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 8:33 am

Yeah, I'd imagine as long as you don't do something like this this https://photographicdictionary.com/b/beard you should be good.

Newb question. Facial hair and full mask

Newb question. Facial hair and full mask

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Re: Newb question. Facial hair and full mask

Re: Newb question. Facial hair and full mask

Re: Newb question. Facial hair and full mask

Re: Newb question. Facial hair and full mask

Re: Newb question. Facial hair and full mask

Re: Newb question. Facial hair and full mask

Re: Newb question. Facial hair and full mask

Re: Newb question. Facial hair and full mask

Re: Newb question. Facial hair and full mask

Re: Newb question. Facial hair and full mask

Re: Newb question. Facial hair and full mask

Re: Newb question. Facial hair and full mask

Re: Newb question. Facial hair and full mask

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Pressure at 7-20, Climateline Air heated tube