Will faces "toughen up" over time? (FFM)

[yoshi]

It is looking like I have to pick the "lesser of evils" and just choose a mask. I've always been an easy bruiser. I had that checked out many years ago, docs have said everything checks out and that the bruising is one of my quirks.

So my question is, does the face actually toughen up over time with a FFM, or is bruising something that will always occur for me?

[CaptainRaven40]

That's hard to answer. Some people are able to wear them and not have any problems after time. But if you already have bruising problems and you're very easily bruised and always have been then you may always bruise. It's hard to say. I am no doctor that is for sure.

[Pugsy]

No mask should ever cause actual bruising of the skin. There's something wrong somewhere when broken blood vessels occur which is what bruising is.
Now minor tenderness and feeling like it is bruised is one thing but actual bruising is another.
IMHO I don't know if it is the skin that "toughens" up or people learn to not have the mask positioned in a manner to caused bruising or abrasions or whatever. "Toughen up" to me invokes images of a callus forming and that is just plain wrong to accept a callus on the nose or face.
Now I have experienced minor tenderness but that was more of an issue with the straps being too tight and not my skin. I bruise easily also and I wouldn't accept actual bruising as a fact of life to live with when it comes to a mask.

Have you tried a mask liner (you can make a DIY liner out of an old Tshirt) to see if it helps your situation?

[Goofproof]

There are medical reasons for brusing, you may have something that can be helped, or be taking a drug that makes it worse. If your mask is adjusted correctly and fits, it shouldn't bruse you, at the bridge of the nose you can protect that area until it heals.

Over time the face structure tends to conform to the mask, making the fit and seal better. Jim

[chunkyfrog]

Some people's skin is more sensitive to trauma.
The causes may be hereditary or related to disease.
If you like a nasal pillow mask, may I suggest the Respironics Nuance?
The pillows have a ring of blue gel where the nares rest, and they are very soft.
There are two styles of frame and headgear, so you could chose one you prefer.

[yoshi]

I think the biggest problem with my trials is when they fit me with a mask, I'm sitting in a chair. I think gravity and sleeping position really affects the mask seal, despite them pushing the mask around to maintain a good seal. It seems as though when they fit in the office, the mask is leaky when I lay down and actually sleep.

On the night of my first FFM I noticed hisses at my lower settings. I took note of where the DME set my head gear and slowly cinched it until I could not hear the hiss anymore (or feel air leaks with my finger). I noticed red pressure marks from night one with it down the lower edge/length of my nose, it was by the third night it had discolored to a bruise around my nares. I looked at where my settings were in comparison to the original settings, and it was maybe 1/8" difference total, nothing huge. Sitting upright, it felt like it was floating and not squished against my face. I think the bruise was probably from repeated use (like if I were to poke the same spot over and over on your arm, first it's red but eventually it will bruise).

The TFM mask I used, I didn't touch the settings at all. Zero leaks, but again got the same day 1 pressure marks. It was still tender and the marks were visible by bedtime so I switched to my P10 (changed the EPR to a 3 to see if mouth leaks would go away, sadly no). I'm pretty sure if the TFM went back on for night 2, the pressure points would discolor like my nose did.

I haven't tried the liners yet, that was going to be my next try before I return the masks.

[Wulfman...]

All things being equal........no mask (full face or otherwise) should "hurt" you.
If it does, it's either the wrong mask, wrong size or not properly adjusted. A properly sized and adjusted mask should "float" on your face. The cushions/seals need to expand with air to seal to your face. Cinching them down too tight can cause leaks.

The only mask that actually "hurt" me was a Respironics Comfortfull 2. I had already been using my UMFF for over a year and decided to try a mask like I wore in my sleep study the previous year. For whatever reason, it cut into the area between my chin and lip. I just couldn't get it adjusted to not leak and not hurt me.......and gave up after three nights.

With my UMFF masks, I hardly know they're on my face.


Den

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