Permanent Mask Marks

[charlestek]

Over the summer I had a change cpap pressure from two sleep studies, from 12 cm to 17 cm. I've had lots of problems getting masks to seal, and the ones I can get to seal, I've had to strap down the mask very hard against my face. So much so that I have cheek and jowl impressions that last for most of the day. I spoke with my dermatologist and he said that the mask is contributing to permanent lines.
The worst part is that I was laid-off from work in September and am job hunting. I cannot schedule interviews 12 hours from awakening so I don't have all these marks on my face. I have pad a cheek liners, but they do not stop the hard pressure lines from the plastic from the mask sealing area pushing into my face. I am quite upset and don't know what to do.

[LSAT]

Why don't you tell us what mask you are using.....you might get some suggestions.

[charlestek]

In general using Quattro, last night used Quattro FX, but it leaks more.

For the most part any mask at 17 requires extreme pressure to keep it sealed.

[Perrybucsdad]

I know with my Quattro FX FFM, if I tighten it too tight, it will leak. I'm not saying let it flop on your face, but I will make it nice and tight, and then loosen it just a little. I get the best seals that way.

Also, have you considered trying one of these total Face masks? Someone on this board I remember pointed them out to be, but I don't recall who that way.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... dgear.html

[charlestek]

I have another post somewhere on the forum. I went to my respiratory care company's mask try-on center and tried about 7 masks. Nothing works well at 17cm.
I have a Philips full face mask, it leaks badly. I also have a Fisher Paykel foam mask and a philips gel mask. They leak too much.

[Sheriff Buford]

I use the fitlife total face mask. Works for me, but may not for others. The total face masks remove the pain and hassle of nose sores (inside and out) and sores on the nose bridge. The sealing area is on the temple and cheek, so there's better chance to getting a good seal. Philps claims that the fitlife is good for beards, but I haven't grown one yet (still working).

You may do a search here on the red marks on the face. I have tried multiple lotions and creams, but believe it or not, I use Afta aftershave. I hadn't used it in a while, and the other day - I put some on and I swear it removed the red mark while I was rubbing it in. The indentions on the face seem to go away later in the day. When I have mentioned to red marks or indentions to other people, I have been told more than once that people wouldn't have noticed it if I hadn't mentioned it.

Sheriff

[Mary Z]

I also used the FitLife Total Face Mask, but in the small size and had permanant marks on my cheeks. Once I changed to the large size- no more marks of any kind.

[charlestek]

Mary and Sheriff, the Fitlife is the Phillips whole facemask I mentioned. However, I did not think to try a different size. I don't know what sizes it comes in.

[Perrybucsdad]

There is also another design of the FitLife mask that may work better too. Both can be seen at https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/total-f ... p-mask.php

[chunkyfrog]

A gel mask allows me to cinch my mask down pretty snug.

[Newbie Woman]

I bought some fabric you make blankets out of. I made a paper pattern from my straps and sewed two pieces of fabric together. You don't need to sew it inside out or hem it because the edges don't ravel. Then you "dress" your strap by threading it through the fabric tube. They cost next to nothing to make and I no longer have mask marks.

[RandyJ]

In general using Quattro, last night used Quattro FX, but it leaks more.

For the most part any mask at 17 requires extreme pressure to keep it sealed.

I use a mask liner from padacheek.com with my Mirage Quattro; you can make it as snug as you like and you won't have marks in the morning. My pressure with apap goes up to 20, so I make it quite snug. I also use the anti-leak strap from padacheek to hold the mask more snugly to my face than I can get it with the straps alone and still don't have marks.

[GumbyCT]

I cannot schedule interviews 12 hours from awakening so I don't have all these marks on my face.

FIRST you've got to stop imagining that even IF someone did notice the mark that they would actually care. All too often we stress about things we know cuz we imagine that EVERYone else knows what we know. Get over that first. It's an ego thing, leave it behind - start working on you.

I have been using nasal seal mask at 18/15 for couple years without making them so tight you can't stand it. There are plenty of post on here where I talk about how.

Briefly, I use knee high panty hose to keep the mask from moving away from my face instead of pushing them INTO my face. Now get over the panty hose thing too. I use a nasal pillows mask the kind the DME's tell you - you can't use if you are over 10 cm.

Fact is the less surface contact the less area you have that can leak. Give it a try.

Good Luck

[charlestek]

A nasal only mask is impractical at 17cm H20. I also have sinus surgery. When you say "get over it", I'm assuming you are talking about you. If I wanted to "get over it", I would not bother posting my issue.

I am looking into oral surgery for apnea, but it is taking me time to get appointments with the surgeons.

[plr66]

Charlestek, just a couple of suggestions. My pressure (12) is not as high as yours, but it did take me several months to get a FFM to properly seal using moderate rather than tight straps. As others have mentioned, I too found that ironically, tighter straps create bigger leak problems. The mask should be comfortable, not loose, and the hard plastic should not be crammed against your face. In fact, it should just barely touch your face, if at all. This allows the air to fill the cushion to seal it. I place my mask against my face carefully before turning on the air. I make sure that the "lip" of the cushion is evenly curled under, all the way around. Experiment with placing it while standing, and while lying on your side. I personally think it's better while standing or sitting upright. If you have a leak, turn off the machine and make a tiny adjustment to the placement of the mask--lifting it off your face just at the place of the leak, and moving it just slightly above or below or to the side--and then try the air again. Sorry to be so tedious with detail, but it really was amazing when I figured out that a tiny movement of the mask can be magical. I do this every night, and just allow a few extra minutes at bedtime to get it right. If I get a leak in the night, it has become an automatic thing to just lift & replace the part of the mask that is leaking--even with the air still blowing.

Another suggestion--I use PadaCheek strap covers, but still have pressure marks of the straps on my face, and have to go to work long before they would disappear. It has been really effective for me to run very hot water over my washcloth in the mornings, and press it against the strap marks while pulling the skin up or down or to the sides to smooth the skin. I do this for just a few seconds, then repeat with fresh hot water, about 10 times. It really works well. I should say, however, that I have no red marks from my mask--just pressure marks. I would Not recommend this if anyone has red skin from the mask, as it will just exacerbate that problem of course.