Would a mask liner help with a beard?

My brother has used a bipap for 8 years. He had a stroke a few years ago and had to change to a different full face mask. With deeper lines in his face from health problems, he's developed some leaks along the smile lines. He has a beard (no choice, handicap makes shaving impossible). He got a new cushion, but it's not the cushion as it is still happening. I'm hoping some of you guys with beards may have a suggestion. Will mask liners work with a beard? I'm clueless at this point and honestly, he's been through a lot of masks with his beard and this was the best one: Fisher & Paykel FlexiFit HC431 Full Face CPAP Mask. The leaks annoy him but he does not have large leaks, according to Sleepyhead.

Some do, some don't. If you order direct from Karen, She might have a return policy; check for sure.
Some of us have made a gasket out of a well-worn, clean T-shirt. 1 shirt makes a bunch!
You could also try Lansinoh HPA lanolin (found in the baby dept.)

Hard to say, some find mask liners helpful, some don't. Nothing worked for me, including liners, so off came the full goatee and I never looked back. Sorry to hear about his not being able to shave; that's gotta be tough. Others on this forum report success... I suppose it depends on your bother's beard texture; how long it is; how close it's trimmed to his nose/mouth; how he tolerates leaks, the mask type; the pressure etc. It's a very personal experience with a lot of variables. At least from what I've discovered. Some bearded guys will be along shortly and maybe provide some answers.

Being female, no beard for me. But the SleepWeaver Elan (and their Advance) both claim that because they are fabric they can contour to most any face. I have just switched to the Advance and my leak rate is way down. I have a couple of other issues with it (doesn't swivel, but the Elan does) and the vent system send air out in a bit to wide trajectory. Strategic placing of the sheet takes care of that. SO - might be something to look into.

Sir NoddinOff wrote:Hard to say, some find mask liners helpful, some don't. Nothing worked for me, including liners, so off came the full goatee and I never looked back. Sorry to hear about his not being able to shave; that's gotta be tough. Others on this forum report success... I suppose it depends on your bother's beard texture; how long it is; how close it's trimmed to his nose/mouth; how he tolerates leaks, the mask type; the pressure etc. It's a very personal experience with a lot of variables. At least from what I've discovered. Some bearded guys will be along shortly and maybe provide some answers.

I agree with Sir NoddinOff. Too many variables to say for sure. I have a goatee and have used several masks & liners (homemade & purchased). Some worked better than others, but it turned out to be more about the mask than the liner, in my case. If I keep my beard trimmed close, I get better results. Oddly enough, the Mirage Liberty works better (for my face) than a ComfortGel Blue FF with a liner. Go figure.