Pilairo Q Nasal pillows mask

Has anyone used or is using the Pilairo Q pillows mask? I find that it looks like it has an excellent seal by the "butterflies" that come out on the outside of the mask, looking almost like a cross between a nasal mask and a nasal pillows mask. However, no matter how much I tighten the straps, it seems that this nasal mask covers up my upper lip no matter how I adjust it. If it is loose,it comes down to the middle of my lip. Does anyone have experience with this pillow mask? Thank you.

I use it and like it. Yep, it covers the upper lip, which took some getting used to.

I use the Pilairo mask despite what says on the bottom. First, loosen the headgear, that could be part of your problem. Then put the nose piece while your machine is running. Then place the prongs in your nose until you get a good seal. The prongs will not be pushed into your nose but will rest easily and the device forms the seal not you. After you have gotten a good seal gently push the piece up until it rests on your mustache area. You cannot do this if the gear is on too tight. Let the pillows do their job.

I like the Pilairo Q. I use the single headstrap and it holds the mask in place. Also, I found that going to a lighter weight hose reduced the pulling on the mask.
It took awhile to get use to it, as I would feel some leaking on the side of my face. Once I watched the company's video on how to wear the Pilairo, it made it easier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMXpnUmc5Go

I'm a side sleeper and the PIlairo was so lightweight it kept getting knocked off my face. Also the swivel/short hose in the front is not as flexible as the Eson and didn't work well for me with a hose buddy. I stuck with the Eson Nasal mask as it's a lot more reliable for me.

My wife has been using CPAP for 3 years and was attracted to the Pilairo Q, which she has been using with good comfort and performance. I thought it appropriate to offer our experiences and impressions with the Pilairo Q. In designing the pillows, it seems there was a need to make the silicon material quite thin to allow a good inflation seal. In this, the design is good but in so doing, the material is fragile and should you remove the pillows for cleaning daily, the silicon is apt to tear after a few months or less. This leads to a need to regularly replace the pillows. I doubt that the pillows design was tested for long enough to determine their eventual fragility (much like the flimsy strap of the original headgear). Now, this would not be a problem if the pillows were available at a fair price. Here in Australia however, replacement pillows (if you are stupid enough to pay the premium charged) cost A$60 a time. I buy pillows from USA for less than half of that. I have noticed that CPAP suppliers of all persuasions think we in Australia are all a bit soft in the head. Maybe we have become conditioned to think all things medical are gold plated and therefore should be very expensive? My wife has used nasal pillow masks from other manufacturers before the Pilairo Q (which she likes) and has never had to replace these other pillows for (quote) "reasons of hygiene". Maybe I am just cynical but this looks like just an excuse to cover the fragility of the Pilairo Q pillows and make a good income at the same time by selling lots of replacement parts. Why not just make the pillows a bit more robust so they don't tear at the creases? Maybe I am just cynical but I can't get any answers from any of the suppliers that I have contacted here in Australia. I would be most interested in hearing the experiences of others.

Luthie2006 wrote:Has anyone used or is using the Pilairo Q pillows mask? I find that it looks like it has an excellent seal by the "butterflies" that come out on the outside of the mask, looking almost like a cross between a nasal mask and a nasal pillows mask. However, no matter how much I tighten the straps, it seems that this nasal mask covers up my upper lip no matter how I adjust it. If it is loose,it comes down to the middle of my lip. Does anyone have experience with this pillow mask? Thank you.

I use it and it works for me. Could be the shape of your face or nostrils that is causing the problem. Which straps are you using? They come with two. The single strand one or the the two strap one? Maybe try the one you aren't using.

As for fragility, I guess I've been careful to avoid tearing the pillow since it just looks easier to tear. The pillow is replaceable too.

Click on the Pilairo link in my signature, they show pictures on how it fits on your face. It's going to cover/ touch your upper lip some.