Tapeing with a mustache.

Is there a way to tape with a trimmed mustache? and what kind of tape, and how to do it, seems like this is the only remedy I haven't tried. I have used chin straps, etc. still have mouth breathing problems. Thanks for any input.
Ed

This is the pattern I use to make my own chin-up strips out of painters' tape.
There is no adhesive on your upper lip, as the lower lip is pulled up over it like a bulldog caricature.
This might work if your 'stache doesn't tickle your lower lip too much.
The commercial product comes in different shapes and adhesive strengths.

I have a mustache and I have used tape. Surprisingly, it's not as bad as one might think. It just requires a little care in removal, but not much more than removing from bare skin. Mostly, I have used the medical paper tape sometime suggested on the forum.
CF's suggestion is a good one. I've used similar with some success.
Another suggestion which I have used with success is to tape vertically, rather than horizontally, just one strip (3/4" or 1") from beneath the nose to just beneath the lower lip. This minimizes the contact area and does work to keep the mouth closed if jaw drop is the problem.
No, I don't use it now. I've finally learned to keep my mouth closed, I guess. My problem was my jaw would drop and fall out of the bottom of my full face mask. Yes, I still use a full face mask. Even though my jaw doesn't drop, I still have throat to mouth leaks. Using a nasal only mask, and full tape, I could prevent leakage, but the pressure build up inside my mouth (chipmunk cheeks) was so uncomfortable, I chose to just go with the full face.
Try it (tape) the most you could lose is a little hair

I use the partial taping system that others have described, and find that silk tape works very well. I don't have a mustache, but suspect that the silk tape would be worth trying if you have a mustache. I'm cutting and pasting what I've posted before, below, in case it helps. Good luck!

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For my FFM (full face mask) use I found it started working a whole lot better when I started using tape. For me, the "partial tape method" solves most of the issues with "mouth breathing" and "draw drop," which interrrupts the seal of a FFM (full face mask) because my face changes shape when that occurs and the seal is broken. It's not for everyone, but here's what I'd suggest:

Some people end up using chin straps with FFM's. I tried and disliked chin straps. I have now been using surgical tape for about a year now, and it has worked wonders and works very well for me. I use silk surgical type tape you can get off of Amazon, 2" wide. There's also a 1" wide version. If you gently pull it off in the morning, there's usually no problem. Just type something like "3M-Durapore-Silk-Tape 2 inches x 10 yards - box of 6" or the like on the Amazon site. For me, it works very well with a full face mask (FFM) -- the FFM helps prevent pressure problems if my jaw does open slightly, and the tape substantially prevents my jaw from dropping and also thereby keeps my face largely in the same "position" as I fall asleep (thereby avoiding the inevitable leaks that can occur when your facial shape changes from the point of initial placement/tightening of the mask). .

I was actually worried about not being able to breath with the tape if there was a shut-down. I've found that this set-up, however, offers very few worries:

For the silk tape, apply a 2inch wide strip vertically from a spot just above your upper lip (the indentation just below your nose) down to just under your chin (with your lips closed and your jaw in a comfortable place). As you bring the tape and press it underneath your chin, "fold" the edge back on itself (maybe a 1/2 inch or so) so that the edge hangs a bit from your chin -- makes for easier removal in case of emergency. Because it's only 2 inches wide and vertically placed, your entire mouth is actually not taped -- you can, in a pinch, breath around the edges -- and the silk tape itself I've found by accident (in opening my mouth with it being placed) will also let a little air in if you open your mouth forcefully. In short, it doesn't take too much force to maneuver or breath around the silk tape, but at the same time the tape seems to mostly keep my jaw from dropping when I relax and fall asleep, which is the whole point. [The setup also seems to work best when combined with the technique, described elsewhere on this site, of learning to relax with the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth as your mouth is closed, which "seals" the mouth from the nasal passage and helps prevent dry mouth]. (In placing the tape, I've also found it helpful to focus on firming the contact with the skin at the point below the nose and under the chin more than the lips, which seems to leave a little area of the lip region feeling less taped, if that makes sense). [To remove with less "tear", try pulling up vertically from underneath the chin till you reach your lip, then pull across "horizontally" for the remainder.]

The usual caveats about making up your own mind about this, considering safety issues, etc. apply, of course. But frankly, I'm surprised more people don't do this.

My mustache is quite small, as befitting a frog.

chunkyfrog wrote:My mustache is quite small, as befitting a frog.

no 'wilford brimley' effect for you, eh?

Hurricane wrote:Is there a way to tape with a trimmed mustache? Ed

I have a mustache. I used Polident denture strips and glued my lips shut.
It worked fine............but what a PITA.

Just get a full face mask.
Once you go full, you'll never go back.

As somebody else mentioned regarding taping, I got by for months with vertical and even horizontal taping, but eventually I had to switch to a full face mask to get the sleep I needed. IMO, good sleep trumps all, but that's just me. It appears some people can tape their mouths satisfactorily with facial hair and others tend to have bad results. I was in the latter group... now I am clean shaven and I can't say that being clean shaven has changed my life in any dramatic way. That being said, I can understand why some folks are resistant to the idea. Trimming back your facial hair and even nightly shaving of the tape contact areas may get the job done if you are diligent... good luck, and I hope you sort it all out.