Nasal Mask Question . . .

I'm curious to know if any particular brand/model of nasal mask has proven to seal better than others. I realize that facial features, etc. vary from person-to-person and that such factors affect how well a mask seals, but is there one in particular that just seems to perform better, i.e. has less problems with leaking?

All faces are different; as are all masks. The key is to find which one is a match for your face.
Alas, it is not always easy or cheap. Silicone masks are not your only choice.
Gel cushions are generally deeper and many allow for more variation in face shape.
SleepWeaver cloth masks are light, soft, and conform well due to having no hard shape.
(our hosts, cpap.com, has free 30 day return insurance on these masks, so the risk is minimal)
Nasal pillows usually fit more people, because of the tiny contact area.

chunkyfrog wrote:All faces are different; as are all masks. The key is to find which one is a match for your face.
Alas, it is not always easy or cheap. Silicone masks are not your only choice.
Gel cushions are generally deeper and many allow for more variation in face shape.
SleepWeaver cloth masks are light, soft, and conform well due to having no hard shape.
(our hosts, cpap.com, has free 30 day return insurance on these masks, so the risk is minimal)
Nasal pillows usually fit more people, because of the tiny contact area.

Thanks for the reply. I have problems with nasal pillows, unfortunately, so that option is out for me. I haven't tried SleepWeaver; perhaps that's worth a try. My current mask has a silicone cushion. I should probably try one of the gel types to see if it makes a difference.

I use the Resmed Mirage Activa and have for about the last 4 years. I tried about 5 other masks prior to sticking with that one. The actual mask or cushion is soft and some people say its like a jelly fish on your face. I am a flipper and flopper and turn side to side all night so this mask works for me in most ways. It seals for me pretty well. My only complaint is that I am very short from the bottom of the nose to the top of my lip and the mask actually sits on my lip (but most do).
I would always recommend this mask for someone that has tried most everything else.

Guest wrote:I use the Resmed Mirage Activa and have for about the last 4 years. I tried about 5 other masks prior to sticking with that one. The actual mask or cushion is soft and some people say its like a jelly fish on your face. I am a flipper and flopper and turn side to side all night so this mask works for me in most ways. It seals for me pretty well. My only complaint is that I am very short from the bottom of the nose to the top of my lip and the mask actually sits on my lip (but most do).
I would always recommend this mask for someone that has tried most everything else.

I did a little on-line research on various gel masks, and they seem to have some definite advantages in terms of better sealing properties. I'm sure there are trade-offs with all types of masks but I too tend to change sides often when I sleep and my silicone mask just won't stay sealed. It keeps waking me up,

I know when I first started I tried many masks and after a while I found the activa. Certainly not perfect but I got comfortable with it. Now several years in I have started to mouth breath a little and I am about to try a full face mask. I am going to be trying the PMI Probasics Zzz-Mask Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear. I don't know anyone that uses it but it sounds interesting. I figure even if I don't like it, it can be my back up mask. I am also interested in the Swift Bella, but I want to check that out a little more first. I realize the Bella doesn't cover the mouth but I don't always need that feature.

rd1978 wrote:

Guest wrote:I use the Resmed Mirage Activa and have for about the last 4 years. I tried about 5 other masks prior to sticking with that one. The actual mask or cushion is soft and some people say its like a jelly fish on your face. I am a flipper and flopper and turn side to side all night so this mask works for me in most ways. It seals for me pretty well. My only complaint is that I am very short from the bottom of the nose to the top of my lip and the mask actually sits on my lip (but most do).
I would always recommend this mask for someone that has tried most everything else.

I did a little on-line research on various gel masks, and they seem to have some definite advantages in terms of better sealing properties. I'm sure there are trade-offs with all types of masks but I too tend to change sides often when I sleep and my silicone mask just won't stay sealed. It keeps waking me up,

The Activa is great and is designed for movement. I've used it and its super comfortable and quiet. See this video review = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1-IC-vQdoI

I have also used the gel version of the Activa, the Mirage Soft Gel, and was less pleased with it. The cushion is pretty hard, being a gel mask, and presses into the skin and upper lip area which, for me, hurt my upper teeth/gums area. I cant comment on other gel masks.

The PR True Blue Nasal Mask is similarly designed for flexible movement. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0q1COS_dOM

I tried several masks getting started and generally prefer nasal pillows but I'm beginning to hange that view. Like others here I use the Mirage Activa silicone as my travel mask and I'm finding more and more that I prefer it to the pillows. It can have a sort of jellyfish or sucking feel to it at times but once I'm asleep I obviously don't notice it. And like the earlier post, I flip side to side at least once or twice a night - much less so now that I'm sleeping through the night.

I tried the soft fabric types and found they leaked terribly for me, but I have facial hair - short beard so that could have been an issue. I've not yet tried the gel masks but will likely soon try the gel version of the Mirage Activa as a test.

Just a little tip on the Sleepweaver. If you are having leaks instead of tightening the mask loosen it until the leaks stop. The higher the pressure the looser the mask needs to be. It will swell out like a balloon against your face. I can roll side to side and on my back without and problems. If this mask is too tight it will leak like crazy.

Stormynights wrote:Just a little tip on the Sleepweaver. If you are having leaks instead of tightening the mask loosen it until the leaks stop. The higher the pressure the looser the mask needs to be. It will swell out like a balloon against your face. I can roll side to side and on my back without and problems. If this mask is too tight it will leak like crazy.

What do you suggest for lower adjusting pressures? I got another Elan, love the comfort just as before but once again having issues getting it to seal below the eyes. I can if I tighten it but that ends up making it rub above the lower lip. Loose works for a few hrs, but the first time I roll over, it's time spent fussing trying to get it to reseal.

Pull it down from the top so it sits mostly on the end of your nose like a clown nose. Instead of sitting on the bridge of the nose at the top make it just sit on the end of your nose. I don't have any problems with leaking in the eyes anymore after I learned this trick. Before I wore an eye mask. The other style of masks you had to tighten to reduce the leaks but the SW has to be very loose to reduce the leaks. Wash it in a tiny bit of Woolite when needed. I don't wash mine every day. I can tell when it is time to wash it. I have oily skin and I was it about once a week.

Another thing to note is what nasal masks are popular with forum members;
even though it is new, the Wisp seems to have much favor here.

Stormynights wrote:Pull it down from the top so it sits mostly on the end of your nose like a clown nose. Instead of sitting on the bridge of the nose at the top make it just sit on the end of your nose. I don't have any problems with leaking in the eyes anymore after I learned this trick. Before I wore an eye mask. The other style of masks you had to tighten to reduce the leaks but the SW has to be very loose to reduce the leaks. Wash it in a tiny bit of Woolite when needed. I don't wash mine every day. I can tell when it is time to wash it. I have oily skin and I was it about once a week.

I have found that pulling it lower does help. It seals but if I wake to roll over I get leaks and most of the time getting it to reseal takes long enough that I end up changing masks and can't get back to sleep. I'm hesitant to try it again, but I need to. I did buy Woolite to wash it in. I really like the Elan.

Did you try loosening the straps instead of tightening?

When I look three years back, when I started CPAPing, Angela, the nice lady at my DME, gave me this traditional nasal mask to try. I took it home with me. But trying to stop the mouth leak I switched and tried about 5 other Full Face masks. But I did not like any of them. With most FF masks my cheeks became chipmunk like. The Fisher and Paykel # 431 and #432 were the only contenders, not to do that. However, having removable dentures (up and down) and trying to sleep without them, these masks were leaking profusely when I made grimaces with my face. So I went back to Angela's choice. Since then I am happy to been realizing unbelievable good treatment, with a Chinstrap.


My nasal mask on someone else's face:



My treatment data for one year:

(On S9 Autoset in APAP mode)

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q241 ... 281927.png