Looking for advice from guys with facial hair

[dlanbro]

Greetings all,
It's been a while since I posted and have missed you all. I'm still only a few months into my therapy and have had my ups and downs *cough* public meltdown *cough*. I'm looking for advice from guys with faicial hair who need to use a FFM. I have been trying different products and have had very limited success. I have a neatly trimmed goatee and neither my wife nor I are willing to cut it off, trust me, I need to hide the ugly with facial hair. I'd appreciate any and all thoughts, short of rubbing baby seal fat on my face, to help get rid of leaks. I currently have both a Quatrro Mirage and a Quattro FX mask, on BiPAP, S9 auto for additional info. Thanks.

[PST]

I had a beard for 33 years, and although I was clean shaven when I went on CPAP, I did grow a beard for my son's wedding. (He and his bride wanted us all to dress like it was 1885.) I had a short, General Grant style full beard. I was prepared for trouble, but I didn't notice any difference. Maybe a fuller beard (think ZZ Top) would have led to leaks, but a trimmed beard did not, at least in my case. It flattens and the seal is barely affected.

[123.Shawn T.W.]

I have a beard, I keep it trimmed to between 3/8" and 5/8" I use the Mirage Quattro ... No problems with leaks.

[chunkyfrog]

Hubby wears his Fitlife with a full beard.
He seats his mask under his chin; and wakes up with the most adorable curl around his jawline.

[RogerSC]

I had a beard for 33 years, and although I was clean shaven when I went on CPAP, I did grow a beard for my son's wedding. (He and his bride wanted us all to dress like it was 1885.) I had a short, General Grant style full beard. I was prepared for trouble, but I didn't notice any difference. Maybe a fuller beard (think ZZ Top) would have led to leaks, but a trimmed beard did not, at least in my case. It flattens and the seal is barely affected.

Good to hear. Been thinking about getting a Quattro FFM myself for a backup for when I have a cold, and this makes it sound much more do-able. My beard is more Grant-ish than ZZ Top-ish, too *smile*.

Thanks.

[STL Mark]

Consider the posiblity of using an oral mask like the Oracle HC452. I have not had a "flavor saver" I mean facial hair since my 20s, but I have used the mask and it is an interesting option.

[Sir NoddinOff]

You just have to wing it in regards to your facial hair. It all depends on the mask you are using at any given time.

I am currently using FX nasal pillows and had to trim my mustache down to a sliver of it's former glory. My youngest son was laughing at Bob Dylan's thin mustache on an old album cover and declared that I had one just like it. He asked if it had a name and I said, "It's called a Riverboat Gambler's Mustache". He looked it up on the internet and I was right... still I miss my old full one. Wonder if Bob uses CPAP

[RogerSC]

Consider the posiblity of using an oral mask like the Oracle HC452. I have not had a "flavor saver" I mean facial hair since my 20s, but I have used the mask and it is an interesting option.

Cpap.com must get a lot of returns on that one, the mask is $80 and the insurance is $52...wow *smile*.

[Denial Dave]

I've got a full mustache and it is grown below the lower lip a bit.... Quattro works for me with no issues

Dave

[NateS]

My mustache and beard has not been a problem with any of the three masks below in my signature; even though I use ASV with high pressure jumps, neither the lab nor the DME ever suggested a FFM to me. Of the three, the Wisp gives me the most consistent and reliable seal, even though the bottom portion lays right on top of my mustache.

How did you decide you needed to go to a FFM?

Good luck,

Nate

[RandyJ]

I have a very short beard (I take it down to almost nothing - setting #1 on the trimmer - once a week) and I used a Padacheek mask liner with my Mirage Quattro and kept leaks low, within acceptable levels.

[SleepyToo2]

I have a full beard.Normally use nasal pillows at a pressure of 9-10. I also have a FitLife FFM that I did not have problems with. Keep both mask and beard very clean. Consider a beard conditioner. Before putting the mask on, wash your beard in hot water (with care!). I would probably use a moistened rolled up facecloth in a microwave for about 20-25 seconds, then, while it is still hot, put it on my face to soften my beard. While the beard is still moist, put the mask on and connect to my cpap. I have used the hot water, but will try the hot cloth next time I need an FFM.

[JeffH]

I wore a beard all of my adult life. For the first ten years of cpap I used nasal pillows so having a beard wasn't an issue. About two years ago I went to ASV and had to go full face. I've been shaving ever since. I also use Pad-a-cheeks liners with good results. I use a Quattro FX FFM.

BTW, I ended up getting used to a Norelco electric razor and find that it is more comfortable that a razor and shaving cream.


fwiw


JeffH

[msla]

In Norwegian a mustache is "snørrbrems," loosely translated as "a runny nasal discharge brake." Insert yout own 2 word definition. I have a full face mask, ResMed Quattro FX, that I have used, without issues, when I have had a bad cold. I keep the beard 1/4 to 1/2 inches long.

[PST]

In Norwegian a mustache is "snørrbrems," loosely translated as "a runny nasal discharge brake." Insert yout own 2 word definition. I have a full face mask, ResMed Quattro FX, that I have used, without issues, when I have had a bad cold. I keep the beard 1/4 to 1/2 inches long.

That may be the thing I miss most about having a mustache. It seems silly, but sometimes when you have your hands full you just need something that buys you a minute or two before you have to set everything down and reach for a tissue.