Mask indents?

[JulieKalber]

Hi all,

I have been using a nasal mask for the past few months now and feel I have finally found the mask for me, having tried several. I also use the padacheek cover which I think is great.Thanks to a lot of support from here, I am much more confident about it all and was feeling quite settled with the whole process.

Someone has recently told to me that if I wear the same mask every night, I will eventually get permanent marks (indents) on my face - specifically where the cushion sits. Well, talk about a spanner in the works! I can cope with waking up with marks/indents that fade pretty fast in the mornings, it's par for the course, but permanent troughs?

I find myself regularly feeling along each side of my nose for evidence of permanent marks forming on me. Yes, I am getting paranoid now.

What do you think about this?

Thanks, Julie

[nanwilson]

Never heard of that one............I've been wearing a hybrid for over 2 years and the marks are gone within an hour or two. I have a friend that has been using the same type mask for 8 years...no permananet marks on his face. You can stop being paranoid now

[meissen]

My dad has been a CPAP user for a number of years and I can confirm that he has permanent indentations on his cheeks from his mask. It was my biggest pain point on starting CPAP therapy. Thus far I've been lucky and have not had any indentations forming (only been a user for 3 weeks) but I'll admit I'm paranoid as well.

[Sheriff Buford]

I have worn the total mask for a few years. In the morning, I have indents on my puffy cheeks, but they are gone in a few hours. I figure if the indents aren't permanent in a couple of years, they won't be an issue down the road. If the folks I work with see my indents early in the morning, they are ready with comments that pertain to me "brown nosin'"... the shame....

Sheriff

[jen4700]

Sounds like your friend is trying to come up with reasons NOT to use CPAP.

I think a huge part of having indents or not is:
- your age
- your health
- how your mask fits
- how quickly the marks go away in the morning
- KEEP HYDRATED - most people don't drink enough water this has a huge impact on your skin

I don't think it's something you have to worry about.

[chunkyfrog]

Agreed.
Especially about the water.
Those who drink less or no water in the evening in hopes it will reduce the tinkle trips are working at cross-purposes.
Being dehydrated will stress your body, making you urinate MORE often, and in smaller, more concentrated bits.
Bad for you.

[JulieKalber]

Hi all,

Thank you so much for taking the time to post replies. Love the 'brown nose' comment!

The point about water intake is very pertinent for me - I do not drink a lot of water - now I have a good reason to correct that.

It is always so interesting reading the posts, I always come away with so much information and more importantly, have become so adept at managing this condition. I do not have a 'provider' I can go to here in Australia (long story, but it can be such a money making rort here locally).

Thanks again to everyone!


Julie

[Vindic8]

I have been using xPAP for 18 years. Yes in that time there have been mask styles that if used regularly will leave a mark. I have two places on my forehead where for a period of time there were visible marks. These are indentations where the underlying tissue has thinned. I have modified my mask and style and they are no longer as visible but i can feel a marked difference in those places still when I place my fingers in the "dents. Bottom line is don't crank down your mask too tight and be willing to change up your mask style periodically.

[xenablue]

I think whether you end up with permanent 'dents' in your face from a mask is very possible, but it most likely won't be very noticable.

I kind of compare this to some women having 'dents' in their shoulders from many years of wearing a bra that, for some, support considerable weight over time. This IMHO would be much more common than marks from a mask that just sits against your face.

Cheers,
xena