Facial hair length correlation to leaks?

[Nooblakahn]

So. I've recently shaved my facial hair as short as I can without shaving my face bald. Seems this would be helpful with leaks right? I'm sure having my face completely bald would be optimal for therapy, but my wife doesn't really care for that look on me. So this seemed a nice compromise. Thoughts?

Thanks!

[billbolton]

Seems this would be helpful with leaks right?

There's no strong correlation on that!

Cheers,

Bill

[SleepyToo2]

Depends on the mask. I have a full beard that my wife doesn't want me to shave off. Our 15-year-old son has never seen me without a beard, except in photographs. So there is family pressure to keep the facial hair. Most of the time I use nasal pillows, which are not affected by the hair. Mouth breather? I use a chin strap all the time (Puresom Ruby). Leaks are minimal for me, after using it for a while (almost all the time I have been on CPAP). My wife has just made me a "backpack" to stop me rolling on to my back during the night. That seems to have brought the "leaks" under control a lot more. Obviously, when I rolled, the mask moved. There were also apneas associated with the back sleeping that are significantly reduced. I have a problem with allergies at the moment, and this new design for sleeping seems to work - only a couple of nights' experience, but it is going well so far.

My second mask is a total face mask (Full Life). With that, I need to keep my facial hair quite long and condition it every day when I wash my hair. Too short, and the leaks seem to increase. Makes sense, because it is harder for the silicone to get a good seal around all the "stubble." Just before bed I will rinse the beard in hot water. Pat it slightly dry so I don't have water running down my neck. Put the mask on, and head for bed. I can't read without glasses, and the TFM doesn't allow me to wear glasses, so I prefer not to use this mask often. Again, the leaks are low. I have yet to try the TFM with the backpack to see how I get on. Maybe one night soon.

Good luck with finding your solution.

[photodork]

i use the mirage quattro ffm. if i go more than 3-4 days without shaving, i get noticable leakage. the mask just wont stick to my face.
yet other folks have had good results
with facial hair using this mask.

[Goofproof]

So. I've recently shaved my facial hair as short as I can without shaving my face bald. Seems this would be helpful with leaks right? I'm sure having my face completely bald would be optimal for therapy, but my wife doesn't really care for that look on me. So this seemed a nice compromise. Thoughts?

Thanks!

She would rather have the hair on you, and trade it off fot your poorer health and shorter lifespand? You may have too much life insurance. Jim

[Nooblakahn]

Lol. The life insurance is a running joke. The leaks are below the minimum. She said when I shave completely I look like my mom and its creepy. She's honestly very supportive of my therapy and gets credit for me finally getting diagnosed.