Nasal Pillow Sealer Tests

[quietmorning]

I just received the silly putty, Argan Oil, O-rings and the Sodium Alginate! I'm still waiting on the mustache silicone grease and the cocoa butter.

(Now I can start testing in alphabetical order. . . which totally gives my OCD mind a rest. )

**shameless bump**

(makes this post a little easier to find and update)

[quietmorning]

Argan Oil

Tested Argan Oil last night. . .on my nose, on my hair, on my face, on my hands. . .

The smell is mild, though a little nutty or a little like safflower oil. It is not strong at all - once the mask is in place, you will not be able to smell it at all.
No leaks. I slept on both my back and my side.
It is not sticky nor is it tacky - it is oily . . .but not greasy if that makes any sense.
I put a very reserved amount around my nares and just inside the nares to ensure a good seal. I only put on one application.

Very happy with the outcome.
(And my face, hands and hair feel WONDERFUL this morning. )

[Pugsy]

Quick update on the Mediflow down/water filled pillow.
Slept well last night and no morning headache. I am pretty sure the headaches were related to the weather and not the pillow.
I can't say that I like it any better than the buckwheat hull pillow but I like it as well for sure.
I am staying on my side more with it...I can tell by the flat hair. Knock on wood but evidence of mouth breathing (likely when I am on my back) seems to be lessened also. I did wake up a couple times on my back but I don't think I am spending a lot of time there.

For someone who needs a really versatile pillow (height and firmness) and doesn't care for the buckwheat hull...the Chiroflow or Mediflow would be a good option to try.
Normal bed pillows are often too tall for me since I am rather small boned. Especially when I am on my back. Makes my head create a bend in the neck.

I also have one of those wonder foam contour pillows and it does okay but the low hump is still just a bit too tall for my needs.

I opted to get the down filled Mediflow just because I wanted it and found a really good price on it at overstock.com.
I must have got the last one because yesterday it showed out of stock.

[quietmorning]

Quick update on the Mediflow down/water filled pillow.
Slept well last night and no morning headache. I am pretty sure the headaches were related to the weather and not the pillow.
I can't say that I like it any better than the buckwheat hull pillow but I like it as well for sure.
I am staying on my side more with it...I can tell by the flat hair. Knock on wood but evidence of mouth breathing (likely when I am on my back) seems to be lessened also. I did wake up a couple times on my back but I don't think I am spending a lot of time there.

For someone who needs a really versatile pillow (height and firmness) and doesn't care for the buckwheat hull...the Chiroflow or Mediflow would be a good option to try.
Normal bed pillows are often too tall for me since I am rather small boned. Especially when I am on my back. Makes my head create a bend in the neck.

I also have one of those wonder foam contour pillows and it does okay but the low hump is still just a bit too tall for my needs.

I opted to get the down filled Mediflow just because I wanted it and found a really good price on it at overstock.com.
I must have got the last one because yesterday it showed out of stock.

YAY!! I so didn't want you to have wasted your money!! I hope it continues to be a good buy for you!!

[Pugsy]

I so didn't want you to have wasted your money!!

Oh, I am sure it will continue to work well for me. It's kind of nice to have something else for a change and I have a new intended use for the buckwheat pillow so it won't feel neglected. I am going to use it as a back stop/brace to help me stay off my back. See if I can stay on my side more because my back hurts a lot worse when I lay flat on my back and the support the buckwheat offers if I roll back on to it actually feels really nice to my back. Regular bed pillows will slide out from underneath me but the buckwheat weight seems to prevent that from happening.

So definitely not a waste of money and I am glad I bought it. I have always loved down pillows (but my neck didn't) so this one gives me the best of 2 worlds..the comfort of the down and the firmness my neck needs and I can make it just the right height for my neck.

[quietmorning]

Ayre Gel .05 oz tube

Cost between $3.50 and $6.00. Can be found at most pharmacies, Wal-Mart, most online pharmacies and Amazon.

Not sticky or tacky. Causes a suction type seal that is easily broken. Seal does work, but is more for the sleeper that does not move around much. Leaks occurred when I shifted in bed or when I turned to my side.

Leak Rate (L/min) W-Avg: 1.26 Min: 0.00 Med: 1.00 95% 5.00 Max: 8.00
Total Leak Rate (L/min) W-Avg: 29.04 Min: 26.00 Med: 29.00 95% 33.00 Max: 36.00

No discernible scent.
Nose was very slightly (comfortably) moist when I removed my mask this morning. No crusting, no oily residue.

[quietmorning]

Burts Bee's Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Cream

Wow. Good stuff.
Price ranges from $9 to $10 find at Walgreens, Target, Walmart, Amazon. Comes in Almond Milk and Beeswax and Banana. This trial is for the Almond Milk.
The seal is tacky, not sticky, not oily. Applied a thin coat on nares and just inside the nares. Smells of almond, so if you love the smell of almonds, you'll love this. If you hate the smell of almonds - then don't go here. No leaks, even with a very clumsy turning over in the bed. (Hubby had the covers pretty good.) Nose is soft this morning and very slightly waxy. I love this stuff. This might be my final choice.

[quietmorning]

Burts Bee's Hand Salve

I'm going to list this under Fail. When I smell it in the tin, it smells like it would be great for a bad sinus night - heavy in eucalyptus. . . but when it's on your nares it just doesn't smell goodbut that wouldn't cause it to fail, as my nose seems to be on the sensitive side, and it may not bother someone else. The Burt's Bees Hand Salve is neither tacky nor sticky. I thought it might be waxy, but it's not - its a little on the oily side. I leaked a little all night, then had two significant leaks when I rolled over. So this is failing because it really doesn't help with the leaks.

On ward

[Pad A Cheek]

Quietmorning,

I am so enjoying your testing of the various sealing solutions. Thank you for your posting and your testing. This is so helpful to those who have tried to use nasal pillows and had problems with them leaking.
I am enjoying this thread.

Karen

[quietmorning]

Quietmorning,

I am so enjoying your testing of the various sealing solutions. Thank you for your posting and your testing. This is so helpful to those who have tried to use nasal pillows and had problems with them leaking.
I am enjoying this thread.

Karen

Awww - thanks, Karen! I'm actually really having fun with this too!

[quietmorning]

I'm wondering how many of these sealants that work well with a nasal pillow would work well with a ff or another type of mask. . . any one out there want to test the good sealers with the other types of masks? If you test it and post about it here, I'll include your info with the particular sealant.

[flutterby11]

Can someone explain to me how to use both the ear plugs and o rings with the nasal pillows. I'm confused Thanks!

[quietmorning]

Can someone explain to me how to use both the ear plugs and o rings with the nasal pillows. I'm confused Thanks!

Haven't gotten to the ear plugs, yet - that was just a suggestion of something that MIGHT work - so it's going to take a little experimenting to see how and if it works. It does work for FF masks - I think the poster stated how he uses them that way. So. . . as soon as I get to them on the list, I'll post what worked (if it works) and what didn't and how to. (Unless you want to give it a go, yourself.. .then you can beat me to the punch! )

The O rings are not exactly to keep the pillow from leaking, but more to keep it from collapsing. From what I've read, they go under the actual part that fits into the nose - the neck of the air valve thing. . .gah, don't have any clue of what that thing is called. But, if I'm not mistaken, they fit like a necklace around the neck of the piece that actually fits into the nose. I've read that some fit one or two there, and it keeps them from collapsing into the Swift FX nasal pillow - as they are notorious for collapses.

If any one out there has pictures to illustrate this, that would be awesome!

[Pugsy]

[quietmorning]

^ Thanks, Pugsy!!