Higher leak rate now with nasal mask than with nasal pillows

Good grief... it seems that I'm writing daily on this site with my many questions and concerns. As a new CPAP user, I really appreciate all of the patience and counsel from you all!
Latest issue: My nasal passages were getting very sore and red from the nasal pillows and I kept awakening to fidget with the elastic straps (long-ish hair meant slipping straps!). So, off to a CPAP supplies store where I was given a week's trial for a nasal mask. Yikes - what a weird feeling to have air whooshing around the nose, but what a nice feeling NOT to have my nostrils aching. According to the very helpful sleep specialist, the fit with a nasal mask isn't as tight/snug as the fit of nasal pillows, so I might get more leaking. And, b/c the silicone "edges" (don't know what else to call them) on the nasal mask felt uncomfortable, he gave me a cut out made from what feels like a VERY thin t-shirt material that I put between the mask and my skin... likely a leak causer, too. He told me not to worry about the leaks and to focus on the apnea/comfort results Anyhow, after having nightly leaks of 1 to 7 most nights (w/ one at 19) using the air pillows, I've had 2 nights of 12 and 19L/min with the nasal mask. On the other hand, my apnea events have decreased to 0.7 during the 2 nights of using the nasal mask, whereas the apneas using the nasal pillows were usually 2-3 (with a couple higher and a few lower). So, it seems that - so far - the nasal mask is better, despite the leaks. How do others feel about using nasal pillows vs. nasal mask? Notice any increased leaks? Better apnea results? Now, if I can only stop awakening... patience, I know, patience... Best.

Do you think the new nasal mask (BTW which one did you get) leaks are causing sleep disruptions?

Where are you getting the leak numbers you are reporting? Of the LCD screen on the machine? If so that's just a 95% number which all it means is you were at OR BELOW that number for 95% of the night. The "or below part" is real important.

95% numbers less than 24 L/min...I don't even bother with a second glance as long as the leaks didn't wake me up.
Now if leaks wake me up no matter how big or little...I don't want them because anything that disturbs my already fragile sleep is unwanted.

You will find that I don't fixate on "numbers" as a primary measurement of my therapy.
I go by how well I sleep and feel the next day and any numbers are secondary.
The best most perfect AHI of 0.0 with 0.0 leak numbers doesn't mean squat if you slept like crap and feel like crap.

I have been a nasal pillow mask user for over 9 years. I have tried various nasal cushion masks over the years...I find the extra air blowing around or on my nose annoying because it's not my "normal" way to experience the air flow. It often feels like it is leaking when it isn't.

Pugsy, Once again, you're a wealth of information and comfort! Thank you. Best.

I have the Dreamwear mask. I prefer the nasal cushions but the pillows usually give me better leak results. That said, I had a 0.0 night with with the cushion a few nights ago. No matter what I do the pillows eventually give me a bit of a sore on the inner side of my left nostril. When this happens I swap to the cushion. After it heals I go back to the pillows. I also think that Respironics could improve their nasal pillows for this mask but I'm not sure where I could go to give them feedback.