Shaving Beard & Moustache Make a Difference?

I recently got my Dreamstation cpap and a medium-sized Dreamwear Full Face Mask.
First night I had a wonderful night with no issues.
For the second night, I decided to shave my beard since it's kinda a pain when wearing face masks for work. Had a TERRIBLE night. Kept waking up with leaks blowing into my eyes.
Ever since I shaved, I just cannot get the leaks to quit happening...
I'll go to sleep and it all seems fine. But I'll end up waking up some time in the middle of the night with the leaks, and I cannot figure out how to stop them.
I've tried readjusting the straps, first tightening them, then tried loosening them.
I've tried to reseat the mask by pulling it away from my face and then putting it back.
Moved the mask around a bunch.

I'm at my wits end.
I cannot keep losing sleep fidgeting with the mask.
Only thing that changed from the first night was shaving my beard and moustache off. Would that really make THAT bit a difference to where I need the small mask or something?

Best guess I have is that you had the leaks day 1 but the facial hair diffused it so you didn't notice. Now that area is probably sealing better, and causing more noticeable leaks in other places.

But that doesn't lead me to any suggestions on how to fix the issue (other than grow it back, since you liked it that way)

Have you tried different cushions from the fit-pack?

JPB

I never got a fit pack.
Talked to my provider and they were actually going to call me as they can see via my data that I was having a lot of leaks.
Switched me to a Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask.
Hopefully, it will be a better fit and not start leaking halfway through the night like my old one.
Gonna miss having the hose on top of my head, but a better night's sleep will totally be worth it.

earthbounder64 wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 09, 2020 3:33 pm

Gonna miss having the hose on top of my head

Have you gone to youtube and watched three or four videos on fitting and adjusting the mask you prefer?

I have had a beard for years.... off and on. For me, it doesn't make a difference being clean shaven or wearing a beard. I think it depends on your face-structure weather a beard will interfere with your leak rates. There had been guys who can't get a successful mask seal while wearing a beard.

Sheriff

I am one of the people who cannot get a good seal when I do not shave. I had a beard during my first two sleep tests, and they had a very hard time getting the mask to seal when trying to determine what pressure I needed. I shaved just before I had my third sleep test and have been clean shaven ever since. I had my beard for over thirty years, but I thought getting good sleep and my health were more important than keeping the beard.

And besides, beards tend to make a guy look older . . .

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 12:42 am

And besides, beards tend to make a guy look older . . .

Beards give a man Gravitas.

Although, they do make a woman look older.

JPB

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 12:42 am

And besides, beards tend to make a guy look older . . .

Especially when they are as white as mine was when I shaved it off. I normally shave just before bed, but if I shave in the morning, I get by with out shaving that night. By the next night, my beard is pretty heavy, but it can't be seen because it is so white. My beard turned totally white before my hair did.

So far the new mask seems to be working out better. If it does leak, it tends to do so down by my chin, so it doesn't wake me up as easily as the one that kept blowing in my eyes.
Starting to see better fit% so far. Time will tell.