The Red Ring

Hi, after almost 2 weeks with the mask things are starting to look up. The mask is leaving a red mark from the seal around my mouth, just alittle dry and irritated. Every day after removing the mask I have been using a moisturizer, but does not seem to be helping. Now the ring is starting to show signs of flaking.... although faintly at the moment. I am not overly concerned with this problem, I am just choking it up to just another growing pain of life with the mask. But curious if this is just something that usually happens once till the skin "toughens" up and will resume back to normal.

Here is my "routine" if it might help fill in some questions:

1. Wash face, dry throughly.
2. Apply alittle chapstick to keep lips from drying..
3. Apply Visine
4. Put mask on face... adjusting each time. Try to get it just tight enough to not break seal with alittle movement.
5. Wake up, wipe mask with a unscented, hypoallergenic, alcohol free baby type of wipe. (gentle)
6. Apply moisturizer.

Thanks for any info. Oh and by the way, I did take completely apart and soaked the mask for 30 mins in a mild soapy solution.


EriC!

If I was having trouble with my skin, I would not use anything on the mask seal that I would not use directly on my face.

When I was using a mask on my face (now I use nasal pillows), the first few times I would wait until I was in sleeping position and the mask was fully inflated by the pressure before I would attempt to adjust tightness. Eventually, I was able mostly to leave the straps alone, once I had found the sweet spot of adjustment for me, only occasionally tightening a tiny bit to make up for stretching of the straps over time.

Eric, DermaE makes an alphalipoic acid+green tea cream for the face that I use on any skin that irritated, bruised, or otherwise funky. I have very touchy skin and this is the first thing that's calmed my skin, plus kept me out of the Dematologist office to slice things off . It's called Alphalipoderm and available in health food stores, some organic-type stores like Whole Foods, and online from DermaE. I've bought at local health food stores and directly from them online, they are pleasant to deal with. It ranges in price from about $17-22 for a good amt given it's for faces .

It helps heal and might be the answer for your irritated skin.

I create a gasket out of 100% cotton knit to put between my skin a my full face mask. Other wise it looks and feels like I have burn marks on my face.

The gaskets are a good idea. Someone actually SELLS them. I can't remember the link.

Another good idea is to try a different mask. Several forum members run Free Mask Test Drives so you can try masks out before you buy them. See the links in my signature block below for more info.

Good luck!
B.

Maybe the face-washing routine at bedtime is taking away too much of your skin's natural protective oils. Perhaps a rinse in the shower with warm water would be enough?

Thanks for all of the inputs. I since have started just washing face prior to bed with warm water. I think as someone mentioned it was washing away natural oils. It is since getting better. Thanks again!