I have to shave daily because i have sleep apnea.
- Thread starter tracman
- Start date
Are you able to try a nasal pillow mask?
If the full mask is a must, could you just shave at night and skip the morning shave?
if your mask wont seal...talk to your doctor about getting it replaced or the manufacturer
Seconding this. I've used mine with a full beard, with a goatee and clean shaven. If the silicone is good, your straps aren't worn out, AND the mask is properly fitted, it'll still work just fine. No farty noises blowing on your cheek giving you a near heart attack just as you start to doze off... Not that that's ever happened to ME......
When I used a CPAP machine, the only mask I could tolerate was a nasal pillow mask. It worked great and was fairly comfortable--and I even have a full beard and mustache.
Long-term, though, my best strategy was to lose weight. I am down now almost 50 pounds (through exercise and watching what I eat). Amazingly, I no longer need the machine!
Long-term, though, my best strategy was to lose weight. I am down now almost 50 pounds (through exercise and watching what I eat). Amazingly, I no longer need the machine!
Forgive for some historical trivia dealing with shaving and masks...
Bomber crews in WW II had to shave also so their oxygen masks fit. Their planes weren't heated (until the Super Fortress), and the cold sometimes gave them frostbite or affected their faces where their masks didn't cover. Whenever they walked thru base towns out of uniform you knew they were airmen by the racoon look! (Got this off the History channel. No kidding.)
Bomber crews in WW II had to shave also so their oxygen masks fit. Their planes weren't heated (until the Super Fortress), and the cold sometimes gave them frostbite or affected their faces where their masks didn't cover. Whenever they walked thru base towns out of uniform you knew they were airmen by the racoon look! (Got this off the History channel. No kidding.)
I use a CPAP for sleep apnea. I used to have a full beard causing problems with the mask leaking. The respiratory tech told me to shave just my chin, which I did every few days. That worked pretty well until I started DE shaving. Then I was shaving the patch on my chin daily just because I enjoyed shaving so much.
Seriously, I can't imagine needing to go through the full shave routine every night just to get the mask to seal. If a different mask isn't the answer, consider doing a quick single pass over just the areas the mask touches.
Seriously, I can't imagine needing to go through the full shave routine every night just to get the mask to seal. If a different mask isn't the answer, consider doing a quick single pass over just the areas the mask touches.
I have been wearing a mask for years and for 12 of them I had a Van Dyke and had no trouble getting a seal. I would contact your Doctor about replacing the mask or try a nasal unit.
agree with the others, sounds like you need a better mask - or try the nasal pillows. take a bit of getting used to - but don't all things CPAP?
I must agree with this post, I wear a mask just over my nose and I never shave every day ! I've never had any trouble with the fit, or leaks but I do use a chin strap to keep from breathing through my mouth. At any rate good luck and if you don't think your mask is fitting right get with your insurance and get them to let you try different styles of masks untill you find one that fits good and doesn't cause you problems.
John
