Seals made of Foam for CPAP Masks

Silicone has been the go-to material for CPAP masks for pretty much their entire history. Now, there is yet another choice available. Memory Foam CPAP masks have emerged in recent years as an intriguing alternative to the many silicone alternatives. 

Memory foam and silicone both have their advantages and disadvantages, and neither one is perfect. Now that we’ve established that, let’s delve a little deeper and figure out which of the available cpap mask could be best for you.

What are the Different Options for a Foam CPAP Mask?

Within the field of memory foam, ResMed has been the company that has pioneered new trends. They offer a full-face version in addition to a nasal option for their products. ResMed’s AirTouch F20 is the name of the full-face mask that’s available. The AirTouch N20 serves as the nosepiece.

The AirTouch F20 and N20 are identical to their AirFit counterparts in terms of size, frames, and accessories; however, the memory foam seals found on the AirTouch variants set them apart. 

Both of these masks have been around for a long time now, and all three sizes (small, medium, and large) are available for purchase for each of them.

What is the Function of the Memory Foam Mask?

There is not much of a functional difference between the variants of the CPAP mask that are made of memory foam and those made of silicone. They fit over your head like regular headgear and create a seal against your face. 

On the other hand, the foam, not the silicone, is the only thing that makes contact with your face. You adjust the tightness of the mask using the headpiece according to your needs in order to prevent leaks and to have a better fit. 

A very dependable seal is produced by the foam, which also eliminates the abrasion that silicone can on occasion bring about.

What are the benefits of using a CPAP mask made of memory foam?

• Extremely Comfortable – The memory foam just cannot be topped when it comes to the amount of comfort it provides. When put to the test by those who use CPAP, it almost invariably receives a rating of “more pleasant” than the mask they are currently using.
• Beneficial for individuals who are allergic to silicone — If the usage of silicone results in skin problems or rashes, then switching to a foam seal can make a significant improvement. There is no doubt that giving it a shot would be beneficial.
• The foam will give a more diffused and soft seal against the face, which will really assist with those pesky lines that appear on your face when you wake up in the morning. This results in a significant lessening of the lines that are left behind when you get up in the morning.
• Reduces abrasion Silicone is slightly sticky, so it has the potential to rub against your skin and cause it to become damaged. It is not the foam that is causing this problem.
• Seals extremely well; the foam moulds itself in an impressively lifelike manner to the shape of your face and body. You can now create a seal without having to overtighten the mask in order to do so.
• Low upkeep: The foam is designed to endure for one month with very little to no maintenance at all being performed on it. The only thing that is really required is a quick swipe with a Mask Wipe at most.

What are the disadvantages of using a CPAP mask made of memory foam?

• A comparison of the foam seal and the silicone seal reveals that the foam seal does not have a lifespan that is even close to that of the silicone seal. A lot of customers will always have a backup seal on hand, just in case the original one ever breaks.
• When the foam seals become damaged, they are rendered completely useless and can no longer perform their function. In most cases, the foam will rip away from the silicone base of the seal, allowing the air to escape through the tear in the foam.
• You can’t wash them—the foam seal can’t be washed under any circumstances. If you let it get wet with soap and water, the seal will almost instantly start to disintegrate. Mask wipes are your only alternative for cleaning, as there are none other available.
• There is a possibility of foam detaching from the frame of the seal. The foam is usually linked to the silicone foundation of the mask seal. This is the point when the seal usually comes apart at the end of its useful life. Because of this, the seal is rendered worthless at that moment.
• Expense: They are not inexpensive, and they need to be replaced with new ones more frequently. Therefore, you will not be able to get away as cheaply as you would with silicone.
• You are not permitted to use ozone since it will almost quickly break down the memory foam. When cleaning your CPAP device with a SoClean or Sleep8 product, you will first need to remove the mask’s seal before you can place the other components within the cleaning compartment.

Choosing the Right Size Memory Foam CPAP Mask for Your Face:

It is quite simple to determine whether you should use the AirTouch N20 or the AirTouch F20 Memory Foam CPAP masks. There are links to the size gauges farther down on this page. Then all you need to do is follow the steps down below to find the best match for you.

Adjusting the Size of Your Memory Foam Mask

• Make a printout of your size gauge by following the links provided above.
• When cutting out the size gauge, make sure it is accurate to the scale.
• You can determine the optimal size for your features by using the gauge that’s included into the mirror.
• Here is where you should place the order for your AirTouch N20, and here is where you should place the order for your AirTouch F20.

The following is a guide for cleaning a Memory Foam CPAP mask:

When it comes to cleaning a memory foam mask, you need to use extreme caution. Before you wash the rest of your materials, you have to make sure that the seal has been removed from the mask frame first.

A CPAP mask wipe is the one and only way that can be used to clean your memory foam mask. Even when using a mask wipe, you still need to be careful not to scrub too roughly or pull away the foam in the mask. The foam cushion can go up to one month without needing to be washed because it was designed to be self-cleaning.

More to read: What are the effects of allowing kids to take medical cannabis?