CPAP Equipment: CPAP Masks: Total Face
Total Face CPAP Mask Overview
Total Face CPAP masks seal in a large circle around your whole face and are held in place by four point headgear. Some people will leak air through their eyes when they receive CPAP pressure. In this case, traditional masks will not function properly and a total face mask should be considered.
Total Face FAQs
Why might I need a total face mask?
There are special circumstances or needs for this mask, like patients who leak air out of the corner of their eyes or have a facial condition preventing the use of a nasal or full face mask. This mask is like a Full Face mask in that it equalizes pressures for an even treatment, but this mask encompasses every opening on the face where air might escape like the eyes.
How do I care for my mask?
Masks should be washed daily in warm water with baby shampoo and left to air dry. Never use antibacterial soap as it will break down the silicone of the mask. Avoid soaps with lotion or lanolin which can coat the mask and cause it to lose its seal. A safe cleaner is the Control III Disinfectant CPAP Cleaning Solution. Remember to go to bed with a clean face, this will improve your seal and protect the lifespan of your mask.
The best time to clean your mask is in the morning so that the oils from your skin are removed. We recommend using mask wipes to make daily morning cleanings easy. The mask wipes are made from materials that will not break down your mask.
How often should I replace my mask?
Medicare allows for mask cushion replacement every three (3) months and complete mask system replacement every six (6) months. CPAP manufacturers and vendors suggest these replacement schedules as well.
In our experience, most mask cushions begin to deteriorate after about six months of use. The silicone eventually becomes too soft to hold a seal and headgear straps must be tightened more and more to get the same quality seal.
We strongly suggest replacing cushions and pillows as soon as they start to soften. Air leaks may reduce the effectiveness of CPAP therapy and headgear that is too tight may cause facial sores at pressure points. You can also replace the headgear of your mask if it is stretched out or the Velcro worn out.
To see what parts of your mask are replaceable refer to our Replacement Part Finder. Search for your mask and then see all of the replaceable parts.
I breathe through my mouth, what are my options?
If you are a mouth breather, you can wear most masks with a few adaptations. The nasal pillow, nasal prong or nasal mask can be worn with a chinstrap.
A full face mask or hybrid mask can be used without a chinstrap because the seal covers your nose and mouth. A full face mask will allow you to breathe through your mouth or through your nose.
If you have or develop chronic sinus problems, a full face mask or an oral face mask are the ones to try. Oral masks work best for mouth breathers with blocked nasal passages. You must use a heated humidifier with the oral mask. CPAP.com sells the Oracle HC452 Oral CPAP mask.
If you are a mouth breather who does not want to or cannot wear a chinstrap, please see our recommended masks for Mouth Breathers.
What type of mask works for people with full beards?
Full Face Masks work well for CPAP users with full beards. One tip is to smooth the beard with lanolin where the seal makes contact.
Nasal Pillow Masks are also liked by full bearded CPAP users. If you are a mouth breather remember to use a chinstrap.
Total face masks encompass the entire face and can be an option for people with facial hair.
Masks with a gel or foam cushion can also be better with facial hair to be able to mold better to the face to create a seal.
See our recommended masks for people with Facial Hair.
Which CPAP masks work on which machines?
All CPAP masks work with all machines.
How do I choose the mask that is right for me?
We provide our customers with many tools to make informed decisions about their mask purchases. Options include:
- Calling a CPAP Expert Toll Free. 1-800-356-5221.
- Comparison Charts. These charts compare available machines, feature by feature. If you don't know the meaning of a feature, click on the question mark for a definition. Click on the image or name of the product for more detailed product information, pictures and resources.
Compare Most Popular Masks
Compare All Masks
- Help Me Choose Guide. We created a guide to help you select the right mask or machine according to your preferences. The guide asks you a series of questions regarding your preferences and your facial features. Based on your answers we provide you with a comparison chart of the masks that meet your criteria. Get started here:
Help Me Choose - Mask
- Browse Our Mask Product Categories. These categories show each machine our company offers, ranked by popularity. Popularity is determined by a mix of sales data and our in house opinion of the quality of the machine based on our experience and customer feedback. The best products float to the top of our categories.
Nasal Mask Category
Full Face Mask Category
Nasal Pillow Mask Category
Nasal Prong Mask Category
Hybrid Mask Category
Oral Mask Category
Total Face Mask Category
- Return Insurance. With every mask we sell, you have the option of purchasing return insurance. Masks are FDA approved medical devices. Once a mask is used, it cannot be resold to another customer. We were the first in the industry to offer Return Insurance to our customers. Return Insurance provides 30 days for you to try a mask and return it for any reason for a refund of the price of the mask. If you are trying a mask for the first time, return insurance might be right for you.
How can I compare different masks?
Like our machine comparison chart, we have created a CPAP Mask Comparison Guide to help you compare different masks. This guide stacks up every mask we sell, feature by feature. If you don't know the meaning of a feature, click the question mark for a definition. The links below will take you to the most popular masks, or to the different types of masks we sell.
Compare Most Popular Masks
Compare All Nasal Masks
Compare All Full Face Masks
Compare All Nasal Pillow Masks
Compare All Nasal Prong Masks
Compare All Hybrid Masks
Compare All Oral Masks
Compare All Total Face CPAP Masks
Are prescriptions required for mask, machine and/or humidifier purchases?
Yes. Federal law requires we have a valid prescription on file before we ship your mask, machine and/or humidifier.
We provide many easy ways to get your prescription:
- We can request your prescription for you! When you checkout, just let us know you would like us to request your prescription, or you can log into your account to have us request your prescription.
- Fax your prescription to our Toll Free fax number: 1-866-353-2727, or our international fax number: 713-541-7370
- Email your prescription to cpap@cpap.com
- Upload your prescription in your account, under the prescriptions section
What does a mask prescription need to say?
- Contains one of the following words or phrases: "CPAP Mask", "CPAP Supplies", "CPAP Humidifier", "CPAP", "Continuous Positive Airway Pressure", "APAP", "AutoPAP", "AutoSet", "Auto CPAP", "Auto Adjusting CPAP", "Self Adjusting CPAP", "BiPAP", "BiLevel", "VPAP", "BiPAP Auto", "BiPAP ST", "Synchrony ST", "VPAP ST"
- Contains physician's contact information
- Contains physician's signature
- Contains the patient's full name
What are the CPAP, BiPAP and Sleep Apnea related billing codes?
- EO601 RR is CPAP rental
- E0601 NU is CPAP purchase
- A7034 is CPAP mask
- A7032 is CPAP Nasal mask cushion
- A7033 is CPAP Nasal pillows
- A7030 is CPAP Full Face mask
- A7031 is CPAP Full Face mask cushion
- A7044 is CPAP Oral Interface
- A7027 is CPAP Hybrid mask
- A7028 is CPAP Hybrid mask cushion
- A7029 is CPAP Hybrid mask nasal pillow
- A7046 is CPAP Humidifier Chamber
- A7037 is CPAP tubing, long and short hoses
- A4604 is CPAP Heated tubing
- A7038 is CPAP disposable filter
- A7039 is CPAP gross particle (foam) filter
- A7035 is CPAP headgear
- A7036 is CPAP chinstrap
- E0561 NU is CPAP Passover Humidifier
- E0562 NU is CPAP Heated Humidifier
- E0470 RR is BiPAP rental
- E0470 NU is BiPAP purchase
- E0471 RR is BiPAP-ST rental
- E0471 NU is BiPAP-ST purchase
Other CPAP items are listed under E1399, which is miscellaneous.
How can I find replacement parts for my CPAP Mask?
For many masks there are many parts that are replaceable like the mask cushion, headgear, headgear clicks, mask frame, and other parts. To find what parts are compatible with your mask or to find what parts of your mask are replaceable you can:
- Use our Replace Part Wizard to identify your mask and see all the related parts.
- Browse for your mask and then click the "Replacement Parts" button on your mask's product page.
How do I stop mask leaks?
Air leaks are caused by masks that are too big, too old, or just the wrong style.
Air leaking into the eyes is usually an indication that the mask is too big (long) as are leaks at the base of the nose. Leaks may also occur under the nose due to facial hair.
As the silicone in the mask cushion ages, it deteriorates and becomes too soft to hold a seal. For many masks, you can get a replacement cushion. See our Replacement Part Finder to see if your mask has a replaceable cushion.
You may be able to tighten it enough to stop the leaking when you go to sleep, but during the night it will loosen and leak.
Mask Leaks may also be caused by the pillow pushing against the mask and changing the position of the mask. There are special CPAP pillows which are are designed to minimize the contact of the CPAP mask with the pillow, even when you are sleeping on your side.
Why do I wake up to find my mask is off?
People remove their mask during sleep because they are not getting enough air.
The CPAP pressure may be reduced if your mask is leaking. Your mask may be too big or too old. We would suggest you resize your mask to be sure you have the best size. If your mask fits you but is six to nine months old, it should be replaced. As the silicone in the mask cushion ages, it deteriorates and becomes too soft to hold a seal. For many masks, you can get a replacement cushion. See our Replacement Part Finder to see if your mask has a replaceable cushion.
If the CPAP air is being delivered effectively, it may be that it is set too low. Pressure settings may require change due to weight gain or loss. The type of sleep study you had and the duration of sleep may indicate that your pressure could be adjusted. You should speak to your doctor if you think your pressure may need to be adjusted.
Why is my mouth dry in the morning?
Dry mouth is a sign that you are opening your mouth while you sleep. If you use nasal mask, breathing through your mouth bypasses any humidification you may be using so increasing the heat will not be effective. Breathing through your mouth while using a nasal mask reduces the benefit of the CPAP therapy.
First be sure the mask is not leaking. If it is six to nine months old and leaking, try replacing it. If it is new and leaking, we can help you get a better size.
If your mask is new and NOT leaking, try a chinstrap to keep your jaw up and mouth closed. If a chinstrap doesn't solve the problem, try masks recommended for Mouth Breathers.
If you use a full face mask and have a dry mouth, try adding a heated humidifier to add moisture.
Why is my nose so dried out?
The primary reason why nasal passages sometimes dry out from CPAP use is lack of adequate humidification.
CPAP air is an irritant - to one degree or another - to everyone. The irritation may cause the nasal passages to dry out and bleed, or the mucous membranes may try to protect the nasal passages by producing excess mucous and so congestion results. And the irritation can be cumulative; the problem may develop over time. Furthermore, dry, cracked or bleeding nasal passages are a breeding ground for infection.
Add a heated humidifier to add moisture to the CPAP air and reduce or eliminate the irritation. A passover humidifier may not offer enough moisture. If you are already using a heated humidifier, try turning it up to a higher setting. If that produces condensation in the six foot hose, you should try an insulating cover for the hose. You can also try using a nose lubricant to reduce the dryness.
Why am I congested from CPAP use?
The primary reason why nasal passages sometimes dry out from CPAP use is lack of adequate humidification.
CPAP air is an irritant - to one degree or another - to everyone. The irritation may cause the nasal passages to dry out and bleed, or the mucous membranes may try to protect the nasal passages by producing excess mucous and so congestion results. And the irritation can be cumulative; the problem may develop over time. Furthermore, dry, cracked or bleeding nasal passages are a breeding ground for infection.
Add a heated humidifier to add moisture to the CPAP air and reduce or eliminate the irritation. A passover humidifier may not offer enough moisture. If you are already using a heated humidifier, try turning it up to a higher setting. If that produces condensation in the six foot hose, you should try an insulating cover for the hose. You can also try using a nose lubricant to reduce the dryness.
You can also try using a sinus rinse before going to bed and again once you wake in the morning to help clear your sinuses.
What can I do for sinus and congestion relief?
A lot of new CPAP users report having an increase in sinus congestion after starting CPAP therapy. When treating your Obstructive Sleep Apnea, sinus congestion presents a roadblock to healthy breathing. CPAP air is an irritant - to one degree or another - to everyone. The irritation may cause the nasal passages to dry out and bleed, or the mucous membranes may try to protect the nasal passages by producing excess mucous and so congestion results.
The best option is to add a heated humidifier to add moisture to the CPAP air and reduce or eliminate the irritation. If you are already using a heated humidifier, try turning it up to a higher setting. If that produces condensation in the six foot hose, you should try an insulating cover for the hose. Other options are to:
- Wait and See
- Visit your the ear/nose/throat doctor, and let them know you are on CPAP therapy.
- Try using a sinus rinse before going to bed and again once you wake in the morning to help clear your sinuses.
Why do I wake up feeling bloated with air in my stomach and intestines?
Bloating is a sign that you are swallowing the CPAP air. There is no real medical solution, but we have found that sleeping position may be a factor. Try sleeping as flat as possible first, even without a pillow. If that position doesn't help, try sleeping on your side or elevated, whichever one you don't sleep in now.
If changing your position doesn't resolve the problem, talk to your doctor about the possibility of lowering your pressure a bit. It may let a few apneas through, but the trade-off might be worth it.
How do I avoid red marks?
Most red marks on the face are caused by over tightening the CPAP mask. CPAP masks should only be tightened down enough to create a seal. To avoid over tightening your mask, you should work clockwise around the mask, making small adjustments to the headgear, until the mask is securely in place but not overly tight. You should avoid pulling too much on one side of the mask than then other.
By cleaning your mask cushion, nasal pillows, and nasal prongs on a daily basis, you ensure a better seal each time you put on your mask. If you know you have a mask that fits, and are cleaning it daily, and still have red marks, consider using mask straps pads which are soft covering for the headgear straps.
Does this product contain BPA?
Yes, all CPAP masks and CPAP humidifier chambers either contain BPA or their manufacturer has not released a statement calling their products BPA free. Here is a statement released by Respironics:
Government of Canada Takes Action on Another Chemical of Concern: Bisphenol A
April 25th 2008
To Whom It May Concern
This document represents Respironics' position regarding the use of Bisphenol A in Respironics Sleep and Home Respiratory Devices. On April 18, 2008, the Government of Canada, banned the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in polycarbonate baby bottles, claiming that the exposure to BPA on newborns and infants up to 18 months of age, could potentially present a health risk to this patient group when the polycarbonate baby bottles are exposed to high temperatures.
At this time, we are able to provide the following information to our customer: NONE of our Sleep and Home Respiratory products which are either breathable or skin contacting are intended for use with newborns or infants under 18 months of age. Therefore, Respironics is in compliance with Health Canada's position for exposure for the identified at risk patient population.
Although Health Canada's restriction for BPA does not include products used for ages above 18 months at this time, Respironics is evaluating its product portfolio and will take the appropriate actions to determine and mitigate any potential risk from use of its products or potential exposure to BPA. It should be noted that NOT all polycarbonate resins contain BPA. In response to the direction provided by Health Canada's device licensing division, Respironics will be evaluating all of our Class II and III medical devices to determine if the resins used in the manufacturer of its products contain BPA.
Further, none of our products or accessories using polycarbonate are labeled for exposure.
In closing it is Respironics position that our products do not pots any increased risk of exposure to BPA for our users and thus our products remain safe for use.
If you have any further question regarding this topic, please feel free to contact me at zita.yurko@respironics.com or at 724-387-4120.
Regards,
Zita Yurko
Director, Regulatory Affairs
Sleep and Home Respiratory Division
Respironics, Inc.
