Philips FitLife Total Face CPAP Mask

Subject: Phillips FitLife CPAP Total Face Mask
I have been using a CPAP for 16 years. So you can imagine how many masks I’ve tried. Let me just say I have NEVER had one that was comfortable or that I could keep on all night. I have had this mask for 2 weeks and LOVE it! I have no issues with it leaking air or staying on. I feel like I have gotten more sleep and rest than I have in 20 years! I do have to have it a little tight like all of them but not uncomfortable. I got the small and it fits my face perfectly! Definitely give this mask a HUGE THUMBS UP!

Subject: Helpful design
This is a pretty unique mask in that it covers your entire face. I like this design and there's not really an alternative mask, so I've stuck with this. It's comfortable and has a good seal, perfect for my needs.

I decided to give this mask a shot since I have a full beard and my past masks have had issues getting a consistently good seal. Tightening and adjusting my old masks only went so far and inevitably I would have nights of bad sleep where the air kept leaking. The Fitlife fixed these issues though and I’ve now had a month without leakage problems, giving me the best sleep I’ve had in years.

Not going to say much on the straps since they’re pretty standard, but they feel pretty light and adjust well. I do wish that the back part was made of a mesh material however, as I get a little hot around that part of the head now.

As I mentioned, I wanted this mask for its compatibility with facial hair. It has certainly lived up to that expectation as I get a great, comfortable seal. When you turn your air on, it “inflates”� a little bit to really seal off everything, so make sure not to make it too tight. The Fitlife goes around the face and spreads the pressure along your cheeks which is also a lot more comfortable than other mask designs. The nose (or at least my nose) really isn’t meant to undergo a night of pressing so I’m now a huge fan of these full face designs. Previously I just dealt with red lines and slight discomfort but now that’s gone away.

Overall, the Fitlife is an amazing mask. Great for people with beards, and seems like it’s great for people with nasal damage too.

This mask is a little more exotic of a design, since it chooses to cover your face entirely. I decided to give this mask a try since I had some trouble with red lines from pillow cushions. After using this mask for a few weeks, I feel comfortable giving it a double thumbs up.

Fit) The most important part, the mask fits and seals well. There’s straps around the forehead and around the cheeks, and then one strap over the top. Each one has its own Velcro adjustment, so you get five points to adjust to get the ideal fit. After playing around with the straps for a bit, I was able to get it to fit perfectly, with the seal inflating to prevent all leakage. There’s snap clips too which means you don’t have to readjust the fit every time you take the mask off.

Comfort) By going around your entire face, the mask spreads out all the weight so it feels nice and light. Haven’t had any issue with red lines and the design means I have no obstruction of any kind to my vision. I can read perfectly and I’m even able to get my thin-wire glasses underneath without disrupting the seal. Very comfortable overall and I highly recommend this mask/design to people who want to try spreading out the weight of their masks.

Caveats) Like I said, I really like this mask and it fits my needs perfectly. However, I would caution claustrophobic users to avoid it. I’ve snorkeled for a few decades so I don’t have any issues with masks going around my eyes and nose, but I can see why it’d be uncomfortable for some people. Also, I primarily sleep on my back so I can’t comment on how this mask for side sleepers.

The only real solution to the problems of nasal septal injury caused by an intense use of assisted ventilation techniques, obviously it is more cumbersome but for those who really use it as a life-saving device the non-alternative is the sores.
Excellent price if compared to what it costs in Italy even adding the inevitable import taxes, incredible shipping service in terms of efficiency and quality of service (product arrived in two days with automatic completion of customs procedures, maybe I will have been lucky ...) and reasonable cost given the distance and the quality of the service.
Unfortunately I could not find the SE version, that is the version with exhalation elbow for unventilated FitLife, or even just the exhalation elbow code 1060810 and (I'm trying to find it in another way at a disproportionate cost) and I don't understand why .

Amazingly fits over full beards and forms a great fit anyway. Very comfortable. No problems with wearing very thin frame glasses inside, minimal leakage for larger frame. Very sturdy. I love this mask. Only one I will wear. Easily packs up, long durability.

excellent product I recommended for used for all people who have apnea. it best I seem

The mask does not leak after I found that wearing a cotton sleeve - I use cheap neck haters bought in bulk over my head and neck so that it covers edges. I can still see etc.. no leaks!! For four months!! Then I traveled with it and it got leaky.. but four months is a win of quite sleep!!

I have to tighten quite a bit, due to the fact I have a thin small face but this is the only mask I've been able to use. Mask seal is good, it does leave marks on my face but on sides of my face instead of middle of my face. So all in all pretty happy with it.

OK, so I just got the mask yesterday and have only used it last night BUT I really like it. Let me tell you at first I didn't think it was going to work for me. When I put it on and snugged it up, turned the CPAP on and my entire head FARTED and loud. Dang it's not going to work it Is leaking just like people said. Turned CPAP off and repositioned the mask and while holding it pushed to my face with my left hand I pulled the straps tight, not so tight it hurt but nice and snug. Turned the CPAP on and the seal inflated and held. Good for now. I was worried that it would break the seal during the night. Not the case. It didn't leak the rest of the night. More on my initial experience.......When I first laid down on my pillow it was a little uncomfortable so I changed to my Buckeye Husk pillow and that cured that problem. Next issue that I really didn't think I would get over was the heat, not that it was hot but when you exhaled it filled the mask and you got that hot breath over your face. That one I was concerned about getting used too. Within 5 minutes I didn't even notice it everything evened out and I felt fine. In fact I have been using a CPAP since July of this year making it 6 months now and have used 6 different masks from the ones that cover nose and mouth, nose only with chin strap, and the Pillows with chin strap. At best it took me 2 hours to fall asleep with them. Man I was out in less than 15 minutes with this mask. I was thoroughly pleased when I woke up several hours later for a bathroom break. That too is not a problem, the quick release on the sides worked like a charm and it came off and went back on easily.

A couple of caveats to this review
1. I have the ramp turned off on my CPAP machine so I get full force in about 5 seconds.
2. It was only the first night and also during the winter so I don't know how hot it might be in the summer.

All in all I was more than happy with my purchase.
One more thing I have a big head so even without having a template to check size I ordered the EX-Large and it fit perfectly.

My insurance does not cover entire face covering masks. Why I don't know it's not any more expensive than the pillows they got for me. I hope that there is the ability to purchase seals for the mask at a reasonable price.