Padding is definitely key for those pressure marks, but I’ve seen a lot of people struggle with the foam tubes—they tend to slide around or get squished too fast. Scrunchies or even folded fabric seem to do the trick way better, honestly. You’re right about the skin toughening up over time; it’s almost like your body just adapts. I usually tell folks not to move the strap unless their ortho says it’s okay, since the force needs to stay consistent in one spot for the treatment to work as planned. It’s not fun, but after a couple weeks, most people say it gets a little easier.
That’s spot on about the foam tubes—mine started out okay but got pretty flat after just a few days, and then they’d twist around or bunch up. I switched to using an old, soft headband folded a couple times, and it’s been way better. Never thought scrunchies would come in handy for this, honestly.
The skin toughening thing is real, too. At first, I was convinced I’d never get used to the pressure, but after maybe two weeks it wasn’t nearly as bad. The marks faded quicker and I didn’t feel as sore waking up. Still, I get what you mean about not moving the strap—my ortho was really strict about that part, even though sometimes it was tempting to shift it just a bit when things felt rough.
It’s definitely a weird adjustment period, but you’re right: it does get easier. It’s just one of those things you push through, and then suddenly it’s not on your mind all the time.
The foam tube struggle is so real. I remember when I first started recommending headgear to patients, a lot of them came back complaining about how the padding would basically disintegrate or twist, especially after a few nights of tossing and turning. One teen mentioned using the fleece from an old stuffed animal as a cover, and honestly, it was a game-changer for comfort. Never would’ve thought of that myself.
I can relate to the temptation to nudge the straps, too. When I had to wear a bite plate in college (not quite headgear, but still awkward and tight), I’d catch myself trying to “adjust” it in my sleep. My orthodontist was strict about not moving it, and I definitely saw better results when I left it alone, even if it meant a few rough mornings.
That skin toughening phase... it’s kind of wild how the body adjusts. The first week is rough, but then you almost forget it’s there. Definitely a case of mind over matter, but it does get better, little by little.
The fleece trick is genius, I wish I'd thought of that sooner. I always ended up with the cheap foam tubes splitting down the side or getting all lumpy after a couple nights. Eventually just wrapped medical tape around the worst spots, but it wasn't exactly comfortable.
That urge to adjust the straps is real, especially when you first start. My ortho was strict too, but honestly, I probably cheated a few times in my sleep. Not sure if it made a huge difference, but I did notice less soreness when I left things alone.
Did anyone else deal with pressure marks that just wouldn’t fade for hours? Even once my skin got tougher, I'd still have these red lines on my cheeks in the morning. Wondering if there’s any way to prevent that or if it’s just part of the deal...
Those pressure marks are the worst, right? I used to get them all the time, especially when I was trying to make my old foam pads last longer than they should. I tried switching to those cheap makeup remover pads from the dollar store, but they slid around too much and didn’t make much difference. The fleece hack is so much better, but I still wake up with lines sometimes—just not as deep.
Honestly, I’ve wondered if it’s just something you have to live with, but I did notice that when I switched to washing my face with a gentler cleanser at night, my skin seemed less irritated in the mornings. Not sure if that’s just coincidence or what. Also, keeping the straps as loose as my ortho would allow helped a little, but then I worried about whether it was even doing its job.
Has anyone tried those silicone gel strips they sell for scars? I keep seeing them recommended for CPAP mask marks, but I haven’t tried them yet because they’re kind of pricey. Curious if it’s worth the splurge or just another thing that ends up in the bathroom drawer...
