There are few side effects to using CPAP and going bald probably isn’t the first one that you thought about. However, it is something that we have had mentioned as a concern from our customers over the years. Obviously, nobody wants to lose the hair that they have. So, let’s take a deeper look why it happens and how to fix it.

What Causes Hair Loss on CPAP?

No, the CPAP Machine is not making you bald. The issues that we have heard regarding loss of hair on CPAP have all centered around headgear and frames on the CPAP mask itself. In most cases it centers around the masks that have silicone frames or straps that rub against the hair on your head. The silicone is tacky and as you move at night it pulls the hair out of your head. There are a couple options to help.

Options to Eliminate the Hair Loss on CPAP:

The main thing that you have to do is to get a barrier between your hair and the silicone parts of the mask. Below are a couple options that may give you some relief.

1. One of the options would be a generic mask frame wrap. Many CPAP masks come with a frame wrap of some sort, because they know this is an issue. One of those would be the DreamWear. You simply wrap the velour wrap around the frame and Velcro it in place. This provides a smooth surface for the frame or headgear to move as you move. Without the pull.
2. You can also try out a hair cap. These are obviously a bit more involved, but they do work. You can find them at almost any hair shop or Walmart. Simply put the head cap on before bed and then fit your CPAP mask over top of the cap. This will give you a comfortable mask fit without any pull on your hair what-so-ever.

Which CPAP Mask Cause Hair Loss

Most CPAP masks are designed to be as comfortable and effective as possible. The balance of comfort and effectiveness is the most difficult part of making CPAP masks. And because everyone has different preferences and features there are a ton of different style out there to choose from. Most of them feature fabric headgear that moves gently around the head without pulling or abrasion, while others have silicone frames that surround the head. The ones like the DreamWear cradle or the N30i have awesome features but may cause pulling of the hair. This is because the frame that delivers the air from the top of your head to the nose is silicone. For other CPAP users even the fabric headgear can pull hair. Using one of the Mask Frame Wraps can allow use of these CPAP mask options without the pulling of your hair.