Introduction: CPAP Cheek Pads

About: Open water swimmer, winter swimmer, dog mom, rabid diy'er, chronically ill.

So this getting old thing combined with chronic illness is just a shitshow, am I right? I started using a CPAP machine a couple years ago, but I also use a really firm side sleeper pillow to protect my injured shoulder...the result...subtle, but permanent indents in my face! This project is my second iteration, the first being too thick and causing leaks at the nose.

Supplies

For this project you'll need

  • a high quality 100% cotton flannel, I cut up a Patagonia shirt that no longer fits (another aging issue)
  • zip ties
  • scizzors
  • heat fusing tape
  • an iron
  • a sewing machine helps, but this could easily be done by hand

Step 1: Cut Up Your Fabric

Cut your flannel to an appropriate size to fold in half.

Step 2: Create a Crease

Fold your pieces in half and iron to create a crease.

Using your fabric as the template, cut the zip ties to fit. Also cut your fusing tape.

Step 3: Set Up and Iron

Lay out your ziptie pieces and the fusing tape and iron using high heat and firm pressure, on both sides.

Step 4: Clean Up You Pieces

Trim your pieces to tidy them up.

Step 5: Sew on the Straps

Create straps with scrap fabric or whatever, I already had this cotton tape. I sewed all the way around each pad and the trimmed them up.

Step 6: Enjoy a Less Indented Face!

Since I started using these, I wake up almost mark free and I'm looking forward to my subtle indents fading away! Can't wait to see your versions of this instructable and your indent free faces!

You can see I also made a pad for the top, to protect my hair from the rubbery silicone. I don't think it was pulling my hair out, but, my head looks less bald when i wake up since using it. The top pad doesn't use zip ties, it's just a triple thickness of the flannel.

Wash these by hand when you wash your mask and lay flat to dry.