Skull Indentations

I saw a topic on skull indentations from about a year ago and I wanted to respond to that question. I have been a cpap user for about 16 years. More recently, I have been using a nasal mask which has one of two straps which crosses the top of my head. Lately it has been causing more of an indentation to my skin and it has been more noticeable when I brush my hair. I'm sure some of if is because I'm losing some cushioning and elasticity as I age.

However, I decided to try an experiment this week which seems to have helped lessen the indentation. In order to spread some of the force of the top strap, I cut a small piece of light, thin, flexible cardboard from an empty box of tissues or a cereal box which is around 2" wide and about 8" long. At night, I have been slipping the piece of cardboard under the strap at the top of my skull, pointing from ear to ear. I rounded the corners so it does not snag. It seems to stay in place and it is not hot or in the way when I sleep. It is disposable and from stuff I already have.

I have noticed that it has decreased the noticeable indentation, so I just wanted to share this idea.

maybe the harness is too tight

If I survive 16 years of CPAP I think I would have the strap tension pretty well figured out.

Most images of the skull to be found online seem to have a trench across the top which is naturally the path that a strap would default to, especially if it was designed to do so.

I do believe that the strap indents the flesh to some extent and as we get older it is very slow to bounce back.

If I was more concerned about trenches I would certainly consider the above suggestion, although I already have issues with everything sliding around, so perhaps something non slip like a flexible silicone strip might serve to spread the effect of the strap.

I imagine the kitchenware people have something that could be adapted.

I have kind of gone the opposite way. My back strap on the Swift FX headgear tends to slip upward during the night. I have solved it by gluing (Shoe Goo) a strip of the hook side of a Velcro strip on the back. So far, I have been keeping my hair intact, but it does have to be removed carefully in the morning, or it may take a little hair along with it.

I tried a rubber cushion (glued on) and it worked for a while but then got shiny and slippery, probably from oil in my hair. The Velcro is more durable.