17 Oct Understanding CPAP Hair Loss: Causes, Solutions, & CPAP Alternatives
What Leads to CPAP Hair Loss?
CPAP hair loss is not a primary concern for people who need assistance with their sleep apnea. Correcting sleep apnea should be the most significant consideration. In fact, CPAP hair loss isn’t even a primary side effect or symptom. It’s not rare, but it isn’t that common either.
The main cause of CPAP hair loss is from breakage, which occurs when the band that straps the mask to your face rubs the hair while you sleep and creates friction.
Tips for Preventing CPAP Hair Loss
Here’s what you can do to prevent further breakage and friction—the primary reason for CPAP hair loss.
Protect Your Crown
For people who use a CPAP, you can wear a bonnet, covering your head with all your hair, like you would with a shower cap. The layer of silk will be a protective barrier that prevents the mask strap from snagging your hair.
Add Padding to Straps
You can add extra padding to your CPAP mask straps. There are many strap padding CPAP accessories or covers available.
Treat Your Hair Well
If you’re dealing with hair breakage from wearing your CPAP, you can try strengthening and bond-fortifying hair masks to help strengthen your hair and prevent further breakage. Also, it might be helpful to let your hair completely dry before going to bed. Your hair is most fragile when it is wet.
CPAP Alternatives
There are plenty of people who want an alternative to CPAP because of many related side effects, including unwanted hair loss.
An excellent alternative is oral appliance therapy (OAT). OAT doesn’t involve a mask or strap to your head. It is a small, removable device that patients wear in their mouths to bed. These devices reposition the jaw and open the airway. Alternatively, CPAP forces the airway open with air.
OAT devices look and feel very similar to clear, plastic orthodontic retainers.
Get Started with Oral Appliance Therapy
If you’re interested in oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea as an alternative to CPAP, our TMJ & Sleep Solutions of Alabama team is ready to help you explore our comprehensive diagnosis and treatment options and get you back on track with healthy, restful sleep.
Call us today at (205) 874-9699 or contact us online to easily set up your first appointment. When you get in touch, don’t hesitate to ask our friendly staff members any questions you might have about insurance coverage, costs, treatment, and more.
Thanks for reading! Learn more about oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea on our blog.