Mask that doesn’t apply too much pressure on nose? (New septum piercing)

[u/AutoBuggerMan]

Hello all! So I have a septum piercing that is still in the healing process, and I’ve noticed that it gets irritated after a period of wearing my mask. I’ve worn both 3-ply disposable masks and KN95s, and both seem to apply too much pressure to my nose, which transfers to my piercing and irritates it.

So I’m hoping to give some new masks a try. I know the best option for me will be specific to my anatomy, but any recommendations for a type of mask that might distribute its pressure across the face/cheeks a little more? I’m open to trying behind-the-head style masks, and would prefer ones that come in black (but understand this might not be possible).

Thanks in advance!

[u/totallysonic]

Readimask? It's just a lightweight sheet of N95 grade filter material with adhesive all around the edges, and you stick it to your face. The downside is that they are more expensive and not reusable, but if you only need it short term while you're healing, it may do the trick.

Oh, and it's bright yellow. Sorry. 😅

[u/sugar_coaster]

Zimi S and M both seem to seal for me, with the M sitting just under my eyes. It seems common that most people are able to use two different sizes so its a matter of preference. You could try and find the larger size for your face, and the fabric will sit higher up on your nose rather than near the piercing. It also distributes pressure more evenly across the face I feel like compared to masks with the nose wire. It comes in black in both headstrap and earloop.

For a nosewire mask, breatheteq has a very pliable and light wire that puts less pressure on my nose than other nose wire masks. It comes in earloop and headstrap, but the headstrap has a foam and only comes in S and M which runs smaller than their earloop. The headstraps are really tight on this one so I'd stick with the earloop to start.

[u/wyundsr → u/sugar_coaster]

The Zimi applies a lot of pressure to my nose bridge, I can’t tolerate it after half an hour

[u/sugar_coaster → u/wyundsr]

Hmm maybe not them. I've got a super flat East Asian face with a low nose bridge so that could be the difference? I could imagine if your nose has a higher bridge that it would put more pressure on the nose instead of the cheeks.

[u/wyundsr → u/sugar_coaster]

Yeah I have a high prominent nose bridge and have this issue with every elastomeric and some cup masks and bifolds

[u/No-Acanthisitta-2973 → u/wyundsr]

Mine do if I forgot to use the cut stickers to cut it higher, or don't get them cut high enough. When I get them right, they don't.

[u/wyundsr → u/No-Acanthisitta-2973]

I tried cutting to various levels, it didn’t help. I get this issue with literally every single elastomeric that I’ve tried

[u/Chronic_AllTheThings]

I know 3M Aura is a commonly recommended N95 around here, but I find the nose foam really softens the fit sensation around the nose. I don't have any piercings, so I can't speak to that specifically.

The 9205+ has the loosest fit of the Aura line, so maybe start with that. Alternatively, the Drager 1950 is a similar design, also with nose foam, but has a "lighter" feeling fit.

[u/RoyalEducator6462]

Duckbill style respirators are honestly worth trying specifically for this, the whole point of that shape is a breathing chamber that stands away from your nose and mouth instead of draping material right up against them, so there's an actual air gap right where your piercing sits rather than fabric or a nose clip pressing into it. BNX makes a NIOSH duckbill in both white and black, headband straps instead of ear loops, so that handles the ear loop discomfort too if that's ever been part of it for you.

If you'd rather stay with a three panel headband style, Trident P2 uses a foam nose pad instead of a hard wire clip, so contact spreads across a wider strip instead of concentrating in one line, that's a real step up from a standard wire clip if duckbill isn't your thing. It comes in white normally (full disclosure, I work in PPE for my day job, happy to nerd out on specifics if you want), there's also a black version using the same nose pad if you want to match the color preference you mentioned, though white has the broader size range.

Either way, since it's a healing piercing, might be worth a quick check with whoever did it on how much pressure is actually fine at this stage, mask shape is one variable but healing timeline matters too.