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+--- Thread: mask cushion color change to yellow (/Thread-mask-cushion-color-change-to-yellow)
mask cushion color change to yellow - christian4870 - 10-30-2018
Hi,
I am using Dreamwear nasal mask and bought some spare cushions from different sources. I did not use this cushions (so they are unused/new), but a few of them changed the color to yellow after several month (6-12 month). I contacted philips and they can not explain why. Does somebody have the same problem? or can explain it? solve it?
Thanks, Christian
RE: mask cushion color change to yellow - jaswilliams - 10-30-2018
Light makes silicon discolour turn yellow, keep then in a dark place
RE: mask cushion color change to yellow - Big Guy - 10-30-2018
^^^^^^ What he said!
RE: mask cushion color change to yellow - Sleep2Snore - 11-01-2018
My ones turned yellow, they were in the dark, but they took over a year to turn yellowish.
RE: mask cushion color change to yellow - KSMatthew - 11-01-2018
Silicone just starts to break down after a while. My masks have blue silicone pads, and when the silicone starts to yellow, the gel begins to look green.
There might be additives that would prolong the life of the silicone pieces, but they'd probably have other side effects. That color change is pretty much a good indicator that the silicone is going to start losing some of its flexibility soon, too.
RE: mask cushion color change to yellow - Dog Slobber - 11-01-2018
Theres a topic on another forum that discusses rejuvenating silicone cushions and pillows by boiling them with baking soda.
I'm unsure if it's appropriate to link to other forums.
RE: mask cushion color change to yellow - Big Guy - 11-01-2018
I'm shooting for at least two months worth of use in regards to the silicone pillows on my mask. So far, it's holding up well and my mask gets cleaned daily with anti-bacterial wipes.
As long as it continues to provide an acceptable seal, it's not going to get replaced. I am being sent a new one though about every 30 days.
RE: mask cushion color change to yellow - jaswilliams - 11-02-2018
(11-01-2018, 08:41 PM)Big Guy Wrote: I'm shooting for at least two months worth of use in regards to the silicone pillows on my mask. So far, it's holding up well and my mask gets cleaned daily with anti-bacterial wipes.
As long as it continues to provide an acceptable seal, it's not going to get replaced. I am being sent a new one though about every 30 days.
The DME sends them every 30 days as that the time insurance will pay for a replacement not because it’s worn out contact them and tell them you will order supplies when you want them otherwise you and your insurance are wasting money
RE: mask cushion color change to yellow - dundematon - 05-29-2020
Yellowing has puzzeld me too. I've used dreamwear for now exactly 3 yrs. I just got new supply - I get year's supply at once: 1xframe, 2x cushions, 2xheadstraps,2xcheekfabrics, 12x filters and one slimline hose. Last year I got two frames. After 6 months I was about to change the frame and the cushion but they were yellow and greasy + somewhat hardened. I kept using the old ones and they still fairly ok after 12 months use. I think frame should last at least 2 years. Undernose cushions start to harden after 6 months. I store new (unused) and the old ones in dark place, so not UV. I get the new ones in resealable plastic bag - included dreamwear sticker. I think hospital gets them in bulk and that's why they are not in retail packaging. I'm sure they were new and white when I got them - same new smell. The half of the old ones have turned yellow and (siliconoil)greasy. Boiling them in baking soda wont soften them back new (done it twice) - like what happens to pure silicon toespacers. It almost feels like they were designed to go bad. I was thinking of sinking them in medical grade silicon oil. By the way I wash my s mask, hose (brush) and humidifier in baking soda + handdishwashsoap mixutre (green apple). It's like electronics - everybody knows that electronic devices operate on smoke - when the smoke comes out - it's gone. Seems like dreamwear works on yellow and grease.
Last year I got new headgear straps and they have been more durable but harder and therefore slippery (very short hair). You cannot get updated headgear with arms in Europe. Cheapest 23$ (ebay calif.) turn into 53€ when they arrive (high postage + VAT). For the first 2yrs I didn't have any leakage and now 95% is between 3-7 litres. I tightened the straps but it squeezed/blocked nose/higher pressure and front teeths were hurting really bad every morning.