RE: First Night/Mask irritation
To PREVENT the red dots (I call them blood blisters) on my forehead which were CAUSED BY my Mirage Quattro Pro mask Forehead Pads, I used a leather punch to make the tiny hole go all the way THROUGH each Forehead Pad.
Note that the leather punch actually cuts out a little "core" in the silicone, allowing the free flow of air so the Forehead Pads no longer act like suction cups. (An ice pick would have allowed the silicone in the pad to reseal the hole, negating my purpose.)
Other tips I would offer: Shave before bedtime. Wash and dry face. Wash mask every few days using Baby Wash to remove grease. Replace seal, mask, and headgear as often as recommended by manufacturer. (Silicone and elastic both disintegrate quickly.)
RE: First Night/Mask irritation
I have had great luck with the pad a cheek liners--google them . I'm not a seamstress so I buy them . They are real nice and soft. The ffm forehead pad is covered by a very soft covering and an extra piece to cushion the nose.
My skin is very oily , I wash my face just before bed which cools my skin and removes the oil . But I was still cleaning my cushion with dawn every day to remove oil from the night.
The liner takes away the silicone feel ,keeps oil off the mask,wicks away the mask moisture, stops a lot of the mask leaks .
I now go 4-5 days between mask cleanings , then I wash the liner and mask in dawn . I have the amara and the mirage quattro mask-- same exact liner for each .
I air dry the liner on my lamp shade on night stand in the morning and it is ready to go that night. But I have one on my backup mask ready to go at all times. I do recommend them but I respect those who can make their own .
Pad-a-cheek--- I don't have any relationship with them --I'm just happy to have found them . I 'm just sharing my good results , I really haven't found any negatives - but they are not cheap -- I can't ask my busy good potter wife to try to make these either to save a few bucks.
RE: First Night/Mask irritation
I know this may seem counter intuitive, but the forehead can generally be very loose. Just barely tighten it. And remember, I went thru maybe 50 masks over ten years to find total comfort and 9 hours per night average. Don't give up. Your persistence is critical and it will pay huge dividends in you life and good health.